Fire Management Plan
Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks
NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Sydney Region December 2004 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author of this plan was Paul Ibbetson. Significant contributions and advice were provided by Jennifer Bean.
The NPWS staff involved, Ross Bradstock, Jim Burrell, Martin O’Connell, Robert Sheaffe, Robert Bird, Bronwyn Conyers, Rob Newton, Julia Visser, Tony Prior, Julie Bourne, Afonse Duque-Portugal, Brad Ralph and Richard Pearce, all gave freely of their time and knowledge.
Advice and assistance was also provided by Matthew Jones, Danny Hirschfeld, Doug Benson and Anne Gaha.
Cover Photograph – View from Clark Island
This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Published by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Region, December 2004. Contact: PO Box 95, Parramatta, NSW 2124.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Department of Environment and Conservation
ISBN 0 731 365 100 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PLANNING AND CONSULTATIVE PROCESS
This Fire Management Plan (FMP) has been developed to provide direction for fire management activities, including bushfire prevention, suppression and mitigation activities, in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks (Botany Bay – Kurnell Precinct is covered by a separate FMP). This plan will emphasise the protection of life and property as well as providing direction for land managers in the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the Parks.
This plan provides detailed policies and actions for fire management which complement the Plans of Management for Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks. This plan also provides guidance to other fire authorities in the management of fires within the above areas and will provide guidance in terms of future reviews of bush fire operational and bushfire risk management plans.
The management of fire within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks have particular challenges as they incorporate small, fragmented areas of harbour and coastal foreshores and islands and a range of cultural sites, all adjacent to densely populated Sydney suburbs.
Various methods of fuel management will be implemented within the parks, including mechanical fuel removal and ecological and prescribed burns (when native regeneration is required). All fire management activities undertaken within the Parks will include: rehabilitation measures such as weed, sedimentation and erosion control, sustainability value of remaining unburnt vegetation for wildlife, effects of fire and smoke on residents, maintenance of biodiversity and the overall management effectiveness of the activity. The success of fuel reduction operations within the Parks will also rely upon the co-operation of the community. Neighbours will need to manage fuels near their own assets to complement work undertaken in the parks.
This Fire Management Plan was developed in consultation with neighbours, NSW Fire Brigades and the Environmental Officers of Manly, Mosman, Randwick and Woollahra City Councils. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of details from existing databases, additional information is continually being collected and management concepts and practices evolving. Therefore, it is proposed that this plan will be updated annually and reviewed in five years.
FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
In accordance with Sections 63 & 64 and Part 1, Section 3 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 and also in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974; the primary objectives for fire management in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are: • Protect human life and property both within the park and adjacent to it • To prevent the occurrence of unplanned bushfires on the Parks. • To suppress unplanned bushfires occurring on the Parks. • To minimise the potential for spread of bushfires on, from, or into the Parks.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks i • To protect from damage by bushfires all Aboriginal sites, Historic places and culturally significant features known to exist within the Parks. • Maintain species habitat and diversity, avoid local extinctions of native plants and animals and enhance the conservation of rare and endangered native plants and animals • Protect key natural assets, including fire sensitive habitats such as rainforest remnants
STRATEGIES FOR LIFE AND PROPERTY PROTECTION
Strategies for the protection of life and property from the effects of wildfires include: • Rapid suppression of wildfire. • The maintenance of fire breaks and trails along park boundaries in priority protection areas. • Fuel reduction through mowing, slashing or prescribed burning where indicated. • Community Fireguard will be promoted in neighbouring areas.
STRATEGIES FOR FIRE MANAGEMENT
Strategies for the prevention, detection and control of wildfire that are included in the plan are: • The suppression of wildfires in a manner that minimises the threat to human life and property, and that minimises adverse impacts on the natural and cultural features of the Park; • Appropriate locations will be managed as asset protection zones, with intensively managed fuel reduced areas around the assets; • Appropriate locations will be managed as strategic zones to limit the intensity of fire in strategic areas. • Monitoring of fuel levels within zones on an annual basis; • Co-operation with other fire authorities and local Councils to plan and implement fire management.
STRATEGIES FOR HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
Strategies for the protection of natural and cultural heritage include: • the exclusion of fire as far as practicable from areas with cultural heritage items that may be damaged by fire eg historic buildings, Aboriginal sites; • determine and implement appropriate fire regimes to maintain biodiversity (ie. the complex diversity of vegetation associations and structures), to prevent species or community extinction and to protect specific natural assets; • assessment of environmental impacts prior to any fire management works; • monitoring vegetation regeneration following fire events.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks ii PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Unplanned fire ignitions on the reserves, caused by humans, are progressively reduced over the planning period.
Fires occurring on a reserve are suppressed within appropriate control lines on the reserve, safely, with minimum environmental damage and cost effectively during the planning period.
Fires starting in a reserve are suppressed within the reserve and fires starting outside of a reserve are prevented from entering the reserve, safely, with minimum environmental damage and cost during the planning period.
No death or injury to persons, or destruction of property, caused by on park bushfires in the planning period.
Fire regimes are maintained within specified ecological thresholds across more than 50% of the area of each plant community on each reserve.
No significant decline of species populations (common or endangered) due to inappropriate fire regimes, suppression activities or other fire management works, occurs during the planning period.
No damage caused to Aboriginal sites, historic places and culturally significant features as a result of bushfires occurs during the planning period.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks iii CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1
1.1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE ...... 1 1.2 THE PLANNING ENVIRONMENT ...... 2 1.2.1 Fire Management Legislation ...... 2 1.2.2 Fire management policies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service...... 3 1.2.3 Local-Regional environmental plans...... 4 1.2.4 State environmental planning policies ...... 5 1.2.5 NSW biodiversity strategy ...... 5 1.2.6 Management objectives of the Parks...... 5 1.3 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED ...... 6 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PARKS...... 8
2.1 LOCATION ...... 8 2.3 BIODIVERSITY ...... 17 2.3.1 Flora...... 17 2.3.2 Fauna ...... 18 2.4 CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 20 2.5 RECREATIONAL USE AND FACILITIES ...... 20 3.0 THE BUSH FIRE ENVIRONMENT ...... 21
3.1 FIRE HISTORY AND FREQUENCY...... 21 3.1.1 Wildfires ...... 21 3.1.2 Prescribed burning...... 21 3.2 FIRE WEATHER ...... 22 3.2.1 Climate ...... 22 3.2.2 Conditions associated with wildfires...... 22 3.2.3 Conditions suitable for prescribed burns ...... 24 3.3 FIRE BEHAVIOUR POTENTIAL ...... 24 3.4 DAMAGE POTENTIAL ...... 25 3.4.1 Threats to human life and property...... 25 3.4.2 Tourism and recreation...... 25 3.4.3 Natural Heritage ...... 25 3.4.4 Cultural Heritage ...... 26 4.0 FIRE MANAGEMENT ...... 27
4.1 FIRE MANAGEMENT UNITS ...... 27 4.1.1 Bushfire Management Areas ...... 27 4.1.2 Bushfire Management Zones ...... 27 4.2 PROTECTION OF NEIGHBOURS, VISITORS AND FACILITIES ...... 28 4.3 EVALUATION OF CURRENT FIRE REGIMES ...... 29 4.4 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION...... 30 4.4.1 Principles and thresholds...... 30 4.4.2 Major Floral Communities...... 30 4.4.3 Threatened species of flora ...... 32 4.4.4 Threatened Flora Communities...... 33 4.4.5 Fauna ...... 33 4.4.6 Threatened species of fauna...... 33 SCIENTIFIC NAME ...... 34 Treatments...... 34 4.4.7 Fire regime strategies for biodiversity conservation...... 36 4.4.8 Distribution of biodiversity in fire management zones...... 36 4.4.9 Effects of fire suppression activities on biodiversity ...... 36 4.5 FIRE AND PEST SPECIES MANAGEMENT ...... 36 4.6 CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 37 4.6.1 Aboriginal heritage ...... 37 4.6.2 Historic Heritage...... 37
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks iv FURTHER OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 4.4...... 38 4.7 SMOKE MANAGEMENT ...... 38 4.8 SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES ...... 38 4.8.1 Fuel management ...... 40 4.8.2 Fire prevention...... 40 4.8.3 Fire Detection...... 43 4.8.4 Fire Suppression ...... 43 4.8.5 Guidelines for cooperative fire fighting arrangements ...... 43 THESE ARE MAN-MADE FEATURES THAT ARE AN ADVANTAGE TO FIRE MANAGEMENT...... 44 5.1 FIRE MANAGEMENT ACCESS ...... 44 5.2 FIRE MANAGEMENT UTILITIES...... 44 5.3 FIRE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES ...... 44 6.0 WORKS SCHEDULE...... 45
6.1 BIODIVERSITY WORKS SCHEDULE...... 45 6.1.1 Fire management research...... 45 6.1.2 Fire mapping and database management ...... 45 6.1.3 Monitoring fuel...... 45 6.1.4 Monitoring fire regimes and changes to biodiversity...... 47 6.2 OPERATIONS WORKS SCHEDULE ...... 47 6.3 INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS SCHEDULE ...... 47 6.3.1 Fire management access ...... 47 6.3.2 Fire management utilities...... 48 6.3.3 Fire management facilities...... 48 6.4 FIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION ...... 48 7.0 PLAN ADMINISTRATION...... 49
7.1 MANAGEMENT OF WORKS ...... 49 7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF SCHEDULED WORKS ...... 49 7.3 MONITORING FIRE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH ...... 49 7.4 PLAN REVIEW ...... 49
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks v 1.0 Introduction
Reserve Fire Management Plans are prepared to provide direction for park managers on the activities required to meet the fire management responsibilities of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). These plans detail policies and actions to prevent and control bushfires, manage bushfire risks and conserve biodiversity in areas under the management of the NPWS. They are based on analyses of fire history, vegetation and potential threats to life and assets within or adjoining a reserve.
Fire Management Plans contribute policies and actions to the development and review of reserve Plans of Management prepared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and Bush Fire Risk Management Plans prepared under Section 52 (1) of the Rural Fires Act 1997.
This plan is supported by the Sydney Region Incident Procedures which details the procedures and contact lists by which the Service will respond to fires and other incidents. These are revised annually.
1.1 Scope and purpose
Under the Rural Fires Act 1997, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS, or the Service) is a fire fighting authority and public (land management) authority and is responsible for the control and suppression of all fires on areas that it manages. This responsibility also extends to fuel management with the Service being responsible for the implementation of fuel management programs to protect life and property. The Service may also, under the Act, suppress or assist in the control and suppression of fires within eight kilometres of any land that it manages.
Section 50 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 sets up provisions for the establishment of Bush Fire Management Committees (BFMCs) with the task of developing and co-ordinating co-operative fire management between fire authorities across the state. The Service is a member of these committees which are responsible for the development of both co- operative fire-fighting and programs for the reduction of bushfire hazards.
Within the scope of this plan the Service is an active member of the Manly-Mosman and Eastern Suburbs District Bush Fire Management Committees.
Under Section 52 of the Rural Fires Act, each Bush Fire Management Committee is to prepare two kinds of bush fire management plans for the rural fire district or other part of the state for which it is constituted. These plans are:
• A plan of operations, and • A bush fire risk management plan.
This plan has been prepared for the various parcels of land that are gazetted under the NPWS Act 1974 as Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks.
Although separated by distance, they are all within Sydney Region and share the same characteristics; small fragmented areas, isolated by urbanisation and preserving remnant
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 1 vegetation that was once widespread within the Sydney region. The integration of these reserves into the one plan enables a unified planning approach.
The plans have been developed in consultation with neighbours, NSW Fire Brigades and the Environmental Officers of Manly, Mosman, Randwick and Woollahra City Councils.
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are home to endangered species, threatened populations and significant cultural heritage sites. The guidelines within this plan for the management of natural and cultural heritage have been based on written and local knowledge, flora and fauna database records, the current scientific understanding of fire adaptations and responses to fire of native flora and fauna, and the threat of fire and fire operations to cultural sites. These guidelines describe appropriate fire management practises to promote biodiversity and to protect threatened species and cultural sites.
1.2 The planning environment
1.2.1 Fire Management Legislation The NPWS has statutory obligations under the Rural Fires Act 1997 to protect life and property on its lands and to prevent fire from leaving its property. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 the NPWS is empowered with the authority to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of NSW.
This authority extends to the protection of heritage outside the reserve system and is given greater legislative backing through the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. High frequency fire resulting in the disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition has recently been listed as a key threatening process under this act and has important implications for fire management. These obligations, though not mutually exclusive, require a flexible approach to fire management.
The Service must give appropriate consideration in its fire management planning to the requirements of protection for both human life and property as well as the protection of the environment. Thus by its fire management policies the Service must not only safeguard the direct protection of human life, it must also ensure the protection, for future generations, of the natural and cultural values of NSW.
Under the Rural Fires Act 1997 the NPWS is a recognised Fire Authority. The Act provides for the authority to undertake appropriate measures to prevent fire from entering or leaving its estate. As a prescribed organisation the NPWS is required to implement the provisions of Bush Fire Management Plans. The Service can act to suppress fires up to eight kilometres from its reserve boundaries in collaboration with local fire brigades and park neighbours in accordance with provisions of local Bushfire Management Plans.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 2 Fire Brigades Act 1989 The NSW Fire Brigade (NSW FB) has the responsibility for the control of fires within fire districts under Section 5 of the Fire Brigades Act. Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks fall within Sydney Fire District.
Under Section 13 1a of the Act ‘an officer in charge of fire brigades is, as far as practical, to carry into effect any plan of operations in force under Section 52 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 in relation to the place where fire occurs’.
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 The Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 provides for the protection of all threatened plants and animals native to NSW (with the exception of fish and marine plants). One of the objects of this act is to ensure that the impact of any action affecting threatened species, populations and ecological communities is properly assessed. The act also provides for the conservation and recovery of threatened species and for the management of threats to species.
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Parts III and IV require the NPWS to consider any relevant planning instrument in relation to activities it proposes and under Part V to assess the impact of activities planned in relation to land for which it is the determining authority (eg national parks). The Regulation lists those factors which must be taken into account under Part V of the Act.
1.2.2 Fire management policies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service
NPWS Service policies concerning fire and fire management include the following: • Protect life, property and community assets from the adverse impacts of fire • Develop and implement cooperative and coordinated fire-management arrangements with other fire authorities, reserve neighbours and the community • Manage fire regimes within reserves to maintain and enhance biodiversity • Protect Aboriginal sites, historic places and culturally significant features known to exist within NSW from damage by fire • Assist other fire agencies, land management authorities and landholders in developing fire management practices to conserve biodiversity and cultural heritage across the landscape • The NPWS will work cooperatively with other firefighting authorities
The NPWS will meet its fire management and conservation responsibilities under the National parks and Wildlife Act 1974 by: • Maintaining and improving its fire management, suppression and response capability • Preparing fire management plans for all fire prone NPWS reserves • Ensuring that fire management strategies will protect natural and cultural heritage resources • Promoting appropriate fire regimes within NPWS reserves for the conservation of native plant and animal communities • Engaging in research for the conservation of native plant and animal communities
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 3 The NPWS will meet its fire suppression responsibilities under the Rural Fires Act 1997 by: • Being a member of the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee and district bushfire management committees where it has managed lands • Maintaining an effective and efficient highly mobile and skilled fire-suppression capability of personnel and equipment • Assisting in the preparation and implementation of bushfire management plans for the suppression of fire and mitigation of fire hazards across NSW • Entering into coordinated arrangements with other fire authorities to ensure a rapid and effective deployment of staff and resources to detect and control fires across NSW • Taking control of fires in accordance with the NPWS Wildfire Suppression Policy and district bushfire management committee plans of operations • Initiating appropriate fire suppression actions on all fires detected within all NPWS reserves and up to eight kilometres from NPWS reserve boundaries • Assisting other fire authorities, when requested, to suppress fires on tenures other than NPWS managed lands • Managing fires on NPWS reserves in accordance with the provisions of district bushfire management plans of operations and reserve fire management plans • Ensuring that appropriate arrangements exist with other fire authorities for cooperative and coordinated firefighting • Conducting fuel management programs in accordance with the provisions of district bushfire management committee risk management plans and reserve fire management plans • Training NPWS staff for appropriate roles in fire and incident management
Under plans of operations, the NPWS, when requested, will assist other fire authorities to extinguish fires on lands under their control, by providing personnel, information and equipment on the basis that: • The NPWS has not fully committed its own personnel and resources to fires on NPWS reserves • Sufficient resources will be held in reserve for the control of any fires that occur on NPWS reserves
1.2.3 Local-Regional environmental plans
The Councils responsible for areas adjoining both Sydney Harbour National Park and Botany Bay National Park (La Perouse Precinct) are Manly, Mosman, Woollahra and Randwick. Local Environmental Plans (LEP’s) and Regional Environmental Plans (REP’s) relevant to the parks include:
• Manly Council LEP, 1998 • Mosman LEP, 1998 • Woollahra LEP, 1995 • Randwick LEP, 1998 • Sydney REP
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 4 1.2.4 State environmental planning policies
State Environmental Planning Policies do not apply to land dedicated or reserved under the NP&W Act, however, the Service has adopted a process of environmental assessment, which is consistent with the principles for environmental protection outlined under various SEPPs. Following is a list of State Environmental Planning Policies relevant to Fire Management Planning within the Parks.
