Pyalong Recreation Reserve trees

Due to COVID restrictions, we are limited in what activities we can carry out in person. A fact sheet and survey has been mailed to Pyalong properties.

There are a number of ways you can find out more or provide input.

• Read the summary here or download our summary fact sheet
• Read the full reports for more information if needed
• Take our online survey or fill in the hard copy survey
• Contact Council directly on 5734 6200 to discuss the project in more detail or ask any questions you may have.

If there is enough interest, we can host an interactive online information session where the CFA can discuss the report, you can ask questions and then you can let us know your preferred option once you’ve had a chance to review the information.

Need hard copies sent? Please call us on 5734 6200 to arrange for hard copy reports or surveys.

There is a substantial plantation of mature pine trees located along West Road and Northern Highway frontage of the Pyalong Recreation Reserve. In addition to the pines, there are a small number of indigenous trees throughout the plantation.

Residential housing and the Pyalong Primary School are located directly across from the reserve on West Road. The Pyalong township is principally spread to the south and east of the reserve.

Some members of the Pyalong community expressed its concerns about bushfire risk with the reserve’s proximity to the school and houses, and its status as a Neighbourhood Safer Place – Bushfire Place of Last Resort.

In 2019, the place-based community planning pilot project clarified and identified the level of community concern the pine plantation presented to the community.

As part of the community facilitation element of this project, Council convened an internal working group to investigate the bushfire risk and the associated costs for mitigation.

Country Fire Authority

The CFA conducted a detailed assessment to identify risk from the plantation and to recommend mitigation actions using the following approach and considerations.

• A calculation based on the Bushfire Attack Assessment standard tool (also used for
• assessing Neighbourhood Safer Places – Bushfire Places of Last Resort and Bushfire Attack Levels
• for construction).
• The vegetation is classified as “Forest” which equates to a fuel load of 35 tonnes per hectare. It is noted that the plantation is not forest, however a ‘Forest” classification was used and provided a worst-case scenario to conduct the assessment
• Noting the Pyalong Primary School buildings are over 100 metres from the plantation, this means radiant heat exposure is reduced.
• Modelling using two Fire Danger Index (FDI) scenarios; 100 FDI (Code Red) and 120 FDI
• (Code Red).
• A fuel load assessment for the reserve using a standard overall fuel hazard assessment.
• A desktop fire behaviour modelling exercise.

Assessment outcomes

• A fuel load hazard assessment rating of ‘Moderate’.
• The fire behaviour assessment indicates a ‘low likelihood’ and ‘low consequence’ from ignition in the plantation area.
• At a Fire Danger Index of 100 or more on a Code Red Day, the CFA assessment of the school site did not consider the buildings as high risk as they are well under the threshold of 10Kw/m2.

Based on the assessment, the CFA report recommends removal of ground fuels under the pines (i.e. windfall limbs and understorey plantings); and ‘uplifting’ via removal of pine tree branches up to two metres from ground level.

Conclusion

• While the plantation vegetation is not without bushfire risk, the assessments show the likelihood of fire and the level of radiant heat impacting the school on a Code Red Day is low.
• The recommended maximum radiant heat levels for sheltering in place within a building is 10 kW/m2 or less.
• Noting, that the school would not be operational or occupied on a declared Code Red day, complete removal of the plantation is not required from a bushfire risk perspective.

PowerCor

PowerCor conducted an on-site inspection to check span compliance and to identify any hazardous trees. They concluded that there was no need for tree removal works from a power asset protection or hazard reduction perspective. PowerCor has a regular inspection program.

Department of Education and Training (DET)

Summary advice includes:

• The Pyalong Primary School risk assessment conducted by DET determined the school would close on Code Red days.
• Their bushfire risk assessment is based on a range of factors. The proximity of the pine plantation is not a key consideration.

Options

The working group has considered three options:

Option 1: Take no action

Based on the low likelihood of fire and low consequence from ignition, do nothing

Option 2: Undergrowth management and some tree works

Remove undergrowth and undertake works on trees to reduce risks from uplift (removal of pine tree branches up to two metres from ground level)

Option 3: full tree removal

Remove 291 trees and conduct weed management and revegetation works

CFA RECOMMENDATION

CFA recommended that Council consider Option Two as the most appropriate option to achieve risk mitigation and help address community concerns about fire risk.