S5 Environmental is experienced in the conduct of Bushfire Hazard Assessment and the development of management and mitigation strategies and plans to address the bushfire risk.

Our assessment methodology follows the relevant State Planning Policy (including the Draft Model Code) and the relevant Local Government Planning Scheme Policy. The assessment utilises a fit-for-purpose methodology incorporating the New Methodology For State-Wide Mapping Of Bushfire Prone Areas In Queensland and the CSIRO’s Estimating The Potential Bushfire Hazard Of Vegetation Patches And Corridors. An Enhancement Of Queensland’s Methodology For State-Wide Mapping Of Bushfire Prone Areas. If required, S5 Environmental will also assess and provide guidance on the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) score for the development elements in accordance with Australian Standard 3959-2018: Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas.

Our approach generally involves quantitative and qualitative hazard/risk assessments of the site. The quantitative assessment includes a detailed site inspection to record and review of vegetation communities, slope and aspect.
The qualitative assessment will be based on the known or historic bushfire behavior of the subject land. The subsequent BAL Assessment aims to provide guidance to appropriate construction methodologies, approaches and materials. S5 Environmental will use this information to propose recommendations for bushfire buffering to the proposed development.

IN SUMMARY OUR BUSHFIRE HAZARD SERVICE INCLUDE :

• Natural Hazard Assessments – Bushfire
• Bushfire Management Plans;
• Fuel Load Assessments;
• Hazard Reduction Strategies;
• Fuel Reduction Burning Programs;
• Coordination of development, ecological and hazard management objectives;
• Hazard Mapping utilising GIS and AutoCAD platforms;
• Consultation and liaison with regulatory and other authorities; and
• Expert Witness Services.