SEPP 4 Development Without Consent SEPP 14 Coastal Wetlands SEPP 19 Urban Bushland SREP 13 Sydney Harbour
1.2.5 NSW biodiversity strategy
The NSW Biodiversity Strategy (1999) has been adopted by the New South Wales Government and develops a collaborative approach to biodiversity conservation. It's over-riding goal is: "to protect the native biological diversity of NSW and maintain ecological processes and systems".
Inappropriate fire regimes has been identified as one of the nine types of threats to biological diversity that exist in Australia. This issue is targeted within the Biodiversity Strategy by Objective 3.4, 'Improve fire management regimes', and requires the following priority action (no. 43), ‘Manage fire in accordance with Ecologically Sustainable Development Principles’. In addition supporting actions (44 & 45) require ongoing research to be undertaken on the effects of fire on biodiversity and land management practices.
The NPWS is identified as a lead organisation in the achievement of this objective.
This document is intended to assist managers in achieving the above goals listed in the NSW Biodiversity Strategy.
1.2.6 Management objectives of the Parks The management of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are prescribed by objectives stated in the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. It is a requirement under the Act that no operations and actions are to be undertaken which are contrary to the plan of management.
The management objectives for Sydney Harbour National Park as outlined in the Plan of Management (NPWS, 1998) states: • Management of the Park as part of a system of lands which protect the natural and cultural heritage and scenic amenity of Sydney Harbour • Restoration and interpretation of the significant natural values of the park • Conservation of historic structures and their settings • Interpretation of a range of historic places which illustrate important aspects of Australia’s history, including: − The defence of Sydney and NSW − Immigration and quarantine
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 5 − The maritime history of Sydney Harbour − The history of public recreation on the harbour and its foreshores • Provision of outdoor recreation opportunities which are compatible with the protection of the natural and cultural values of the park and complement those available elsewhere in the centre of Sydney • Promotion of the park as an important, readily accessible recreational and educational resource for metropolitan Sydney.
The management objectives for Botany Bay National Park as outlined in the Draft Plan of Management (NPWS, 2002) states: • To make Botany Bay National Park a place of significance to all Australians and to contribute to their sense of identity as Australians • To develop the theme and symbolism of ‘meeting place’ between the land, the Aboriginal people and the people who have arrived in Australia since 1770 • To provide a lasting venue for recognition and celebration of Australian culture, especially indigenous culture • To protect, and where necessary rehabilitate, the landscapes, ecosystems, vegetation communities and faunal habitats of the park • To conserve historic features and significant cultural landscapes • To promote an understanding and awareness of the natural and cultural heritage of the park through appropriate events, story telling, gatherings and celebration • To recognise the relationship and dependencies of protected areas to their surrounding landscapes and communities by promoting a cohesive and holistic approach to the management of the natural and cultural heritage of Botany Bay
1.3 Definitions of terms used Most definitions described below come from the Australian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Glossary of Rural Fire Terminology (1997) Arson The deliberate ignition of any property or land with the intent to maliciously destroy or damage it, or with the intent to endanger the life of another person Aspect The direction towards which a slope faces. Slopes on a west to north- westerly aspect are the most hazardous during fire fighting operations. Assets at Risk The natural resources, cultural heritage, or improvements that may be jeopardised if a fire occurs. Examples include threatened species habitat, rainforests, forestry coupes, human-built structures or infrastructures, park information signs, transmission poles etc, and may also include scenic values (definition from NPWS Fire Management Manual 2004) Backburning A fire started intentionally along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire. Bio-diversity The variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and micro- organisms, the genes they contain and the eco-systems they form. Fine fuels Grass, leaves, bark, twigs less than 6mm in diameter. Fire behaviour The manner in which a fire reacts to the variables of relative humidity, wind direction and speed, terrain, vegetation type and fuel moisture. Fire behaviour An estimate of the likely patterns of fire spread, intensity and flame potential height for a given area. Fire control Feature of the landscape which can aid in fire suppression activities. advantage Advantages can be naturally occurring (eg water courses and rocky outcrops) or constructed (eg fire-trails and helipads).
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 6 Fire damage An assessment of the capacity of bushfires to cause damage to assets. potential Considers the bushfire behaviour potential, fire history & proximity of assets to sites of potential bushfire. Fire frequency The number of fires occurring at a given site over a selected period of time. Fire management All activities associated with the management of fire prone land. Fire regime The history of fire in a particular vegetation type or area, including the frequency, intensity and season of burning (season in this context refers to the time of the year in which the fire occurred). It may also include proposals for the use of fire in a given area Fire season The period of the year during which fires are most likely to occur, spread and do sufficient damage to warrant organised control. The core fire season in NSW is 1st October to 31st March of the following year. Fuel Any material such as grass, leaf litter and live vegetation which can be ignited and sustains a fire. Usually measured in dry weight tonnes per hectare. Fuel Management Modification of fuels by prescribed burning, manual removal, slashing, grazing, or other means. Hazard Reduction The reduction of average fuel weight over an area by burning (prescribed or wildfire), hand clearing, slashing, ploughing etc. The objective is to reduce the fuel thereby reducing the risk posed by unplanned fires. Intensity The energy output of a fire, usually measured in kilowatts per square metre. Planned Fires A bushfire burning in accordance with the specific management objectives for that area (see prescribed burn). Prescribed Burn The controlled application of fire under specified environmental and weather conditions to a predetermined area and at the time, intensity, and rate of spread required to attain planned resource management objectives. The purpose of a prescribed burn may be for fuel reduction, pile burning or ecological reasons. Synonymous with controlled burn, prescribed fire, scheduled fire and management burn. Prescription A written statement defining the objectives to be attained during a prescribed burn. It describes the desired extent, intensity, humidity, wind direction and speed, fuel and soil moisture under which the burn will occur. Protection Zone Areas managed at low fuel levels to protect assets. The area is left deliberately underscrubbed by either burning, mowing or slashing to provide a buffer against the effects of a bushfire. The width of the zones vary according to the bushfire hazard and type of facilities to be protected. Also known as Fuel Reduced, Low Fuel or Radiation Zones. ROTAP Rare or Threatened Australian Plant. This is a national listing of the significance and conservation status of rare or threatened Australian plants. Staging Area A location close to an incident where personnel and equipment are available. Striker A small 4WD fire tanker carrying approximately 400 to 500 litres of water for fire fighting purposes. Also known as a category 9 Fire Tanker. Unplanned Fires See Wildfire. Wildfire An unplanned fire. A generic term that includes grass fires, forest fires and scrub fires.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 7 2.0 Description of the Parks
2.1 Location
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are located on some of the peninsulas, headlands, foreshores and islands of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. The location of the Parks is shown on Maps 1, 2 and 3.
Sydney Harbour National Park was gazetted in 1975 with several subsequent additions. Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park was gazetted in 1989 with additions in 1996.
Both areas are administered by the Sydney Region of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Parks are surrounded by urban development and are within the local government areas of Manly, Warringah, Mosman, Woollahra (S.H.N.P.) and City of Randwick (B.B.N.P.) Councils.
The NPWS Sydney Region is comprised of four (4) Management Areas, with Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks falling with the Harbour North and Harbour South Management Areas. The Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks Fire Management Plan is structured accordingly.
Harbour North Area • Bradleys Head (including Chowder Head) • Clifton Gardens • Middle Head (including Georges Head) • Dobroyd Head (including Grotto Point) • North Head • Rodd Island • Goat Island • Clark Island • Shark Island
Harbour South Area • Nielsen Park (including Hermitage Foreshore) • South Head (including Gap Bluff and Green Point) • Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 8 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 9 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 10 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 11 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 12 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 13 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 14 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 15 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 16 2.2 Terrain Sydney Harbour formed approximately 6,000 years ago when the sea rose to its present level, drowning the Parramatta River Valley. The Hawkesbury sandstone terrain of steep hills, long narrow ridges, deep rocky valleys and intricately eroded cliffs typifies the landscape in the parks, which are mainly situated on some of the headlands that jut into the Harbour. The foreshores vary from sandy beaches to the sheer cliffs of the Sydney Heads. The highest point is 89 metres at North Head.
Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park has a flatter landscape with a few shallow valleys cut through the Hawkesbury sandstone. Sheer sea cliffs in the east give way to gentler slopes to Botany Bay. Soils are generally shallow with rock outcrops frequent although some areas have deep soils derived from the Holocene and Pleistocene sand dune systems which support the last significant remnants of the vegetation types that were once dominant throughout the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
The terrain in some areas of the Parks and most of the surrounding land has been modified since European settlement with dumping, levelling, quarrying, landscaping and modified drainage patterns associated with a variety of developments.
2.3 Biodiversity
2.3.1 Flora
Due to Sydney’s development into the largest city in Australia much of the natural vegetation of the area has been cleared. The remnant vegetation in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks is representative of some of the original plant communities which once formed the coastal vegetation of the Sydney Region. The Parks contain many plant communities and species that are now considered to be locally uncommon or vulnerable, being in some cases the last remaining remnants of that vegetation type.
The vegetation structure varies from heath on poorly drained, shallow sandy soils to woodland on exposed ridges & slopes and sheltered gully forests (see Appendix A – management area profiles for detailed vegetation community maps).
Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) has relatively large areas of remnant bushland amongst the industrial and suburban development of south Sydney. Of special note there (and also at North Head) is the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, which has been listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as an endangered ecological community.
Appendix B lists the most common vegetation associations found within the Parks grouped using the modified Specht classification (Specht 1981). They are grouped into communities and related to biodiversity thresholds in Table 4.3, Page 26. Six species listed as rare or threatened under the ROTAP system (Briggs and Leigh 1995) are known to occur in the Parks. These species, their conservation code and habitats, are listed and described in Table 2.1.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 17 Table 2.1 Rare and Threatened Flora Species in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks.
Species Legal Status Reserve / location Habitat Acacia terminalis Endangered North Head (incl. Quarantine Open sub.sp terminalis Station), Middle Head, Bradleys Forest Head, South Head (incl. Gap Bluff), Nielsen Park,. Allocasuarina Endangered Nielsen Park Closed portuensis Scrub
Eucalyptus Vulnerable North Head Open camfieldii forest
Gonocarpus ROTAP North Head, Heath salsoloides La Perouse Platysace ROTAP La Perouse Heath stephensonii Rulingia ROTAP La Perouse, Heath hermanniifolia Dobroyd Head, North Head.
Species considered to be regionally rare and considered to have a high conservation value include: the freshwater swamps at La Perouse & North Head and species such as Banksia aemula, Boronia parviflora, Melaleuca squamea, (Botany Bay - La Perouse Precinct NP) Erythrorchis cassythoides, Gymnoeschonus sphaerocephalus & Chorizandra cymbaria (North Head). It is important to retain these populations to maintain genetic diversity.
2.3.2 Fauna
The faunal habitats provided in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are diverse. However urban development, fragmentation of habitat and the introduction of feral species has greatly reduced the numbers and variety of species present.
Sixteen species occurring in the park have been listed under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. See Table 2.3 below
Table 2.3 Threatened Fauna Species in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks. Scientific Name Common Name Legal Reserve / location Status Chelonia mydas Green Turtle Vulnerable Little Congwang Beach (La Perouse) Crinia tinnula Wallum Froglet Vulnerable Henry Hilll & adjacent wetland (La Perouse) Haematopus Sooty Vulnerable Steel Point (Nielsen Park), fuliginosus Oystercatcher Henry Head (La Perouse)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 18 Haematopus Pied Vulnerable Shark Island longirostris Oystercatcher Lathamus Swift Parrot Endangered Ashton Park (Bradleys Head) discolor Litoria aurea Green and Endangered La Perouse Golden Bell Frog Macronectes Southern Great Endangered Store Beach (North Head) giganteus Petrel Miniopterus Common Bent Vulnerable Henry Head (La Perouse), shreibersii Wing Bat Georges Head (Middle Head) oceanensis Neochmia Star Finch Endangered Henry Head (La Perouse) ruficauda Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Vulnerable Nielsen Park, Quarantine Station, South Head Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Endangered North Head Bandicoot Pseudophryne Red-crowned Vulnerable Bradleys Head, Grotto Point, australis Toadlet Dobroyd Head Pteropus Grey-headed Vulnerable North Head poliocephalus Flying Fox Ptilinopus Superb Fruit Vulnerable Dobroyd Head superbus Dove Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern Vulnerable Ashton Park (Bradleys Head) Xanthomyza Regent Endangered Dobroyd Head phrygia Honeyeater
The many historic fortifications around the park provide potential habitat for insectivorous bat species. Miniopterus schreibersii (the Common Bent Wing Bat) has been identified as overwintering at La Perouse and Middle Head.
Litoria aurea (the Green & Golden Bell Frog) was recorded at La Perouse in the early 1990’s and may still be present. Populations of Pseudophryne australis (Red-crowned Toadlets) are resident on Bradleys Head, Dobroyd Head and Grotto Point in ephemeral drainage lines.
North Head has resident colonies of Perameles nasuta (Long-nosed Bandicoot), and Eudyptula minor (Little Penguins). These are among the few remaining colonies in Sydney (NPWS, 1996) and are listed as endangered populations under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
Strategies for these species are referred to in 4.4.6.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 19 2.4 Cultural Heritage
The parks are highly significant for their cultural as well as natural attributes.
Up to 132 Aboriginal sites are recorded within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks and include shell middens, axe grinding grooves and rock engravings. Records of these sites are held by the Cultural Heritage division of NPWS.
As the site of the first colonial settlement in Australia, European sites of cultural significance are abundant throughout the parks.
The remains of the many military installations built between 1788 and 1945 exist along the coastal ridges at Bradleys Head, Georges Head, Middle Head, Dobroyd Head, North Head, Henry Head, South Head and Nielsen Park.
Other heritage assets within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks include the buildings which form the Quarantine Station at North Head, Greycliffe House at Nielsen Park, Athol Hall on Bradleys Head, residential buildings at Middle Head and South Head, the Cable Station at La Perouse, the netted swimming enclosure at Shark Beach, Dressing Pavilion, equipment sheds and picnic gazebos.
A full list of cultural and heritage sites and their locations is found in Appendix F.
Operational activities at cultural heritage sites will be in accordance with details in Sections 3.4.4, 4.6 and details in the Management Area Profiles.
2.5 Recreational use and facilities
Located on one of the worlds most famous waterways within a city of 4 million people the National Parks provide an important recreational resource for the people of Sydney and the many tourists that visit each year.
The magnificent scenery of the harbour peninsulas, islands and parks and rugged coastline offer many recreational opportunities - bushwalking, sightseeing, beaches for swimming and picnicking, opportunities for fishing, boating and sailing.
Sydney Harbour National Park also plays a significant role in major events such as the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and the Australia Day and New Years Eve celebrations.
Facilities throughout the parks include picnic tables, changing sheds, lookouts, picnic shelters, toilets, walking tracks, interpretive signs and car parks.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 20 3.0 The Bush fire environment
3.1 Fire history and frequency
The fire regimes in Sydney since European settlement are very different to those prior to 1788. Fire has been excluded from many areas for long periods of time, while others burn frequently.
Record keeping of fires in the Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks commenced in 1977. Records of fires that occurred before each area was included in the National Park reserve were gained from anecdotal evidence and newspaper reports (ERM Mitchell McCotter 1996). Known fire events are listed in Management Area Profiles (Appendix A), however they should be regarded as indicative only because of the incomplete record. Consequently, fire history maps have not been included in this plan.
The cause of fires within the Parks is now exclusively related to human activities - camp fires, arson, marine flares, prescribed burns, etc. The ignition points of wildfires are mostly unrecorded. Records of fire events suggests that ignition is related to the ease of public access, certain road and track side points being particularly favoured, for example Happy Valley at La Perouse, Cobblers Beach at Middle Head and access tracks at Dobroyd Head.
As a result of this planning process, records of all known wildfires and prescribed burns in the park areas have been collated and stored on the NPWS ArcView GIS Database. Future records will be maintained in the Sydney Region Office, Central Directorate and PARKOPS as per NPWS recording protocols.
3.1.1 Wildfires
Some parts of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks experience frequent, usually small scale fires that are deliberately or accidentally lit by humans, a function of the proximity of the Parks to urban areas. This proximity also means that fires are generally detected quickly and extinguished before they spread.
Middle Head and parts of Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) have experienced the highest incidence of wildfire. The reserves that have had the largest areas burnt during single fire events are Dobroyd Head (61 ha), Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) (60ha) and Middle Head (45 ha). This can be attributed to the flammable heath vegetation combined with the steep slopes found in these reserves.
The Harbour islands, Nielsen Park and South Head have had no significant wildfires in at least 30 years. This can be attributed to past management practices such as the removal of the original vegetation from much of their area, the altered nature of any remaining vegetation and the rapid suppression of any fire event.
3.1.2 Prescribed burning
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 21 Generally there is limited information available about prescribed burns in the various reserves prior to their inclusion in the Parks. Some areas are known to have been burnt to achieve hazard reduction eg. much of Chowder Head and Ashton Park (now Bradleys Head) was burnt every couple of years through the late 1960s and early 1970s by the controlling authority of the time, Mosman Council.
In recent years a number of prescribed burns have taken place within some reserves as part of on-going programs of weed control and Bush Regeneration with fuel reduction usually a secondary objective. This procedure, mainly pile burning, has been successful in aiding the control of bitou bush and the regeneration of native plant species at La Perouse.
All known prescribed burns are noted in the Fire History section of the Management Area Profiles (Appendix A).
3.2 Fire weather
3.2.1 Climate
The climate of the Region is warm temperate. Sydney has a warm and wet Summer- Autumn season and a cool and dry Winter-Spring season.
The mean annual rainfall is 1220mm, with rainfall occurring on average 105 days per year. The main source of rainfall is storms, mostly from the south (SE-SW) but occasionally from the north at night. These predominate between January and July, during which time 70% of the annual rainfall occurs.
Mean summer and winter temperatures are 25° C and 16° C respectively. Daily mean maximum temperature exceeds 30° C on 14 days of the year (between September and April) and is less than 15° C on only 15 days (April to October).
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are affected by synoptic pressure patterns which govern upper-atmosphere winds. During the summer, north-easterly and easterly winds predominate, bringing moist humid conditions. Winter winds are from the west and south, resulting in dry to moist conditions (Prior, 1996; Dept. of Meteorology, 1997).
3.2.2 Conditions associated with wildfires
In Sydney wildfires have been more frequent during the months when the evaporation rate exceeds precipitation (September to December) than during the rest of the year, as shown in Figure 3.1.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 22 18
16
14
12
10
8 No. of Fires 6
4
2
0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Month
Figure 3.1. Number of wildfires occurring in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks in each calendar month, 1980 -1996.
Extreme fire weather conditions occur when drought conditions coincide with days of strong north-westerly winds. This is most likely to occur in this Region in the months of November, December and January.
As ignitions within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are predominantly arson or accidental they may occur at any time of year. There is a greater risk of ignitions during periods of high public usage of the Parks eg school holidays.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 23 3.2.3 Conditions suitable for prescribed burns
A prescribed fire is one that has been planned to achieve a management purpose, either the reduction of fuel levels, for biodiversity management or for experimental purposes. In the majority of cases the type and location of prescribed fire for hazard reduction purposes will not be the same as that required for conservation purposes (Bradstock and Scott, 1995), therefore different prescriptions for different purposes are required.
The most favourable periods for prescribed burning occur when there is: • dry surface fuels (moisture levels of 10-20%) ; • a high level of moisture recovery in fine fuels at night; • a low probability of dry north-westerly winds.
Prescribed burns are predominantly conducted in the spring and autumn months ie. outside the summer fire danger weather period. Weather conditions during these months can vary greatly from year to year and planned burns may be delayed due to unsuitable weather. Conditions during winter are usually regarded as being too cool and damp for effective prescribed burns.
Conroy (pers. comm) recommends spring and late summer as the preferred times for prescribed burning in the Sydney Basin, due to the frequency of atmospheric temperature inversions in autumn which tend to trap smoke close to the ground. Management of smoke must be considered a high priority within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks when planning prescribed burns and liaison is required with many organisations in planning and implementing prescribed burns.
Special Fire Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology and these will be consulted prior to any prescribed burn taking place.
3.3 Fire behaviour potential
Bushfire behaviour potential is a relative term used to describe the likely behaviour of any bushfire. The main determinants of fire behaviour are topography, vegetation type, fuel level and arrangement and weather conditions.
The highest bushfire behaviour potential occurs in areas containing heavy loads of elevated fuels on steep, dry, north to north-westerly facing slopes or exposed elevated plateaux which are subject to periods of hot, dry, windy weather.
The vegetation of the Parks was mapped by structure and association (Specht 1981). The maps were used for the preparation of strategies for biodiversity conservation and in the computer based modelling of bushfire behaviour potential.
It is possible to combine many of the different vegetation types into major fuel groups based on their effect on fire behaviour. The vegetation of the Sydney region has been described as belonging to one of five major fuel groups (Conroy 1998). These are; grassland, shrubland, woodland, open forest and rainforest. The distinction between types is not always clear cut. Fuel levels are assigned to each of these groups for the modelling process.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 24 The vegetation and fuel types are described in Appendix C.
3.4 Damage potential
Damage potential is a term used to describe the likelihood of a bushfire causing damage to an asset.
3.4.1 Threats to human life and property
The potential threat to human life is regarded as the most important of all bushfire threats and the highest priority is given to the protection of life and adjoining property.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that historically little damage to life or adjoining property has been caused through fire in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks although considerable potential exists. Residences adjacent to areas of high bushfire potential must be considered as being most vulnerable.
The Reserve boundaries generally have a control line (either the coastline, fence line, trails or slashed areas). The exception to this is the Upper Clifton Gardens. These control lines will assist NPWS to prevent fires escaping from the Reserve.
3.4.2 Tourism and recreation.
The National Parks of the Sydney Region provide a significant contribution to the appeal of the area to tourists and tourism is an important component of the economy of Sydney.
Bushfires may threaten recreational values in a number of ways including: • damage or destruction of facilities; • temporary closure of areas during bushfires; • longer term closure of damaged or rehabilitating areas; • alteration of the aesthetic appeal of an area, either temporarily (eg blackened bushland) or longer term through erosion, etc.; • alteration of vegetation structure and type.
3.4.3 Natural Heritage
Historically fire has been excluded from some areas for many decades while other areas have been burnt every few years. Both extremes eventually lead to a loss of floral (and consequently faunal) biodiversity. Fire events may influence weed infestations and, if followed by a rain event, may lead to erosion problems in some places.
The threat to fauna and flora is less from a single wildfire than it is from inappropriate fire regimes (ie. the combination of fire frequency, fire intensity, season, etc.).
While knowledge of the most suitable fire regimes for particular vegetation communities is far from complete there is sufficient evidence to offer broad guidelines. These are outlined in section 4.4.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 25 The preparation of an appropriate Environmental Assessment (in the form of a Review of Environmental Factors or an application under the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code 2003) prior to any prescribed burn or other fire management works should address all possible threats to endangered or vulnerable fauna, plants or communities.
3.4.4 Cultural Heritage
Bushfires can cause damage to historic sites, either directly or indirectly. It is imperative that the locations of historic and cultural sites be known as far as is possible to minimise any impacts that fires and fire management can have on them. Historic sites are listed in Appendix F and in the Management Area Profiles.
Aboriginal heritage sites in the parks are of three broad types. 1. Rock engravings - can be affected by high intensity fires causing exfoliation or splitting of the sandstone surface, or marked by falling trees. 2. Art sites - affected as above, although more vulnerable to damage by exfoliation due to the thin layer of rock actually pigmented. 3. Shell middens - can be exposed to erosion after fire.
Fire management activities can cause damage to heritage items through construction of fire trails and helipads, driving of fire vehicles over sites and inappropriately placed control lines.
Timber buildings are especially vulnerable to destruction by fire. Goat Island, Rodd Island, the Quarantine Station and Middle Head all have historically significant timber buildings that must be protected from fire.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 26 4.0 Fire management
4.1 Fire Management Units
4.1.1 Bushfire Management Areas
Each of the precincts in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks has been divided up into Fire Management Areas which have boundaries based on geographical and infrastructure features. They have been identified as convenient divisions for descriptive and fire control purposes. They are defined in the Fire Management Area Profiles (M.A.P.s), detailed in Appendix A, with accompanying maps showing their position within the reserves.
Fire Management Areas are not burning blocks. Prescribed burning may be applied only to certain sections of these areas when required.
4.1.2 Bushfire Management Zones
Bushfire Management Zones are defined areas within the Parks for which specific fire management objectives and strategies have been developed. Within this plan the Zones are described within the context of each Management Area and specific information for each Zone is in the Management Area Profiles (Appendix A). The zones are also shown on the accompanying maps.
The zones used in the Plan are adapted from the fire management zoning policy of the NSW NPWS as defined in the Guidelines for the Preparation of Reserve Fire Management Plans (NPWS 1998). The Coordinating Committee has adopted a similar zoning policy. The NPWS zones will be reflected in the local Bush Fire Risk Management Plan.
The description and objectives for each Zone, as well as the generalised prescriptions and methods to be applied to each, are laid out in the table 4.1
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 27 Table 4.1 Fire management zones, their objectives and descriptions.
Zone Suppression Prevention & Strategies Width Comments Objective Mitigation (methods) Objectives Asset To protect To instigate, where Fuel managed by Variable Should Protection residential areas, appropriate, slashing, selective and applied operate in (APZ) crops, plantation, community shrub removal, according to conjunction utilities, camping education and construction of slope, with areas, day use areas, community fireguard radiation barriers, aspect, Community urban interface, programs trails and burning vegetation Fireguard cultural heritage as well as assets etc Fuel not to exceed 5 DBFS t/ha guidelines Strategic To assist in the Promotion of the Fuel managed by Variable Fire strategic control and Service’s fire burning, slashing, Management containment of management and selective shrub Zone wildfires fuel management removal, (SFMZ) activities construction of To reduce wildfire radiation barriers intensity and and trails spotting intensity Suppress or contain fires inconsistent with the fire prescription
Fuel not to exceed 15t/ha Heritage To apply fire Promotion of Fuel managed by Variable Area prescriptions awareness of the burning Management consistent with special values Zone broad area requiring protection Suppress or contain (HAFMZ) biodiversity in these areas fires inconsistent objectives or with the fire regime relevant status prescription
4.2 Protection of neighbours, visitors and facilities
The majority of the reserves within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park adjoin residential areas or areas with other significant assets eg Dept. of Defence land.
There are a number of hazard reduction techniques used within the Sydney Region to assist in the reduction of fuel loads. A combination of these techniques is often used to assist in overall fuel management.
• Prescribed burning. This method has been utilised for some time in many places as the prime method of fuel and hazard reduction. However there are a number of drawbacks with this method, particularly in such an densely urbanised environment as Sydney. Frequent fires are discouraged for biodiversity conservation management purposes. Smoke management and the preservation of scenic amenity are other key considerations to the Sydney Region. • Mechanical works. Hand removal, slashing and mowing of vegetation are all viable alternatives for small areas. They can be effective fuel management tools in the short and longer term, providing fire protection while maintaining biodiversity and cultural heritage values and avoiding many of the problems of large prescribed burns.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 28 • Pile burns ie. the burning of piles of weeds or other vegetation can help to reduce fuel loads on a small scale and promotes the germination of many types of plants.
In the case of an endangered species of plant or situations where burning is difficult the removal of an area of leaf litter to expose bare soil may successfully promote germination of seed stored in the soil and avoid the need to burn (Cranny 1999). In addition, hand weeding using Bush Regeneration techniques encourages the regrowth of native vegetation and minimises the area disturbed, so fewer weeds recolonise the area.
Protection of life and property adjoining Parks can be greatly enhanced by the awareness and preparations of neighbouring residents. Education, through the formation of Community Fireguard Groups with neighbours, the NSW Fire Brigade, local Councils and other interested parties is recommended. The aim of such groups is to increase awareness of fire behaviour, assist in its early detection, explain and encourage practices that will reduce risks to life and property and to increase understanding of the NPWS fire hazard reduction activities.
4.3 Evaluation of current fire regimes
Fire history for the Region is incomplete in as much as accurate locations and extents of fire events have not always been recorded. Available data is presented in the Fire History sections of the M. A. P.s (Appendix A). These will be used to determine, as far as possible, whether biodiversity thresholds have been breached and for determining fire management strategies.
Many parts of the Parks have experienced few major fires in recent years and most wildfires have been suppressed quickly, usually before a large area has been burnt. Because of this about half of the reserve areas in this Region have not been burnt for many years, leading to areas of old-age (senescent) vegetation, a rare characteristic in parks around Sydney (Conroy, 1996) eg Nielsen Park, Banksia ericifolia heath at North Head. It is likely that biodiversity will be compromised where the fire is excluded for periods exceeding the thresholds for those communities. This senescent vegetation, with weed invasion (particularly in the understorey) and a marked shift from dry sclerophyll heath and woodland to more mesic plant communities is characteristic of many vegetation communities in the area.
Some areas of vegetation have burnt frequently in the recent past, primarily as a result of arson. Fire frequencies for these areas are usually close to or beyond the thresholds for those vegetation communities and a loss of biodiversity can be expected, eg parts of Upper Clifton Gardens, Middle and Dobroyd Heads, and Happy Valley at La Perouse.
All recent prescription burns undertaken have been pile burns involving small areas and have had only very localised effects on vegetation.
Some parts of the Parks have been adversely affected by a number of other disturbance events (eg. stormwater run-off) and fire frequencies beyond the suggested biodiversity thresholds may be of relatively less importance than these other factors.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 29 4.4 Biodiversity conservation
4.4.1 Principles and thresholds
In practical terms, biodiversity conservation is about the prevention of the extinction of species, especially extinctions brought about by the action of humans. An aim of fire management within the Parks is to maintain species and community biodiversity. This is supported by the objective of keeping the fire regimes of each plant community within the appropriate thresholds for maintenance of biodiversity.
Contemporary ecological research in fire-prone ecosystems of the kind represented in the Parks has established some general principles about the fire regimes needed to avoid the extinction of species and thus conserve biodiversity.
1) Groups of plant and animal species respond similarly to fire according to the characteristics of their life history (Bradstock, Keith & Auld 1995). Therefore it is usually not necessary to specify individual fire regimes for every species. The requirements for most plant species can be summarised on the basis of broad groups. Knowledge of requirements for groups of animals is less advanced.
2) Animals and plants are interrelated as plants form an important component of habitat for animals. Fire management must consider this interaction.
3) A diversity of fire regimes may be needed to maintain native biodiversity. This means that over time there is a place for fires of high, low and moderate intensity, frequency and size. Extinctions may be likely when fire regimes of relatively fixed intensity, frequency and extent prevail without interruption.
4) For some groups of biota, thresholds separating desirable and undesirable fire regimes for conservation can be defined. Management should therefore be targeted toward desirable fire regimes using these thresholds as a guide. Assessment of fire regimes through mapping of the locality and characteristics of all fires occurring will be ongoing so that fire regimes can be regularly reviewed, refined and adjusted. Depending on the circumstances (a function of community type and prevailing fire regimes) there may be a role for both prescribed fire and/or fire exclusion in parts of any given reserve.
The inter-relationships between vegetation and fauna and fire cannot be over- emphasised, as each has both immediate and lasting effects on the other.
4.4.2 Major Floral Communities
The major plant associations found within the Sydney Harbour and Botany region are listed in Appendix B. The sites where these associations occur are listed in the Management Area Profiles and have been mapped on the NPWS GIS database.
Those associations were grouped into broad communities based on Benson and Howells classification (Benson & Howell 1994). Table 4.2 shows the biodiversity thresholds for
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 30 fire frequencies in these communities. These thresholds should be used as a guide in the development of fire management strategies.
Table 4.2 Biodiversity thresholds for fire frequencies for the Broad Vegetation Groups found in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks. (based on Bradstock, Keith and Auld (1995), Bradstock, pers. comm.) Vegetation Broad Vegetation Decline in biodiversity predicted if: Community Grouping
Coastal Sandstone Shrubland -Heath Heath Complex • more than two successive fires occur at less & than 8 years apart. Coastal Dune Heath • more than two successive fires occur at (VEG TYPE A) intervals of more than 15 years apart. • there are no fires for more than 30 years.
Sydney Sandstone Dry Forest Ridgetop Forest Complex • more than two successive fires occur at less & than 5 years apart. Coastal Dune Forest (VEG TYPE B) • there are no fires for more than 30 years.
Sydney Sandstone Wet Sclerophyll Gully Forest Forest • successive fires, of any intensity, occur less than 50 years apart. (VEG TYPE C) • no high intensity fire occurs for 100-200 years.
Coastal Wetlands Freshwater Swamp • any fire event occurs. (VEG TYPE D)
A variable fire regime within the above thresholds is required to avoid species decline, and this requires varying fire frequency, intensity, season and pattern of burn.
A number of communities occur in some of the Harbourside reserves where the native plant Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) has become the dominant species, sometimes in association with Glochidion ferdinandii (Cheese Tree). These communities are referred to in the M.A.P.s but not considered in the vegetation communities listed above. They are discussed further in Section 4.7.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 31 4.4.3 Threatened species of flora
The threatened plant species likely to require a high level of management during a fire event are listed in table 4.3. Complete information is not available for all of these species and the information presented is the current state of knowledge.
Table 4.3 Biodiversity thresholds for fire frequencies for the ROTAP species found in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks. Scientific Name Treatments
− Killed by high intensity fires (100% scorch), resprouts after low intensity fire Acacia terminalis − Primary juvenile period 3-6 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 50 years sub.sp terminalis − Recruitment of new plants is by germination from soil seed bank after fire (Endangered) − Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’ − Appears to be fire sensitive, obligate seed regenerator. Allocasuarina − Primary juvenile period 5 years or more, lifespan / seedbank unknown (NPWS portuensis 1999) (Endangered) − Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’ Eucalyptus − Plant establishes only in mature community, not after disturbance camfieldii − Survives 100% scorch, resprouts from lignotuber and buds after fire (Vulnerable) − Primary juvenile period unknown, lifespan / seedbank over 100 years Gonocarpus − Killed by 100% scorch, obligate seed regenerator salsoloides − Primary juvenile period is 1-3 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 30 years (ROTAP) − Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’ Platysace − Probably resprouts after low intensity fires stephensonii − Primary juvenile period unknown, lifespan / seedbank up to 10 years (ROTAP) − Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’ − Killed by 100% scorch, obligate seed regenerator Rulingia − Primary juvenile period 2 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 10 years hermanniifolia − Germinates vigorously after fire (ROTAP) − Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’
Where fire regime requirements for the species listed above are known and differ from the regime to be applied to the surrounding vegetation, site-specific fire management strategies will be prepared to improve the viability of the local population.
The occurrence of any of these species in a reserve is listed in the relevant Management Area Profile.
The endangered plant, Allocasuarina portuensis, has been recorded only in Nielsen Park. At present only two female plants survive from the original population. Numbers of seedlings have been planted throughout the reserve, however the genetic integrity of these seedlings is still under investigation. It is possible that altered fire regimes have affected the populations of this Allocasuarina species. Research into the effects of fire on the species and it’s recruitment has been advised in the Recovery Plan (NPWS 1999).
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 32 4.4.4 Threatened Flora Communities
The ecological community known as Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) was formerly widespread between Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, covering about 7000 hectares (Benson & Howell 1990). Approximately 40 hectares still exists in a number of scattered patches throughout North Head and La Perouse Precinct, the largest being in Jennifer Street Lands in Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park. ESBS was listed on Schedule 1, Part 3 of the TSC Act in 1997 as an endangered ecological community and a recovery plan is in preparation. It’s biodiversity thresholds for fire appear to correspond to vegetation type A (ref. Table 4.2) (Benson, pers. comm., Hirschfeld, pers. comm.)
A number of other vegetation communities within the Parks are considered to be regionally significant as they are now uncommon or endangered in the Sydney area, although more common elsewhere. They include wetlands, ephemeral and permanent, (Botany Bay & North Head) and old age Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia (Heath Banksia) heath at North Head. These communities are listed in the relevant Area Profiles.
4.4.5 Fauna
The Parks of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) are small, fragmented remnants of the original vegetation communities and provide limited resources for the survival of fauna. Many species that were present prior to European settlement have disappeared.
Changes that disadvantage species quickly reduce populations and the isolated nature of most of the Parks means that there is limited opportunity for movement of animals back into an area, leading to local extinction.
While fire may be a direct cause of death to animals through heat the greatest effect is caused by changes to habitat and the availability of food, shelter and breeding sites. It is necessary to maintain a diversity of vegetation cover and structure to conserve viable animal populations. Thus it is important that any individual fire, or combination of fires within a short period of time, should not completely burn the local extent of any vegetation community. Generally, any broad scale fire event is to be avoided.
4.4.6 Threatened species of fauna A number of threatened species of migratory birds have been recorded in the Parks but are not discussed here as their mobility will generally allow them to escape fire events or their preferred habitat is unlikely to be affected by fire.
The remnant populations and species that are likely to require either protection from or a high level of management during fire are listed below.
Table 4.4 Threatened Fauna Species found in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 33 Scientific Name Treatments Chelonia mydas Green Turtle − Unlikely to be affected by fire (Vulnerable) − Low intensity fire is believed to have little impact on this species − Fire is likely to have an impact on this species if critical habitat is damaged or Crinia tinnula removed Wallum Froglet − An increase in the fire frequency may cause a build up of sediments in small (Vulnerable) ponds used for breeding, and also reduce the dense nature of the surrounding coastal heathland vegetation used as habitat Eudyptula minor − Feeds in bays and coastal seas. Breeds on rocky cliff bases & vegetated sand dunes Little Penguin − Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat – fire likely to be detrimental to (Endangered) this species (removal of important habitat used for breeding) Haematopus − Adults and habitat unlikely to be impacted by low to moderate intensity fires fuliginosus (unless fire comes in close proximity to breeding individuals) Sooty Oystercatcher − Avoid fire, especially high intensity fires within habitat during the breeding (Vulnerable) season (October to January) Haematopus − Fire unlikely to impact on adults due to the species largely foraging within longirostris unvegetated habitat Pied Oystercatcher − Protect undisturbed sandy beaches used for breeding and estuarine flats for feeding (Vulnerable) from fire − Maintain a mosaic of age classes within habitat − Avoid frequent, high intensity burns within known / potential habitat Lathamus discolor − Avoid fire within known habitat during the breeding season (September to Swift Parrot December) (Endangered) − Burns should be of low intensity so as not to reduce the abundance of wintering flowering eucalypts or reduce the flowers available to the species − Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat during the summer breeding Litoria aurea season Green and Golden − Avoid the use of foams / retardants within 100 metres of potential / known habitat Bell Frog − Avoid high intensity fires within / adjacent to known habitat to avoid siltation of (Endangered) breeding areas Macronectes giganteus − Fire unlikely to affect this species Southern Giant Petrel (Endangered) Miniopterus − No burning or slashing around maternity caves shreibersii − Avoid fire and smoke within known habitat during the breeding season (Oct - Common Bent Wing Nov) Bat − Avoid burning 100% of known foraging habitat to avoid loss of diversity and (Vulnerable) number of prey – mosaic burn Neochmia ruficauda − Inhabits tall grass adjacent to swamps and rivers Star Finch − Avoid fire within known or potential habitat (Endangered) − Avoid frequent, high intensity fires within known habitat. Infrequent high intensity fire may promote nest and roost sites development (hollows), however, few Ninox strenua records of this species occurs within recently burnt areas (< 5 years – limited data) Powerful Owl − Frequent, low intensity fires may simplify habitat structure and reduce the (Vulnerable) abundance of mammal prey − Avoid fire within known roost locations (tree hollows) during the breeding season (mid autumn to mid winter) – heat and smoke may impact on nestlings Perameles nasuta − Requires dense vegetation for diurnal shelter Long-nosed − Low intensity, mosaic burn (1-3ha) may be implemented within known habitat Bandicoot − Avoid high intensity fires within known habitat in order to minimise loss of (Endangered pop’n at important foraging habitat and vegetative protection from predators North Head) − Avoid multiple fire events of less than 10 years within known habitat
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 34 − Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat – opportunistic breeder, therefore Pseudophryne minimise disturbance all year round australis − Avoid the use of foams / retardants within 100 metres of potential / known habitat Red-crowned Toadlet − Avoid high intensity fires within and adjacent to known habitat to avoid siltation of (Vulnerable) breeding areas − Avoid use of earthmoving machinery within known habitat Pteropus − Avoid fire (smoke and heat) around roost trees, within known habitat (gullies and poliocephalus dense vegetation), especially during the breeding season (March to October) Grey-headed Flying − Avoid burning 100% of known foraging habitat to avoid loss of diversity (forage Fox for flowering and fruiting plants) – mosaic burn (Vulnerable) − No slashing, trittering or tree removal within known habitat Ptilinopus superbus − Fire unlikely to affect this species if fire regimes do not further fragment or Superb Fruit Dove decrease the size of the remaining habitat (Vulnerable) − High intensity fires should be avoided in areas within / adjacent to known habitat − Adults and beach / dune habitat unlikely to be impacted by fire Sterna fuscata − Low to moderate intensity fires may encourage regrowth of vegetation suitable for Sooty Tern nesting, however, high intensity fires would be detrimental to this species in the (Vulnerable) breeding season (Spring, Autumn) − Avoid high intensity fires within known locations Xanthomyza phrygia − Avoid burning known habitat from July to December (breeding / habitation period) Regent Honeyeater − Avoid removal of suitable feeding and nesting trees (Eucalyptus fibrosa, mistletoe (Endangered) clumps and Casuarina sp).
Pseudophryne australis (Red-crowned Toadlets): This species inhabits ephemeral drainage lines on Bradleys Head. Fire in its habitat will seriously affect this species and should be excluded at present. Other impacts occur through fire trail and drain construction and maintenance which can lead to siltation of breeding areas and the addition of extra nutrients to waterways such as mulch and blue metal from roads and trails (Thumm, 1997). A regime of low intensity fires not less than 10 years apart is preferable for this species.
Parameles nasuta (Long-nosed bandicoots): The population of these animals living on North Head has been listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as an endangered population. This species relies on vegetative cover for provision of shelter, food and protection from predators, such as dogs and cats. The loss of cover as a result of fuel management practises could expose this species to predation and reduce its available foraging habitat to critical levels.
Miniopterus schreibersii (Common Bent-wing Bat): This species is known to overwinter May to October) in the forts at Middle Head and Henry Head and may occasionally use other sites. Although protected within the concrete forts from the direct effects of fire, smoke and heat may affect them.
As with threatened species of vegetation, site-specific fire management strategies for threatened species of fauna will be prepared which will take precedence over the regime to be applied to the surrounding vegetation.
A number of other species occur in the Parks that are considered to be significant as they are now uncommon or endangered in the Sydney area although more common elsewhere. They include Cacophis squamulosus (Golden Crowned Snake) and Hydromys chryogaster (Water-rat) at Bradleys Head, Physignathus lesueurii (Eastern Water Dragon) at Middle Head and Cyclodomorphus casuarinae (Oak Skink) at La Perouse.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 35 4.4.7 Fire regime strategies for biodiversity conservation The aim of fire management for conservation is to minimise the loss of species from reserves in the reserves by maintaining fire frequencies for each vegetation community and threatened species within their biodiversity thresholds.
Managers should refer to the Management Area Profiles and Table 4.1 to find the biodiversity thresholds for each vegetation community in each Area of the reserves and the known fire history for those communities. The fire regime for each community will be maintained within the biodiversity thresholds, as far as is possible.
In areas where fire frequency has been high and the biodiversity thresholds are likely to have been exceeded fire will be excluded.
In areas that have not experienced fire for a period that exceeds the biodiversity thresholds they will be burnt. The small areas of many of the vegetation communities present will generally require that any prescribed burns will involve only a portion of any vegetation community so that a mosaic of different age groups is created. This need to avoid burning all of a vegetation community at any one time may require that some parts of that community are allowed to go beyond their biodiversity thresholds temporarily.
4.4.8 Distribution of biodiversity in fire management zones
Regard will be given to the vegetation communities in the fuel reduced zones (SAMZs and APZs). In a small number of cases the majority of a vegetation type within a reserve occurs within a fuel reduced zone. Examples are Banksia Scrub at North Head (NH4), and Corymbia punctata Woodland (BH3) and Kunzea Heath (BH8) at Bradleys Head. When fuel reduction is necessary to bring the levels within the prescriptions given in the M.A.P.s the method employed will be chosen to minimise damage to the community (ie loss of biodiversity) while achieving the fuel reduction goal, eg. hand removal of leaf litter and other fine fuel may be more appropriate than slashing or burning.
4.4.9 Effects of fire suppression activities on biodiversity
Some activities involved in the control of wildfire in a reserve may adversely impact on floral and faunal communities there eg. construction of control lines, use of heavy machinery, use of fire retardant chemicals, etc. This potential damage should be avoided wherever possible. Table 4.4 details operational guidelines to be implemented during all bushfire operations.
4.5 Fire and Pest Species Management
Pest management will be a part of rehabilitation plans.
Fire can provide conditions that favour some weed species. The ‘clearing’ effect of fire provides an ideal situation in which to carry out follow-up weeding. A weeding program should be considered as a mandatory follow-up to any prescribed burn activity and as highly desirable following wildfire. This will be carried out by methods
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 36 appropriate to the circumstances, usually hand weeding of seedlings and resprouting plants during the period 3 to 9 months after the fire.
Long periods without fire events may favour certain species. Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) is a fire sensitive endemic plant which is colonising areas where previously it was restricted by the frequency of fires (Clark and McLoughlin, 1986). In some areas of Sydney Harbour National Park, notably Clark Island, parts of Bradleys Head and Nielsen Park, it is becoming the dominant species. Its dense canopy reduces the diversity of under- and mid-storey species and the alteration in vegetation is usually referred to as mesic change. While continued regimes of general fire exclusion will favour Pittosporum the control of this species by fire must be considered as only one of the issues in determining management strategies for these sites. Alternatives such as selective weeding or small scale prescription burns as part of Bush Regeneration programs may be more appropriate.
Frequent low-intensity burns are thought to favour feral mammalian species by reducing the density of the understorey vegetation, allowing easier access and by reducing the amount of protective cover available for native species to avoid predation.
4.6 Cultural Heritage
4.6.1 Aboriginal heritage
The following strategies are required for the protection of Aboriginal sites in the Parks: • procedures to ensure that the location of Aboriginal sites and their vulnerability to fire are known to fire managers. • preparation of an environmental assessment prior to any prescribed burning to determine the effects on any Aboriginal sites. • during all fire suppression operations the register of locations of Aboriginal sites is to be readily available to the fires Incident Management Team. • Suppression activities will be used that avoid damage to Aboriginal heritage. • all post fire reports are to consider the effects of fire on Aboriginal sites and where necessary recommend ameliorative action.
In the event that a previously unknown Aboriginal site is revealed by fire, immediate archaeological assessment is to be undertaken and the appropriate land councils and/or community group notified. The Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council encompasses the majority of Sydney Harbour National Park and La Perouse Land Council covers Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park and parts of Sydney Harbour National Park (Nielsen Park and South Head). Further operational guidelines are given in Table 4.4.
4.6.2 Historic Heritage
Protection of the diverse historical heritage of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks is of a high priority. Management practices to reduce fuel loads are to consider any damage that may result to historic sites either directly or indirectly. In the event of a wildfire, suppression activities will be used that avoid damage to historic heritage.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 37 The historic assets within the Parks are listed in Appendix F and within the relevant Management Area Profile.
Further operational guidelines are given in Table 4.4.
4.7 Smoke Management
Section 133 of the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 states that the Environmental Protection Authority has the power to declare a no-burn period, therefore liaison with the Authority when planning a prescribed burn is essential.
The entire Sydney Region is a smoke sensitive area, as smoke has the potential to affect local residents, hospitals, retirement villages, schools and air quality as well as visibility for road, air and harbour traffic.
Smoke management is the application of knowledge of fire behaviour and meteorological processes to minimise air quality degradation during prescribed fires (Conroy 1994). The Sydney Region will adopt the following smoke management guidelines (Conroy 1996) to reduce emissions from any prescribed burn. • Environmental conditions are assessed prior to a prescribed burn as to their suitability to carry smoke away from urban areas . • Burning to be carried out during times of low fuel moisture content to minimise smoke emissions. This may involve burning during drier periods of the year where more resources have to be directed to containment strategies. • If possible, avoid burning during times of year when smoke will adversely impact on outdoor leisure and recreation activities (eg. School holidays and during special events). • Neighbours and residents of sensitive areas within the air catchment are notified well in advance of prescribed burns and are requested to assist with removing accumulated debris. • Managers of hospitals and retirement villages within the area to be well informed of proposed burns and wildfires. • Debris is removed from bushland areas (eg, tyres, dumped rubbish etc) before burns are commenced. • Prescribed burns are implemented to ensure the proficient use of backing fires (ie. moderate to high intensity but with low rates of spread) as an operational technique to control smoke emissions. • Aggressive mop-up of fires is implemented to minimise the smouldering stage of suppression. • Alternative hazard and risk management techniques to be used where possible. • Maintaining a close liaison with the Environmental Protection Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology.
4.8 Summary of Operational guidelines
Table 4.4 lists operational guidelines to be implemented during all bushfire operations, including wildfires and prescribed fires. These guidelines aim to protect the natural and cultural values of the Parks.
Table 4.4 Operational Guidelines
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 38 Area / Resource Operational Guidelines Vegetation communities Minimise the burn area. where fire has been more frequent than the minimum fire frequency threshold Vegetation communities Maximise the burn area with consideration given to: where fire has been less • maintaining a mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas frequent than the • keeping behaviour fire within controllable parameters maximum fire frequency • consultation with neighbours threshold Aboriginal and historic • Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on the sites location of sites and required control line route. • If possible protect all sites from damage. • Check for unknown sites during and after operations. Threatened flora • Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on the location of sites and required control line route. • Check for unknown locations of threatened flora during operations. • Protect populations or individuals from burn area if the fire frequency thresholds are exceeded or the fire response category of the species is obligate seeder or unknown. Threatened fauna • Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on the location of sites and required control line routes. • Check for unknown locations of threatened fauna during operations. • If possible, protect habitat area from burn if the effects of the resulting fire frequency, season or intensity will have a significant impact or are unknown. Heavy machinery • Can only be used with consent of NPWS and only if the probability of success is considered high • As far as possible, restrict use to routes and other previously disturbed areas • Known threatened species locations and cultural heritage sites must not be disturbed and all personnel involved in control line construction must be briefed on threatened species and cultural heritage site locations • The route to be taken should be checked for heritage items prior to use of machinery, preferably by a specialist officer Fire fighting chemicals • Wetting and foaming agents are permitted for use in bushfire control. Exclude the use of wetting or foaming agents within 20 metres of a watercourse or dam. Repeated use in an area is to be avoided. • The use of retardants will be avoided where alternatives are available. Their use is not considered to be appropriate in areas with low nutrient soils. If used the procedures in the NPWS Fire Management Manual will be followed . Use of salt water If fresh water is unavailable for direct attack the limited use of salt water is considered to be acceptable. Knowledge of the impacts of the use of salt water for fire suppression on vegetation is largely anecdotal but its repeated use in any one area is to be avoided (Bradstock pers. comm.). Its use in some areas, ie. Red Crowned Toadlet habitat, is to be avoided if at all possible. The impacts of salt water are identified as a high priority for research and monitoring. Backburning • As far as possible, backburning should take account of threatened species and cultural heritage guidelines • On days when the fire danger > High, as far as possible, delay backburning until late afternoon - early evening when the temperature is decreasing and the humidity is increasing • Backburning may be safely undertaken during the day when the fire danger < Moderate Smoke management Prescribed burning and back burning operations will have regard to the
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 39 best practice guidelines (see Section 4.6) Visitor control The Parks may be closed due to conditions which create an extreme fire danger or during fire fighting operations.
4.8.1 Fuel management
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park’s key fuel management strategies will be mechanical fuel removal at the urban interface and the combination of mechanical fuel removal, ecological (pile) burns and prescribed burns when native plant regeneration is required. These strategies will reduce significantly the risk of property threat from wildfire and escaped hazard reduction burns, assist in native plant regeneration, weed removal and ensure maintenance of the precincts biological diversity while reducing smoke emissions.
Fire management practices will consider weed control after works, sedimentation and erosion control, sustainability value of remaining unburnt vegetation for fauna, effects of fire and smoke on residents, maintenance of biological diversity and the overall management effectiveness of the practice.
4.8.2 Fire prevention
4.8.2.1 General
Fire prevention will be achieved through the following actions: • fuel reduction programs where necessary in the designated APZs and SFMZs; • high levels of surveillance activities within the parks during periods of severe fire weather (see Appendix 1); • the implementation of park fire bans as appropriate during extreme fire danger periods; • public education programs and participation in Community Fireguard.
Within the Parks open fires are not permitted. Visitors may bring and use their own gas barbecues. Heat bead fires are not permitted at any time.
4.8.2.2 Total fire ban and Park fire ban days
The conditions under which a total fire ban is declared are: ‘If the Minister is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the interests of public safety to do so’ which would include the prevailing and forecast weather conditions, and the current fire activity.
Park Fire Ban Days are declared if - The Regional Manager (RM) considers that there is a risk to the safety of visitors or property - there are active fires in the reserve - a Total Fire Ban has been declared in an adjoining weather district - Fire Danger Index is +24, and Drought Index is KBDI +100 or SDI +80.
When a Total or Park Fire Ban is in force (or forecast), the following procedures will be undertaken for the prevention of, and preparation for, a bush fire event:
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 40
1. The Senior Duty Officer(SDO)/Fire Management Officer will notify all Regional
Staff including Visitor Centres staff, Area Managers and Field Supervisors of the current or predicted situation and the consequent restrictions.
2. During Total and Park Fire Bans notices will be exhibited at:
Sydney Harbour National Park; - • Bradleys Head - Park entrance on Bradleys Head Rd. and the west and east ends of the walking track. • Middle Head - Main gate, Middle Head forts, Cobblers Beach track and intersection of Chowder Bay Rd. • Dobroyd Head - Walking tracks from Ogilvy Rd and Beatty St., Cutler Rd lookout and on NPWS sign at Tania Park. • North Head - On North Head Scenic Drive (at the stone archway) and the start of Blue Fish Point Rd. • Nielsen Park - Steel Point Rd boom gate, Greycliffe Ave gate, Bottle and Glass Loop road entrance. • South Head - Camp Cove Beach staircase (entrance to Heritage Trail).
Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park; - • Entrance to Cape Banks Road (aka Golf Course Rd), top of Congwong Beach stairs and at entrance to Cable Station Loop road on south-west corner.
3. The Regional Office will be staffed from 0830 to 1630 hours.
4. A minimum of one slip-on crew of two persons within each Area will be placed on immediate response standby. This crew is to be on patrol duties within the relevant Area.
5. All Regional staff will remain within pager, telephone or radio contact while rostered on, or on stand-by.
6. Regional staff may be required to remain on duty until released by the RM.
7. Walking tracks and fire trails will be closed to group activities.
8. Regional staff should consider requesting media contacts to broadcast the potential dangers of bushwalking.
The Regional Operations Co-ordinator or Fire Management Officer will make every effort to advise the following of a Reserve Fire Ban: • the SDO; • all staff within the reserve; • relevant fire authorities; • relevant public utilities; • relevant concessionaries; • relevant media agencies; and • NPWS Head Office Information Centre.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 41 All reasonable efforts will be made to display notices at the entrances or at appropriate places within the Reserves stating the fire bans, closures and cancellations of activities that may be in force.
4.8.2.3 Closure of service areas
The decision to declare a reserve closure or to cancel activities will be determined by the RM. The decision will be based on: • there is a Total Fire Ban in force and • the SDO considers after an assessment of the fuel conditions, there is an unacceptable risk to the safety of visitors and • there is an active fire in or adjacent to the reserve or • Fire Danger Index is greater than 24, KBDI is over 100 or fire behaviour predictions indicate a very high to extreme fire danger.
Closure of an area must be considered seriously in the event of a Class 2 wildfire.
• The RM or SDO can cancel visitor activities within the reserve. • The RM or SDO will inform the Directorate Manager Operations Support Co- ordinator, the Information Centre at Head Office and neighbours of any closures.
In the event of emergency closure an area may be patrolled by aerial reconnaissance to determine the presence of visitors.
4.8.2.4 Arson
‘Arson’ is currently defined as ‘the deliberate ignition of any property or land with the intent to maliciously destroy or damage it, or with the intent to endanger the life of another person.
It is suspected that this definition was not strictly applied in the past. Older records have recorded fire type as arson where initial cause of fire is unclear but known to be of human origin. The following types of ignitions are likely to have been included in this category: • accidental escapes of small fires such as campfires; • dumping and torching of cars (particularly a problem in the past at Botany Bay NP); • deliberate arson as defined above.
Strategies to prevent these types of ignitions can include:
Ignition type Strategy accidental escapes of small fires education programs for park users such as picnickers, fisherman and illegal campers.
burning of motor vehicles restrictions on access (such as gating trails), patrols, surveillance of likely dump sites.
‘arson’ Surveillance, targeted policing, increased patrols and park closure on high fire danger days, vandal proof gates.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 42 Determining appropriate strategies to manage arson in any particular reserve is difficult because: • the definition of arson has been too broad to accurately categorise all the ignition events; • effective management strategies differ between ignition types.
Future recording of ignition causes will allow appropriate selection of management strategies as patterns become clearer in specific areas.
4.8.3 Fire Detection
The primary means of fire detection has been through the vigilance of neighbours. This situation is likely to continue. NPWS staff will also be involved in fire detection activities through regular patrols of the Parks on days of high fire danger. The NSW Fire Brigades also alert the relevant NPWS Region to the occurrence of fires that occur on the Parks when they have received that information via “OOO” emergency calls.
4.8.4 Fire Suppression
All NPWS fire operations will be conducted within the guidelines of the Regional Plan of Operations and the managerial framework of the ICS.
Upon report and confirmation of a fire every effort will be made by NPWS to stage a rapid first attack. However other fire authorities may be first to arrive at a fire incident. NPWS will also provide assistance with fire fighting on adjoining land where possible and especially if a fire is believed to present a threat to the Parks.
4.8.5 Guidelines for cooperative fire fighting arrangements
Fire suppression within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks is undertaken via a cooperative agreement between the NSW Fire Brigades (FB) and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This agreement is currently being formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
Under the Rural Fires Act, 1997, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is a fire authority with statute responsibility for fuel management and fire suppression on its lands. However, Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks lie within numerous Fire Districts, therefore, the NSW Fire Brigades are principally responsible for the suppression of all fires within both Parks. The NPWS provides an important fire management support role to the NSW Fire Brigades in fire suppression within the Parks.
When the NSWFB and NPWS Memorandum of Understanding into Co-ordinated Fire Fighting Arrangements have been finalised and agreed to, these arrangements will be followed.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 43 5.0 Fire Management Assets
These are man-made features that are an advantage to fire management.
5.1 Fire management access
Fire management trails includes all roads, vehicular trails and walking tracks that can be used for fire management and fire control operations. Due to the small size of the reserves in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks, few vehicular tracks are present. There are a number of walking tracks throughout the reserves.
Appendix E lists the fire management trails and roads that will be maintained or constructed during the life of this plan. Roads and trails within the reserves will be classified according to the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee’s Policy 1/03 ‘Classification of Fire Trails’ (see Appendix D).
A detailed trail register is maintained in Sydney Region, and describes vehicular accessibility, condition and actions required on the trail during fire suppression operations.
5.2 Fire Management Utilities
Fire management utilities are infrastructure that assist in the detection and control of wildfires, and assist in fire management operations. This includes dams, watering points and helipads. These are listed in the Management Area Profiles.
The NPWS vehicles and fire fighting equipment located in Sydney Region are listed in the Regions’ Incident Management Procedures Manual. The majority of permanent and some temporary NPWS staff are bushfire trained with key staff also being trained in the Incident Control System.
5.3 Fire Management Facilities
The Service has fully equipped workshops at Nielsen Park, La Perouse and the Quarantine Station. A pre-fire season check and maintenance will occur for all Service plant and fire fighting equipment to ensure its reliability and preparedness. Pre-season fire training days will be used to check equipment and increase preparedness.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 44 6.0 Works schedule
6.1 Biodiversity works schedule
6.1.1 Fire management research
Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park has a number of issues that would benefit from specific research projects. They are:
• The spread of Pittosporum undulatum into areas not previously colonised by this species is a problem occurring in many parts of Sydney (Clark and McLoughlin 1986). It is a matter of priority to instigate a research program to assess and monitor the effects fire has on this species;
• Allocasuarina portuensis - This plant is in critical danger of becoming extinct. Fire management for this species to be discussed with the Allocasuarina portuensis species recovery team who will recommend best practise management for fire regimes for this species. Regular monitoring of plant health is to be carried out.
• Dieback is a problem in a few areas of Sydney Harbour National Park, particularly Bradleys Head. This condition could be caused by a number of factors (disease, absence of fire, age) and requires a research program to be instigated to identify the role of fire;
• The impacts of the use of salt water for fire suppression on vegetation;
• The effect of long intervals without fire on vegetation and fauna.
6.1.2 Fire mapping and database management
All fire events that occur within the Parks will be mapped and recorded on the GIS database and relevant Management Area Profile(s) in the master Fire Management Plan. Any additional information on past fire events that comes to light will be similarly recorded.
6.1.3 Monitoring fuel
Fuel loads for each Reserve will be assessed by Visual Assessment Method. This will be carried out at the beginning and end of each fire season within Asset Protection and Strategic Fire Management Zones.
These assessments will periodically be reviewed against physical measurement of fuel loads by the quadrant technique (oven weighing method).
It is essential that monitoring of proposed fire regimes and their success in achieving the management objectives is carried out. Measurements of fuel levels is to be conducted after any burn in the Asset Protection and Strategic Fire Management Zones by a Visual Assessment method.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 45
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 46 6.1.4 Monitoring fire regimes and changes to biodiversity
Monitoring the responses of plant and animal communities to fire is essential to establish whether management criteria are being met. Rangers should monitor burn sites for natural regeneration and note species type and numbers using marked quadrats in representative areas of vegetation. Plants of threatened species should be tagged prior to burns and monitored afterwards to assess any impacts. Records of these observations must be kept.
6.2 Operations works schedule
Areas that are identified from the M.A.P.s as having inter-fire intervals greater than the bio-diversity thresholds may be selected for prescribed ecological burns during the life of this Plan in order to minimise the loss of biodiversity. These areas are at Bradleys Head (BH 4,5,6,7,8), parts of Upper Clifton Gardens, Middle Head (MH 2,3,4), Heath at North Head (NH 2,3,4,5), Nielsen Park (NP 1,4 and 5) and Botany Bay N.P. (BBNP 5 and 10). The prescribed burns may be pile burns or broader scale fires. If further fire events have occurred in an area since the time of writing of the Plan no ecological burn may be required.
Fuel reduction in APZs and SFMZs will be carried out as fuel levels approach the upper limits indicated in the M.A.P.s. This will be achieved by mechanical means in the APZs. Prescribed burns are permitted as an additional method of fuel reduction in some SFMZs eg Bradleys Head (BH 1,2,4,5,6 and 7), Middle Head (MH 1,2 and 3), North Head (NH 2), Nielsen Park (NP 4), South Head (SH 1) and Botany Bay N.P. (BBNP 6,7 and 9).
Preferred timing of prescribed burns will depend on prevailing weather conditions and unplanned fire events.
Individual burn plans containing details of objectives and prescriptions will be prepared prior to prescribed burns.
6.3 Infrastructure works schedule
6.3.1 Fire management access
The fire control lines, including trails, will be slashed prior to the fire season and cleared of any fallen timber which may impede access for fire control vehicles. Drainage and/or earth works necessary to maintain access will be completed as required subject to environmental constraints. All gates, locks, keys, and track signage will be checked and repaired or replaced if necessary before the fire season. The Regional Operations Co-ordinator will ensure that maps showing track names are current and circulated to Area Offices and the relevant NSW Fire Brigade Zone Commanders.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 47 6.3.2 Fire management utilities
The continued maintenance of all vehicles and fire fighting equipment is imperative to the success of any fire incident. All Fire Management Facilities are detailed in the Sydney Region Incident Management Procedures Manual.
Prior to the fire season, field staff will ensure that access to, and extraction from, all watering points is possible and to a standard suitable for the rapid refill of fire control vehicles. Radio communication equipment will be checked prior to the fire season and attention paid to the adequacy of portable units including batteries and rechargers. The availability and condition of fire suppression equipment will be checked and shortcomings rectified.
6.3.3 Fire management facilities
A pre-fire season check and maintenance will occur for all Service plant and fire fighting equipment to ensure its reliability and preparedness. Pre-season fire training days will be used to check equipment and increase preparedness.
6.4 Fire prevention and education
Due to the highly urban nature of the reserves a high degree of neighbour involvement and co-operation is required. To this end, this plan recommends the establishment of Community Fireguard Groups, to assist in the education of park neighbours in fire awareness, property protection and arson detection.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 48 7.0 Plan administration
7.1 Management of works
This plan identifies all fire management works that will be undertaken over the next five years. Area Managers will develop an annual maintenance works program listing all park management works to be conducted within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks. Fire management works will be included in this program.
The performance of the works will be monitored by the Regional Manager, Sydney Region. An annual report on the works will be completed and submitted to NPWS Regional Manager, Director Central and NSW Fire Brigades.
7.2 Environmental assessment of scheduled works
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be prepared for activities described within this Fire Management Plan. The EIA will be prepared according to the general guidelines ‘Is an EIS Required’ prepared by the NSW Department of Planning (1995) (as amended by the NPWS)
The relevant sections of the EIA will be forwarded to the Sydney Regional Manger for Determination.
7.3 Monitoring fire management research
The NPWS has been active in research into the ecological effects of fire on both vegetation and fauna. This research has provided information on the responses of different vegetation types to fire and how to maximise the benefits to both the land and the land manager. Research into the endangered plant species in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks will further this knowledge. Information on regeneration mechanisms, seed survival and germination and fire-free interval required for re-establishment of seed-bearing plants is vital for the continuation of endangered species.
As prescribed and ecological burns for the maintenance of biodiversity is still a new science, intensive recording, monitoring and follow-up is essential to further knowledge.
7.4 Plan review
Following adoption this plan will have a currency of five years. Minor changes may be made by the Regional Manager as deemed necessary. It is anticipated that information within this plan will be updated throughout its life.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 49 REFERENCES
Benson, D. & Howell, J. 1990. Sydney’s Vegetation 1788-1988: utilisation, degradation and rehabilitation. in Proc. of the Ecological Society of Australia, Volume 16, Sydney, NSW, pages 115-127.
Benson, D. & Howell, J. 1994. The Natural Vegetation of Sydney, in Cunninghamia, Volume 3 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 679-787. Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1993. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 1: Ferns, fern-allies, cycads, conifers and dicotyledon families Acanthaceae to Asclepiadaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 3 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 257-422.
Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1995. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 3: Dicotyledon families Cabonbaceae to Eupomaiaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 4 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 217-431.
Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1996. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 4: Dicotyledon family Fabaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 4 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 553-752.
Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1997. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 5: Dicotyledon families Flacourtiaceae to Myrsinaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 5 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 331-544.
Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1998. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 6: Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 5 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 808-987.
Bradstock, R., Keith, D. & Auld, T., 1995. Fire and Conservation: imperatives and constraints on managing for Biodiversity, in Conserving Biodiversity: Threats and solutions, edited by Bradstock et alia, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney, pages 323-333. Bradstock, R. & Scott, J. 1995. A basis for planning fire to achieve conservation and protection objectives adjacent to the urban interface, in CALMScience Supplement 4: pages 109-116. Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. 1995. Rare or Threatened Australian Plants, CSIRO, Collingwood. Clark, S.C. & McLoughlin, L.C., 1986. Historical and biological evidence for fire regimes in the Sydney region prior to the arrival of Europeans: implications for future bushland management, in Australian Geographer 17(2), Sydney, pages 101-112. Conroy, B. 1993. Fire Management Strategies for the Sydney Region in The Burning Question: Fire Management in NSW, Conference proceedings, Coffs Harbour August 1993, Department of Continuing Education, The University of New England, Armidale, pages 73-81.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 50 Conroy, B. 1994. Impacts of fire mitigation strategies, in Bushfires! Looking to the future, Papers from Nature Conservation Council of NSW Seminar, June 1994. Envirobook Publishing, Sydney, pages 44-53. Conroy, R.J., 1996. To burn or not to burn, in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW, 116th Edition, Sydney, pages 79-95. Conroy, R.J., 1998. Fuel assessment guide for the Sydney region. NPWS, Sydney, (unpublished).
Cranney, K., 1999. Regeneration of urban bushland through smoke stimulated germination of the soil seedbank. Honours thesis, Uni NSW.
ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1996. Fire Management Report - Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay National Parks, NPWS, Sydney. Harden, G.J. (ed) 1990-1994. Flora of NSW Vol 1-4. NSW University Press, Kensington.
Matthes, M. & Nash, S., 1994. Conservation Research Statement and Recovery Plan for Allocasuarina portuensis - L. Johnson, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program, Sydney.
NPWS, 2002. Botany Bay National Park Draft Plan of Management, NPWS, Sydney.
NPWS, 2001. Fire Management Manual, NPWS, Hurstville.
NPWS, 2000 Allocasuarina portuensis Recovery Plan, NPWS, Sydney
NPWS, 1998. Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management, NPWS, Sydney.
NPWS, 1997. Atlas of NSW Wildlife (computer database), NPWS, Sydney. Prior, A., 1996. Review of Environmental Factors - Pest Species management by the use of mosaic burning - La Perouse, NPWS, Sydney.
Prior, A., 1998. Review of Environmental Factors - Hazard reduction burns for the Grose Street area, Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park, NPWS, Sydney.
Specht, R.L., 1981. Foliage Cover and standing biomass, pages 10-21 in Vegetation Classification in Australia, Eds Gillison, A.N. & Anderson, D.J., CSIRO & ANU Press, Canberra.
UBM (Urban Bushland Management Consultants P/L), 1996. Weed Management Strategy (Sydney District) Vols 1 & 2, NPWS, Sydney.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 51 Appendices
A. Management Area Profiles for Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (North) National Parks
As of December 2004 the Management Area Profiles for Bradleys Head, Clifton Gardens, Middle Head, Dobroyd Head, North Head, Nielsen Park, South Head and Botany Bay have been replaced with NPWS Type 2 Fire Management Strategies. The following Management Area Profiles should be used in conjunction with these Type 2 Strategies
The following Management Area Profiles should be used in conjunction with associated Type 2 FMS as indicated above: • Bradleys Head • Upper Clifton Gardens • Middle Head • Dobroyd Head • North Head • Nielsen Park • South Head • Rodd Island • Goat Island • Clark Island • Shark Island • Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct)
The Base map indicates the position of the reserve in relation to the local region as well
as infrastructure and major assets referred to in the Profiles. The Management Area map shows the position of the Management Areas on which the Profiles are based. The Management Zones map indicates the position of the various Fire Management Zones. The Bushfire Potential map shows the position of areas of differing potential for ignition derived from modelling based on likely fuel load (based on vegetation type), aspect and slope.
Management Area Profiles Each reserve is broken down into Management Areas. Each Area has a Profile. Each Profile contains information on the Areas boundaries, assets & infrastructure, fire history, vegetation types (including amount in each reserve, amount in each Zone and the biodiversity thresholds for fire), Zone objectives & strategies and some Operational information.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 52 When fuel loads are assessed in the APZs and SFMZs it may be found that fuel reduction is necessary to meet the levels indicated in the strategies for that area. This will be achieved by the method or methods considered most appropriate from the options listed in the strategy for that area. All efforts will be made preserve the biodiversity of the communities there. This is particularly significant where most or all of a vegetation type in a reserve occurs within an APZ or SFMZ.
The fire management regime for the HAMZ in an area is derived by comparing the biodiversity thresholds of each vegetation type in the area with the known fire history. The options for fire management regimes include: 1. Where fire events have occurred more frequently than the suggested thresholds a regime of fire exclusion should be adopted; 2. Where fire regimes are currently within the suggested thresholds further wildfire: • should be extinguished if it will exceed the threshold. • can be extinguished OR be managed to bring it out to existing control lines (if this can be conducted safely and without threat of fire escape) if it will not exceed the thresholds. 3. Where no fire event has occurred within the suggested thresholds for the vegetation type (eg. no fire for more than 30 years in type A vegetation) biodiversity is likely to be in decline and burning may be prescribed to preserve biodiversity in that community.
Regard will be given to any threatened fauna, flora or plant community in a reserve and the fire regime most appropriate to them will take priority over regimes for other vegetation types.
Regard will also be given to the total area of each vegetation type in a reserve so that only a portion is burnt at any one time.
Minimisation of potential threats to life or property on or adjacent to the reserves are over-riding considerations.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 53 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH1 - Chowder Head Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Clifton Gardens Sydney Harbour Private property along Morella Rd Morella Rd. The Manor House fire break
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 9 Medium; 75 Lower; 16 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect private property along Morella Rd & the Manor House Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel at <15t/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: To maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Pile burns may be employed to remove weed material and stimulate regeneration if required in weed infested areas close to Morella Road Any fire within the lifetime of this plan is unlikely to have an adverse effect on biodiversity.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
10/1965 Haz. reduction High unknown unknown 4/1966 Haz. reduction Haz. High unknown unknown 8/1968 reduction Haz. High 0.1ha unknown 1/1969 reduction High 1.6ha unknown Mid -1980s Arson/camp fire low unknown Various spots along foreshore 1/1999 Camp fire low 0.01ha At easterly point, above beach
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open forest - C n.a. 0.4 7.8 Weeds common along the Morella Rd. Angophora costata boundary. The vegetation is probably (18.1) within it’s biodiversity thresholds. Open woodland- B n.a. 0 0.3
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 54 E.botryoides (15.8) Private Property:
The Manor House Private property along Morella Rd
Infrastructure:
Morella Rd. Walking tracks (no vehicle access) Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal middens along foreshores Shelter and midden sites, Engravings Rock art sites
Incident Information:
Control lines: Morella Rd; Clifton Gardens to Taylors Bay walking track; the Manor House fire break; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Morella Rd; foreshores; Clifton Gardens Access: Morella Rd; Clifton Gardens to Taylors Bay walking track Water: Hydrants located along Morella Rd Helipads: Possible only - Clifton Gardens Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Morella Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 55 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH 2 - Iluka foreshore Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
The Manor House fire break Private property along Iluka Rd Sydney Harbour Walking track from Burrawang Ave
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 33 Medium; 67 Lower; 0 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective To protect private property along Iluka Rd & the Manor House Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Fire History: Date: Fire Fire Intensity: Size: Location: Type:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Woodland- B n.a. 1.42 n.a. Heavily infested with weeds of low Eucalyptus flammability with a reduced canopy. Lack of botryoides (15.8) fire over a long period is one of the factors reducing biodiversity.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 56 Private Property:
The Manor House Private property along Iluka Rd
Infrastructure:
Iluka Rd. Walking track Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information:
Control lines: Private property along Iluka Rd; Iluka Rd; Clifton Gardens to Taylors Bay walking track; the Manor House fire break; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Morella Rd; Iluka Rd; foreshores; Access: The Manor House fire break; Clifton Gardens to Taylors Bay walking track; Burrawang Ave walking track; private residences along Iluka Rd. Water: Hydrants located along Iluka Rd Helipads: Possible only - Clifton Gardens, Athol Hall. Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Morella Rd, Sydney Water sewage gas pipes. Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 57 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH 3 - Buena Vista Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Fire break from Buena Vista Ave to Bradleys Head Rd Bradleys Head Rd Walking track from Buena Vista Ave to Bradleys Head Rd
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 93 Lower; 7 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect private property at Buena Vista Ave, St Elmo St and Bradleys Head Rd. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone at <15t/ha by manual clearing and slashing Maintain walking tracks at < 2t/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1/1968 Haz. Reduction High 0.1ha unknown 1/1969 Haz. Reduction High 0.1ha unknown early 1970s frequent Haz. High unknown Most of area, several times. Reductions. 10/1992 Arson Low 0.2ha 5/1994 Haz. Reduction Low 2ha 8/1995 Pile Burn Low 0.25ha
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open woodland - B n.a. 0.6 n.a. Weedy understorey and mesic species. Corymbia punctata Biodiversity thresholds have been (1.0) exceeded by the frequent recent fires. Open Woodland - C n.a. 0.5 n.a. Angophora costata
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 58 (18.1)
Private Property:
Residential property at Buena Vista Ave, St Elmo St and Bradleys Head Rd
Infrastructure:
Buena Vista Ave, St Elmo St and Bradleys Head Rd. Walking tracks Signs Fire breaks - vehicle access
Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information:
Control lines: Buena Vista to St Elmo St & Bradleys Head Rd fire breaks; Bradleys Head Rd; Buena Vista to Bradleys Head Rd walking track Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Bradleys Head Rd; St Elmo St; Buena Vista Ave Access: Bradleys Head Rd; St Elmo St; Buena Vista Ave; Buena Vista to Bradleys Head Rd walking track Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head Rd; St Elmo St; Buena Vista Ave Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Bradleys Head Rd; St Elmo St; Buena Vista Ave Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 59 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH 4 - Taylors Gully Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Burrawang Ave walking track Buena Vista to Bradleys Head Rd walking track Bradleys Head Rd Bradleys Head carpark walking track Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 13 Medium; 60 Lower; 28 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect Taronga Zoo & private property Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning The Acacia terminalis may decline if there is no fire event within 5 years Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire event in the Open Forest communities within 10 years Biodiversity may decline if a fire occurs in the Low Closed Forest. Exclude fire from, and avoid any disturbance to, Red-Crowned Toadlet sites Avoid disturbance to Aboriginal sites
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
late 1960s Hazard High Unknown Various parts of the Taylors Gully area to early reductions (below Buena Vista Avenue) 1970s.
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2) Low Closed forest - Mesic vegetation with heavy weed Acmena smithii & C n.a. 0.18 2.98 infestation, particularly along creek line Glochidion ferdinandii (Taylors Gully). (3.1)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 60 Open forest - Angophora C n.a. 0.86 4.7 Affected by die-back with heavy weed costata (18.1) infestation of under-storey. Long inter- Open forest - fire period for all but the north end has E. botryoides (15.8) B n.a. 0.4 2.1 exceeded biodiversity thresholds.
Acacia terminalis var. Threatened Species. Opposite Zoo car terminalis A park entrance in SFMZ. Hasn’t burnt for nearly 30 years so is close to its biodiversity threshold.
Fauna:
Pseudophryne australis (Red-Crowned Toadlet) - In drainage lines and drains along walking tracks
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Taronga Zoo Bradleys Head Rd Private property at Burrawang Ave Walking tracks (no vehicle access) Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal middens along foreshores In an area that is unlikely to be affected by fire Shelter and midden sites
Incident Information:
Control lines: Burrawang Ave, Bradleys Head car park and Taylors Bay walking tracks; Bradleys Head Rd; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Burrawang Ave; Bradleys Head carpark; foreshores Access: Burrawang Ave and Bradleys Head carpark walking tracks; Bradleys Head Rd Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head Rd Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Bradleys Head Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 61 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH 5 - Bradleys Head East Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Bradleys Head carpark walking track Bradleys Head Rd Cannon area Rotunda area Bradleys Beach walking track
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 60 Lower; 33 Negligible; 7
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To prevent the spread of fire through the park; to protect natural and cultural assets. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone along Bradleys Head Road at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire event in this area Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Exclude fire from, and avoid any disturbance to, Red-Crowned Toadlet sites Avoid disturbance to Aboriginal sites
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
7/1965 Control burn Low 2.5ha unknown Arson 1969 High unknown unknown
Size (in hectares) & biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Low Open Forest - C n.a. 0.55 8.25 The remnant eucalypts are affected by die- Elaeocarpus reticulatus back and the mid storey is now mesic with & Glochidion ferdinandi heavy weed infestation of understorey.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 62 (with emergent Most of this area hasn’t burnt for at Eucalyptus botryoides) least 30 years and is beyond its (15.8) biodiversity threshold.
Fauna:
Pseudophryne australis (Red -Crowned Toadlet) - In drainage lines and drains along walking tracks
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Bradleys Head Rd Walking tracks (no vehicle access) Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal middens along foreshores In an area that is unlikely to be affected by fire Shelter and midden sites
Incident Information:
Control lines: Bradleys Head Rd; Bradleys Head carpark, Bradleys Beach & Bradleys Head east walking track; cannon area fire break; rotunda area fire break; Sydney harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Bradleys Head Rd; foreshores; walking tracks Access: Bradleys Head Rd; Bradleys Head carpark & Bradleys Head east walking track; cannon area fire break Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head Rd Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Bradleys Head Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 63 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH 6 - Bradleys Headland Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Bradleys Head wharf & amphitheatre Cannons walking track Bradleys Head Rd Cannon area Rotunda area Bradleys Beach walking track
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 2 Medium; 51 Lower; 20 Negligible; 27
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect to protect historic cannons, rotunda and visitors. Strategies: Maintain fire break at < 5t/ha by slashing, mowing and manual fuel removal Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To prevent the spread of fire through the park; to protect natural and cultural assets. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain fire breaks at <5T/ha by slashing Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Avoid disturbance to Aboriginal sites Extinguish all wildfire Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire event in this area
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
12/1996 Arson Low 0.2ha
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open Woodland - B 0 1.9 n.a. The eucalypts are relatively healthy in this Eucalyptus botryoides area but the dense mid-storey of Pittosporum (15.8) & other mesic sps. is likely to restrict further
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 64 regeneration. Most of area has not burnt for a long period and has exceeded the biodiversity threshold.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Bradleys Head Rd Walking tracks Signs Rotunda
Cultural Assets: Comments:
Aboriginal middens along foreshores Engravings 45-6-2062, 2092. Historic cannons and battery
Incident Information:
Control lines: Bradleys Head Rd; Bradleys Beach walking track; cannon fire break area; rotunda fire break area; Sydney harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Bradleys Head Rd; foreshores; wharf & lighthouse Access: Bradleys Head Rd; cannons area; Bradleys Head east and west walking tracks Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head Rd Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Bradleys Head Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 65 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH7 - Bradleys Head West Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Bradleys Head Rd Bradleys Head wharf Cannons walking track Athol Hall track
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 57 Medium; 36 Lower; 1 Negligible; 6
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect to protect Athol Hall. Strategies: Maintain fire break at < 5t/ha by slashing, mowing and manual fuel removal Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To prevent the spread of fire in the park and protect Athol Hall & the boardwalk. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire event in this area
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2) The long period without fire has Open woodland - C 0 1.4 4.2 probably exceeded the biodiversity Angophora costata threshold. The dense growth of (18.1) Pittosporum & other mesic sps. is likely
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 66 to restrict regeneration. Open woodland - C 0 0 0.35 South of Athol Hall Eucalyptus punctata (1.0) Heath - A 0.5 0.2 1.1 Kunzea ambigua (3.7)
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Bradleys Head Rd Boardwalk and walking tracks Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal middens along foreshores, In an area that is unlikely to be affected by fire 45-6-2066, 2118, 2119 Athol Hall & Gardens
Incident Information:
Control lines: Bradleys Head Rd; Athol Hall walking track; foreshore Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Bradleys Head Rd; Athol Hall; Athol Beach; Bradleys Head Wharf; foreshores Access: Athol Hall walking track; Bradleys Head Wharf; Bradleys Head west walking track; Athol Hall Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head Rd Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Bradleys Head Rd & Athol Hall Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 67 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BH8 - Athol Beach Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Bradleys Head Rd Wharf Rd Athol Hall walking track Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 50 Medium; 42.5 Lower; 2.5 Negligible; 5
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect Athol Gardens & Hall Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain Athol Hall fire break at <5T/ha by slashing and mowing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline unless there is a fire event in the Heath area. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Heath - A 0.4 0.5 1.24 No fires are recorded for this area so Kunzea ambigua (3.7) biodiversity thresholds are likely to have been exceeded.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 68 Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Bradleys Head Rd Wharf Rd Walking tracks (no vehicle access) Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal middens along foreshores, In an area that is unlikely to be affected by fire
Incident Information:
Control lines: Bradleys Head & Wharf Rd; Athol Hall fire break; Bradleys Head east & Athol Hall walking tracks; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Bradleys Head & Wharf Rd; foreshores; Athol Hall Access: Bradleys Head & Wharf Rd; Athol Hall; Bradleys Head West walking track Water: Hydrants located along Bradleys Head & Wharf Rd Helipads: Possible only - Athol Hall Hazardous substances: Nil. Other Services: Power lines along Bradleys Head & Wharf Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 69 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 70 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 71 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 72 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 73 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 74 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 75 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 76 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 77 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 78 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 79 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
Upper Clifton Gardens Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Clifton Gardens Council reserve Army Maritime School Private property along Cross St Vacant Commonwealth land Rawson Oval
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 44.7 Medium; 46 Lower; 9 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Exclude fire from the Angophora woodland & the Low Closed Forest as a further fire would exceed their threshold. It has already been exceeded in the central area. Biodiversity of the E. botryoides forest may decline if there is no fire event within 10 years Biodiversity may decline unless there is a fire event in the Heath area Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1981 Arson High All of Reserve area and most of surrounding bushland.
1/98 Flare High 0.5ha Central part
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open woodland - C n.a. n.a. 9.4 Being invaded by mesic species. Angophora costata (9.4) Biodiversity threshold has been Low Closed forest - exceeded in the central part of area. Acmena smithii & C n.a. n.a. 1.3
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 80 Glochidion ferdinandi (1.3) Open woodland - Probably more common previously, now E. botryoides (1.1) B n.a. n.a. 1.1 affected by die-back. Closed scrub - Banksia ericifolia & Being invaded by mesic species and Allocasuarina distyla A n.a. n.a. 2.6 weeds. Hasn’t burnt for 18 years and (2.6) may have exceeded biodiversity threshold.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Walking tracks Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
open shell middens art sites rock engravings shelter sites 45-6-2327, 45-6-2328, 45-6-2329
Incident Information:
Control lines: Clifton Gardens Council reserve; Clifton walking track; Commonwealth estate; Rawson Oval; Army Maritime School Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Clifton Gardens; Rawson Oval Access: Clifton Gardens Council reserve; Clifton walking track; Commonwealth estate Water: Hydrants located within Commonwealth estate. Helipads: Possible only - Clifton Gardens Hazardous substances: possible fire arms in Commonwealth estate Utilities: Power lines along Cross St. Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 81 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 82 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 83 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 84 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 85 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 86 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 87 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
MH 1 - Cobblers Beach Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Battery Rd. Middle Head Rd Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 45 Medium; 34 Lower; 3.5 Negligible; 17
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect historic buildings Strategies: Maintain zone at < 5t/ha by slashing and mowing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect historic buildings Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by slashing, manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Extinguish all wildfire - Biodiversity may decline if fires occur Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
6/1994 Arson Low 10 sq m. On beach 8/1994 Arson Unknown 0.5ha
9/1994 Arson Medium 6ha Most of area 7/1996 Arson Medium 0.05ha Oval 10/1996 Arson Low 4 sq m. On beach
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Low Closed forest - C 0 0 0.45 Cliff face has margin of Allocasuarina Pittosporum undulatum distyla & Westringia fruticosa & Glochidion ferdinandi (0.95) Vegetation is within biodiversity
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 88 Open woodland - thresholds E. botryoides & C. C 0 0 1.85 gummifera (5.8) Closed scrub - Kunzea ambigua & Melaleuca nodosa (13.6) A 0 0.02 2.2
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Battery Rd Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic buildings Use of Middle Head Historic buildings as NPWS Harbour Historic fortifications & defensive ditch North Area office. Historic Cobblers Beach Rd
Incident Information:
Control lines: Battery Rd; Cobblers Beach Rd; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Middle Head Oval; Asset Protection Zone around historic buildings; Cobblers Beach Access: Battery Rd; Cobblers Beach Rd; Middle Head Rd; Middle Head Oval walking track Water: Hydrants located along Middle Head Rd Helipads: Possible only - Middle Head Oval Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Middle Head Rd & Battery Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 89 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
MH 2 - Middle Head Forts Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Battery Rd Governors Rd Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 6 Medium; 51 Lower; 12 Negligible; 32
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect historic forts Strategies: Maintain fire breaks at < 5t/ha by slashing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect historic buildings Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by slashing, manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Maintain walking tracks and roads at <2T/ha by manual clearing Biodiversity may be in decline in the Kunzea Heath.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
3/1992 Grassfire Low 2 sq m. Off Battery Rd
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha in Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Low closed forest - C 0 0.2 0.3 Mesic species that are extending their Pittosporum undulatum range due to lack of fire & Glochidion ferdinandi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 90 (0.95) Closed Heath - Kunzea ambigua & Melaleuca A 0.1 0.4 3.5 No fire has occurred in the Kunzea nodosa (13.6) Heath for many years. Much of the Kunzea is mature or senescing and parts of this area are being colonised by mesic species. Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Battery Rd Governors Rd walking tracks Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic fortifications Use of Middle Head Historic buildings as NPWS Harbour middens North Area office. rock engravings 45-6-2307, 2308, 1907.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Battery & Governors Rds; outer Middle Head forts; Sydney harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Outer Middle Head Forts; Middle Head Oval Access: Battery & Governors Rds; Middle Head Rd Water: Hydrants along Middle Head Road Helipads: Possible only - Middle Head Oval Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Battery & Governors Rds Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 91 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
MH 3 - Obelisk Beach Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Governors Rd Outer Middle Head Forts Obelisk Beach walking track Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 5 Medium; 84 Lower; 9 Negligible; 2
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect historic building Strategies: Maintain Zone at <5T/ha by slashing and walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect Commonwealth Estate Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may be in decline in the Heath & Scrub Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
3/1985 Campfire Low 12 sq m. On beachfront 8/1990 Campfire Low 10 sq m. On beachfront 12/1997 Cigarette Low 0.2ha 40m east of Obelisk
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Low closed forest - C 0 0.03 0.2 None of these communities have Acmena smithii & G. burnt for at least 15 years, possibly ferdinandi (12.3) much longer.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 92 Closed Scrub - Kunzea A 0.2 1.1 6.5 ambigua & Melaleuca The biodiversity thresholds may nodosa (13.6) have been exceeded in the Heath Heath - Banksia and Scrub. integrifolia (0.4) A 0 0 0.4
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Governors Rd Chowder Bay Rd walking tracks (no vehicle access) signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Outer Middle Head forts Use of Middle Head Historic buildings as NPWS Harbour Historic buildings North Area office. Forts and Obelisk shelter and midden sites engravings (5 fish) 45-6-1699, 45-6-2042.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Governors & Chowder Bay Rd; outer Middle Head Forts; Obelisk Beach & Obelisk walking tracks; Commonwealth estate; Sydney harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground, high public use area. Evacuation points: Obelisk Beach; foreshores Access: Governors & Chowder Bay Rds; Obelisk & Obelisk Beach walking tracks Water: Hydrants located along Middle Head Road Helipads: Possible only - Middle Head Oval Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Nil. Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 93 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
MH 4 - Georges Head Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Obelisk Beach walking track Chowder Bay Road Army Maritime School Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 4 Medium; 92 Lower; 4 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may be in decline in the Woodland and in the Closed Forest. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1996-7 Arson Low 5-10 sq m Several minor arson attacks
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Area has not burnt for 20+ years & Low Open Woodland B n.a. n.a. 3.9 the biodiversity thresholds may Eucalyptus botryoides have been exceeded. These (5.8) communities are in decline with die- Low closed forest - C n.a. n.a. 0.7 back, weed infestation & mesic
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 94 Acmena smithii & G. invasion. Long term lack of fire is ferdinandi (12.3) probably contributing to these Low Open Woodland C n.a. n.a. 0.2 problems, along with nutrient Angophora costata (9.9) enrichment and soil disturbance.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Chowder Bay Rd & carparks walking tracks signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic shelter and midden 45-6-1968, 2217.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Chowder Bay Rd; Obelisk walking track; Georges Head forts; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground. Evacuation points: Obelisk Beach; Middle Head Oval; foreshores Access: Chowder Bay Rds; Obelisk Beach walking track Water: Hydrants located along Middle Head Road Helipads: Possible only - Middle Head Oval Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Chowder Bay Rd. Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 95 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
MH 5 - Georges Heights Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Chowder Bay Rd Middle Head Rd Suakim Drive Commonwealth estate Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 1 Medium; 95 Lower; 4 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: The biodiversity may be in decline in the northern half of this area and may decline in the southern half if there is a fire within 30 years. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
4/1982 Hazard Medium All of area except northern tip. reduction 8/1994 Hazard Low 4ha North end reduction
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) The biodiversity threshold has been Low Open Woodland - C n.a. n.a. 9.7 exceeded in the northern half of this Angophora costata area and (9.9) will be exceeded in the southern
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 96 half if there is a fire within 30 years. Die-back is marked near the top of the slope below the army depot & residences. Nutrient enrichment & soil disturbance is a major contributor to the decline. Mesic species are colonising.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Chowder Bay Rd Middle Head Rd signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information:
Control lines: Chowder Bay & Middle Head Rds; Suakim Drive; Commonwealth estate Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Middle Head Oval; foreshore areas Access: Chowder Bay & Middle Head Rds & Suakim Drive Water: Hydrants located along Middle Head Road Helipads: Possible only - Middle Head Oval; Commonwealth estate Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Middle Head Rd & Chowder Bay Rd Council Area: Mosman Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Mosman
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 97 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 98 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 99 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 100 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 101 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 102 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 103 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
DH 1 - Reef Beach Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Jelico & Beattie St fire break Tania Park walking track Crater Cove walking track Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 52 Lower; 48 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the NPWS toilet block Strategies: Maintain at <5T/ha by slashing and manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect private property along Jelico & Beattie St Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing & extinguish wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline in the Angophora Woodland if there are further fire events. A fire within the life of this plan is unlikely to reduce biodiversity in the Heath & E. botryoides Woodland Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location: 1977 Arson? unknown All except small area above Forty Baskets Beach 1980 Arson? unknown Area unburnt in 1977 11/1990 Arson High All except small area above Forty Baskets Beach 9/1995 Pile Burn Low 0.25ha Bush Regeneration site at Reef Beach 12/1996 Pile Burns 1.5ha Bush Regeneration site at Reef Beach Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Heath - Allocasuarina A 0 0.85 7.54 The Heath & E. botryoides distyla & Banksia Woodland are currently within ericifolia (43.2) their biodiversity thresholds Low Woodland - B 0.03 0.37 2.9
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 104 Woodland Eucalyptus botryoides (3.3) The threshold for the Angophora Woodland -Angophora C 0 0.91 5.05 Woodland has been exceeded. costata & Corymbia gummifera Threatened plant. Along cliff top at (15.1) Dobroyd Head Rulingia hermanniifolia A Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Jelicoe & Beattie St walking tracks signs toilet seats
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal midden Sub-surface, unlikely to be affected by fire.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Jelico & Beattie St fire break; Creek bed; Tania Park; Crater Cove; Reef Beach & Beattie St walking tracks; Sydney Harbour. Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Reef Beach; Tania Park; Forty Baskets Beach. Access: Jelico & Beattie St fire break; Tania Park, Crater Cove, Reef Beach & Beattie St walking tracks Water: Water main at Tania Park. Helipads: Possible only - Tania Park Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Tania Park Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly Other Services: Power lines along western edge of Tania Park.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 105 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
DH 2 - Tania Park Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Crater Cove walking track Tabalum Rd fire break Tania Park walking track Grotto Point walking track Tania Park Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 14 Medium; 64 Lower; 22 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect private property along Tabalum Road Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain Tabalum Rd fire break < 5t/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: The thresholds for the Heath will not be exceeded by a fire or its absence within 5 years The threshold for the Angophora Woodland have been exceeded and biodiversity may decline if there are further fire events Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Exclude fire from Red Crowned Toadlet habitat
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1977 Arson? High All of area 11/1990 Arson High All of area 12/1996 Arson High 2ha Cliff top south of Council Park
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Heath - Allocasuarina A n.a. 2 22.7 Within biodiversity threshold. distyla & Banksia ericifolia (43.2) Woodland - Angophora C n.a. 0.3 2.7 The biodiversity threshold for the
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 106 costata & Corymbia Angophora Woodland has been gummifera exceeded (15.1)
Fauna:
Pseudophryne australis (Red-Crowned Toadlet) - lives in drains and drain lines.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Tabalum Road walking tracks signs fence
Cultural Assets: Comments
Crater Cove huts Aboriginal engravings Military bunkers (WW 11)
Incident Information:
Control lines: Tania Park; Tania Park, Crater Cove & Grotto Point walking tracks; Tabalum Rd fire break; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Tania Park Access: Tania Park, Crater Cove & Grotto Point walking tracks Water: Hydrants located along Tabalum Rd, swimming pool at 38 Tabalum Rd. Helipads: Possible only - Tania Park Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Tabalum Rd, Cutler Rd, Barabooka St & Ogilvy Rd. Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 107 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
DH 3 - Grotto Point Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Cutler Rd Barrabooka St Grotto Point walking track Ogilvy Rd Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 48 Medium; 49 Lower; 3 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies: Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect cultural heritage Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain at <5T/ha by slashing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect private property along Cutler Rd, Barrabooka St & Ogilvy Rd Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: The thresholds for the Heath will not be exceeded by a fire or its absence within 5 years The threshold for the Angophora Woodland has been exceeded and biodiversity may decline if there are further fire events Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1977 Arson? High All of area 12/1989 Camp fire? High 1ha On ridgetop above Grotto Point 11/1990 Arson High All of area (backburn at north end)
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) Table 4.2)
Heath - Allocasuarina A 0.08 0.7 13.5 Within biodiversity threshold distyla & Banksia ericifolia (43.2)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 108 Woodland - Angophora C 0 1 4.9 The biodiversity threshold for the costata & Corymbia Angophora Woodland has been gummifera exceeded (15.1)
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Cutler Rd, Barrabooka St & Ogilvy Rd walking tracks Grotto Pt Lighthouse (Sydney Ports Corp.) signs Fencing (Mosman Council) fences
Cultural Assets: Comments
Grotto Pt Lighthouse
Incident Information:
Control lines: Grotto Point walking track; Barrabooka St & Ogilvy Rd fire breaks; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Cutler Rd, Barrabooka St & Ogilvy Rd Access: Grotto Point walking track Water: Helipads: Possible only - Tania Park Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Ogilvy Rd, Cutler Rd & Barabooka St. Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 109 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 110 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 111 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 112 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 113 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 114 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 115 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 116 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 117 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NH 1 - Shelly Beach North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
St Patricks College estate & Historic wall Sydney Water Sewage Treatment Plant Military Reserve Bluefish Drive Bluefish Point Rd Pacific Ocean
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 1 Medium; 63 Lower; 36 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets, to protect the Commonwealth estate & private property on Bower St Strategies: Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire within 10 years. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
4/1980 Arson High 35ha All of area
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 118 Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Low Closed Forest C 2.39 0.95
Open Woodland C 1.05 23.1
Eastern Suburbs Banksia A 0.41 7.67 Endangered Ecological Community Scrub
Negligible
Closed Scrub/Heath - A 1.3 n.a. 23.93 Hasn’t burnt since 1980. Currently Leptospermum laevigatum within biodiversity thresholds & Banksia ericifolia (124) Acacia terminalis sub.sp Threatened species terminalis A
Fauna:
Perameles nasulta (Long nosed Bandicoot) - present through most of North Head where there is adequate vegetation cover.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Commonwealth housing along Artillery Dr. Bluefish Point Rd Houses along Bower St. walking tracks (no vehicle access) Sydney Water STP station signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic stone wall WW II Gun emplacements
Incident Information:
Control lines: St Patricks historic wall; Shelly Beach walking track; Bluefish Point Rd; Pacific Ocean Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Shelly Beach; foreshores; Commonwealth estate (oval / parade ground) Access: Bluefish Point Rd; Shelley Beach walking track Water: Hydrants located within Sewage Treatment Plant. Helipads: Commonwealth estate Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Artillery Drive & Bluefish Point Rd Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 119 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NH 2 - Bluefish Point North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Water Sewage Treatment Plant Bluefish Point Rd Artillery Museum Historic wall near Lady Fairfax track Pacific Ocean Cobble Road
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 3 Medium; 39 Lower; 58 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets and protect Sydney Water property Strategies: Biodiversity may be in decline in areas unburnt in 1994 Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
mid - unknown unknown All of area 1940s 1978 unknown unknown 1ha unknown 1982 Arson unknown 3ha unknown 9/1994 Hazard Low 10ha Bluefish Point reduction 1/1998 Arson Very low 0.01ha Close to car park
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Closed Scrub/Heath - A n.a. n.a. 22.1 Any area not burnt in 1994 has Banksia ericifolia, exceeded its biodiversity threshold. Allocasuarina distyla & .
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 120 Leptospermum laevigatum (124) Significant community at Bluefish Scrub - Casuarina glauca C n.a n.a. Point Eucalyptus camfieldii Vulnerable species. At south end of B n.a. n.a. this area, one of three sites at North Head. Acacia terminalis sub.sp. Threatened species, at Bluefish Point terminalis A n.a. n.a. Regionally uncommon community Wet Heath with with rare species, in southern part of Gonocarpus salsoloides A n.a. n.a. this area.
Eastern Suburbs Banksia A n.a. n.a. 16.9 Endangered Ecological Community Scrub
Fauna:
Perameles nasulta (Long nosed Bandicoot) - present through most of North Head where there is adequate vegetation cover.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Commonwealth property Bluefish Point Rd Sydney Water ST Plant walking tracks signs Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic stone wall (Artillery Museum) WW II gun emplacement & radar tower
Incident Information:
Control lines: Bluefish Point Rd; Historic wall (Artillery Museum); Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Commonwealth estate; Artillery Museum; Sydney Water STP Access: Bluefish Point Rd, Nth Head Scenic Drive, Cobble Rd. Water: Hydrants located within Army Land. Helipads: Commonwealth estate Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines within Army Reserve & Sewage Treatment Plant. Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 121 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NH 3 - Fairfax Lookout North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Historic wall (Artillery Museum) North Head Scenic Drive Historic wall (Quarantine) Pacific Ocean
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 13 Medium; 80 Lower; 7 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect visitor areas & Quarantine Station Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline if there is no fire event within 10-12 years. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
mid - Unknown Unknown All of area 1940s 1970 Unknown Unknown 4ha 12/1979 Arson Unknown 45ha Western part of area, to east edge of (but not inside) Fairfax lookout circle. 1982 Unknown Unknown 12ha Unknown 4/1996 Arson Low .5ha Most of the area within the lookout circle North-western half of the area 12/1997 Arson High 30ha
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Eastern Suburbs Banksia A 1.99 Endangered Ecological Community Scrub
Closed Scrub/Heath - A n.a 2.05 22.81 Much of this has burnt at two
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 122 Banksia ericifolia, intervals of more than 15 years. Allocasuarina distyla & This is currently within biodiversity Leptospermum laevigatum thresholds. (124) Eucalyptus camfieldii B Vulnerable species. One of three sites at North Head.
Fauna:
Perameles nasulta (Long nosed Bandicoot) - present through most of North Head where there is adequate vegetation cover.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil North Head Scenic Drive & carparks walking tracks & fire track (vehicle access) signs, seats, bins, fencing, Parking ticket machines
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic stone walls (Artillery Museum & Quarantine) Engraving 45-6-0530
Incident Information:
Control lines: North Head Scenic Drive; Fairfax walking track; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Artillery Museum Access: North Head Scenic Drive; Fairfax walking track Water: Hydrants located along North Head Scenic Drive & within Army reserve. Helipads: Commonwealth estate Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines within Army Reserve Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 123 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NH 4 - Quarantine North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
North Head Scenic Dv Historic wall (Quarantine) Collins Flat (Beach)Rd Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 18 Medium; 59 Lower; 5 Negligible; 18
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the Quarantine Station. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at <5T/ha by slashing, mowing or manual clearing Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets and the Police College Strategies: Avoid disturbance to Little Penguin roosting areas Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Biodiversity may decline in most of the Scrub/Heath vegetation if there are no further fire events within 5-10 years
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location: mid ‘40s Unknown Unknown Unknown All of bush area 1970 Unknown Unknown 10-12ha 1977 Unknown Unknown 20ha? Area above Quarantine Head 9/1980 Arson Unknown 1ha Quarantine Station 1994 Haz. Reduct High 5ha 4/1995 Campfire Medium 30ha Above Store Beach, between Collins Flat Rd and North Head Rd
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in reserve) (Table 4.2) Eastern Suburbs Banksia A 14.2 Endangered Ecological Community Scrub
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 124 Closed Scrub/Heath - A 1.66 n.a. 14.31 This vegetation is probably outside Leptospermum laevigatum the biodiversity threshold. (124) Scientifically interesting community Closed Scrub/Heath - A 2.37 n.a. 0.96 as it hasn’t burnt for 30+ years. Banksia ericifolia (3.3) Woodland (24.1) - Angophora costata C 0.8 n.a. 23.4 Vulnerable species. Largest of three Eucalyptus camfieldii sites at North Head. B Threatened species. Acacia terminalis sub.sp. terminalis A Threatened species. Above Rulingia hermanniifolia escarpment behind Store Beach. Galeola cassythoides A Regionally uncommon species Fauna:
Perameles nasulta (Long nosed Bandicoot) - present through most of North Head where there is adequate vegetation cover. Eudyptula minor (Little Penguin) roost along shore line.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Commonwealth Army Base North Head Scenic Drive Quarantine Roads walking tracks (no vehicle access) signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic Quarantine Station - numerous buildings and A separate Fire Management Plan is to be developed for associated structures. the management of the site and structures of Quarantine Station
Incident Information: Control lines: North Head Scenic Drive; Quarantine & Collins Flat Rds; Sydney harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Quarantine Beach; Collins Flat Beach; Quarantine Station; foreshores Access: Quarantine & Collins Flat Rds & North Head Scenic Drive Water: Hydrants within Quarantine Station & reservoirs past roundabout, west of road Helipads: Commonwealth estate; Possible only - Quarantine Station Hazardous substances: In store shed in Quarantine Station - fuel, paint etc. Utilities: Power lines along North Head Scenic Drive, Collins Flat & Quarantine Rds Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 125 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NH 5 - Collins Flat North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Collins Flat (Beach) Road Police Management School Manly Hospital North Head Scenic Drive Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 28 Medium; 65 Lower; 7 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Avoid disturbance to Little Penguin roosting areas Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Biodiversity may be in decline.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
mid - Unknown Unknown Unknown All of area? 1940s
1974 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
3/1999 Camp fire Low 0.5sqm On the beach
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Eastern Suburbs Banksia A 25.12 Endangered Ecological Community Scrub
Woodland - Eucalyptus B n.a. n.a. 14.4 Heavily infested with mesic species
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 126 botryoides and weeds. Die-back is common. No (14.4) evidence of fire for 30+ years. Biodiversity thresholds have probably been exceeded.
Fauna:
Perameles nasulta (Long nosed Bandicoot) - present through most of North Head where there is adequate vegetation cover. Eudyptula minor (Little Penguin) roost along shore line.
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Collins Flat Road North Head Scenic Drive walking tracks signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic stone wall
Incident Information:
Control lines: Collins Flat Rd; North Head Scenic Drive; Police Management School; Sydney Harbour Safety considerations: cliffs; uneven & slippery ground Evacuation points: Collins Flat Beach Access: Collins Flat Road; North Head Scenic Drive; Collins Flat walking track Water: Hydrants on Nth Head Scenic drive between Parkhill Gate & Collins Flat Rd Helipads: Commonwealth estate Hazardous substances: Nil. Utilities: Power lines along Collins Flat Rd & Nth Head Scenic Drive, Water main crosses the area in a north/south direction Council Area: Manly Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Manly
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 127 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 128 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 129 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 130 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 131 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 132 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 133 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 134 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 135 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 1 - Bare Island Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Bare Island Bridge approach road Botany Bay
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 0 Negligible; 100
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the historic resources and heritage values of Bare Island fort. Strategies: No burning to be undertaken. All fires to be extinguished immediately. Grassed areas to be mown monthly.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1997 Arson Low 1 sqm On the bridge
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Isolepis nodosa, A 0.1 n.a. n.a. Small remnant populations on cliff face - Westringia fruticosa, unlikely to be affected by fire. Carpobrotus
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 136 glaucescens. (0.1)
Fauna:
NIL
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Wooden bridge Gates Signs Power and sewage lines Spotlights
Cultural Assets: Comments
Historic fort All buildings are constructed of concrete or brick and are Batteries Command post of low flammability Barbettes Casements Barracks
Incident Information:
Control lines: Foreshore, pathways. Safety considerations: Access bridge has a 5 tonne weight limit, cliffs. Evacuation points: Bare Island Bridge Access: Bare Island Bridge (Island entry gate has an A key padlock) Water: Mains water on site Helipads: La Perouse headland Hazardous substances: Paint, solvents stored on island. Utilities: Electricity. Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Resident Caretaker (NPWS Senior Field Officer) Public tours conducted on Sat & Sun at 12.45, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30. (other times on request)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 137 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 2 – The Cable Station, Museum & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park Visitor Centre, La Perouse
Management Area Boundaries:
Northern section of Anzac Parade loop road. Botany Bay Bare Island Bridge approach road Botany Bay
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 0 Negligible; 100
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect and maintain the historic resources and cultural assets of the Cable Station and the associated structures. Strategies: No burning to be undertaken. All fires to be extinguished immediately Grass to be mown regularly.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1997 electrical Toilet block
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments
n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Vegetation is scattered plantings amongst exotic grass lawns
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 138 Fauna:
NIL
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Anzac Parade (owned by the R.T.A., managed by City Cable Station driveway of Randwick Council) Pathways Toilet Block above Congwong Beach (owned and Timber boundary fence managed by City of Randwick Council). Garbage bins Plumbing for taps and bubblers Spotlights
Cultural Assets: Comments
Cable Station All assets are surrounded by mown grass. Macquarie Watchtower Abbe Receveur grave site La Perouse Monument
Incident Information:
Control lines: Loop Road, foot paths. Safety considerations: High level of public use, particularly weekends. Evacuation point: Access: Anzac Parade and Loop Road Water: Standpipes on Anzac Parade Loop road (north side, close to Endeavour Avenue) Helipads: La Perouse headland Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Phone, fax, base radio at the Cable Station - Ph 02 9311 3379, Fax 02 9661 6787 Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Cable Station is the Administrative Centre for the Regional Visitor Services Unit – Tours and educational programs. Monitored fire alarm in the Cable Station building. Caretaker lives on site.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 139 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 3 - Happy Valley Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Anzac Parade Cape Banks Road (also known as Golf Course Road) Congwong Beach management trail Congwong Beach Fence line from north side of toilet block on Anzac Parade to Congwong Beach
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 1.6 Medium; 62 Lower; 36.4 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect private property on the west side of Anzac Parade. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Fuel loads not to exceed 5 t/ha, maintained by slashing & mowing along road edge, with selective scrub clearing and prescribed pile burning. Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Extinguish all wildfires. No burning to be undertaken other than pile burns Monitoring of cultural resources to be undertaken after any fire event.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location: 9/1989 Arson High 1.5ha Anzac Pde 9/1991 Arson x 2 Low 0.1ha Congwong Beach 12/1991 Arson Medium 0.5ha Upper Valley 5/1993 Arson Low 0.4ha Upper Valley 9/1993 Arson Low 0.2ha Upper Valley 10/1993 Hazard Red High 6ha Whole of area 5/1994 Hazard Red High 4ha East Valley 9/1996 Pile Burns High 0.2ha Mid Valley 7/1997 Pile Burns High 0.1ha Lower Valley
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Banksia integrifolia & A 0.06 n.a. 3.26 There has been major disturbance in this Leptospermum area including numerous fires and the laevigatum (8.2) biodiversity thresholds have been
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 140 Heath - Acacia sophorae A 0.36 n.a. 3.83 exceeded. Vegetation is re-establishing and & Pteridium esculentum is currently Low Heath. (51.3) Fauna:
NIL
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Footbridge and stairs Sydney Water Mains pipe (to NSW Golf Club) crosses valley Staircase to Congwong Beach Signs Fire trail from Cape Banks Road to Congwong Beach
Cultural Assets: Comments
Site of 1930s Depression era camp. Frequent fires in the past have caused minor damage to the Artefacts remain scattered in soil substrate. rock faces. Some engravings and graffiti on rocks from the same Fire events have uncovered artefacts. period. Cultural Heritage Division should be contacted after fire 45-6-0561, 1145, 1146, 1403 events to survey the site.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Anzac Pde, Congwong Beach, Congwong Beach Maintenance Trail. Safety considerations: Sharp debris in soil throughout the valley Evacuation point: Congwong Beach, Anzac Parade. Access: Anzac Pde, Congwong Beach Maintenance Trail, Cape Banks Rd. (CapeBanks Rd is closed by a gate close to the junction with Anzac Pde between 7pm and 6.30am. Land Managers, Matraville F.B. and Police hold keys) . Water: Toilet Block at Loop Rd., hydrants along Anzac Parade. Helipad: Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 141 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 4 - Grose Street Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries: Grose Street Anzac Parade Cape Banks Road Telstra Telecommunications Station Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 4 Medium; 96 Lower; 0 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies: Asset Protection Zone Objective: minimise risk of bushfire damage to life & property along Grose St. & the Telstra site. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain Zone of 20 metres along Grose St, fuel <5 t/ha, by manual clearing. Extinguish all wildfires
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect the Heritage Zone on the rock platform to the north. Strategies: Extinguish all wildfires Maintain Zone of 20m to north of Cape Banks Rd at <15t/ha by manual clearing Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: To protect the closed forest and Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub remnants Strategies: Extinguish any fires in or around the closed forest Exclude fire, other than pile burns, for at least 10 years in Type A vegetation that has burnt within the last 5 years. Biodiversity may decline in the next 5 years in areas that have not burnt for 10 or more years. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Fire History: Pre 1990 - Frequent fires of varying size, with much of the area burning every 7-8 years. Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location: 1/1991 Arson High 0.3ha Top of Happy Valley 12/1991 Arson High 0.2ha Top of Happy Valley 2/1992 Arson High 0.2ha Top of Happy Valley 11/1993 Arson Low 5ha Top of Happy Valley 4/1995 Hazard Red. Low 2ha Above Cape Banks Rd 5/1995 Pile burns Low 0.1ha Below Grose St, top of Happy Valley 8/1996 Eco. burn High 1ha Above Cape Banks Rd 3/1998 Arson High 4ha North from Cape Banks Rd. 9/1998 Pile burns Medium 0.5ha South of west end of Grose St Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Closed forest (0.5) - C 0.15 0.06 0.35 In gully below Grose St. This area should Glochidion fernandi & have fire excluded for 15+ years. Acmena smithii. Open Forest (3.7) - B. A 0.02 0.06 0.23
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 142 integrifolia & Corymbia gummifera Scrub (2.7) - B. aemula Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub - Protected & Xanthosia resinifera A 0.01 0 0.39 Community under the Threatened Species Heath (47.5) - Cons. Act. B. ericifolia A 0.49 2.2 6.54
Rulingia hermanniifolia A Threatened species - both occur on the east edge of the south facing gully in the Platysace stephensonii A central part of this area. That section has not burnt for 10+ years. Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure: Cape Banks Road (owned and managed by Dept. of Walking track Land & Water Conservation) Telstra Boundary fence Signs (plastic coated). Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information:
Control line: Cape Banks Rd, Grose St, Henry Head walking track. Access: Cape Banks Rd, Grose St, Henry Head walking track. Telstra site - Access via Jennifer St. Gate has bilock. Local NPWS staff hold keys. - Site is only staffed on Tuesdays. - Some of the towers emit high energy microwaves and have marked exclusion zones. Safety: some steep areas. Evacuation points: Cape Banks Rd, Grose St. Water: Hydrants on Grose St at Abbe Receveur Place, mains at N.P.W.S. workshop. Helipad: Scout Camp. Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville Land owned by DLWC between Grose St & Marconi Place may be affected by fire in this area
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 143 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay ( North) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 5 - Jennifer Street Lands Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Jennifer St Telstra fence Cape Banks Road Golf Club Driving Range (leased Crown land) Cobblestone road. Land owned by La Perouse Land Council
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 15 Lower; 84 Negligible; 1
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect private property along Jennifer St. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain zone at 20 metres along Jennifer St by slashing & manual clearing, fuel <5t/ha Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to protect the natural heritage assets and visitor facilities Strategies: Extinguish all wildfires Boardwalk is to be given priority in a wildfire and protected during ecological burns. Fire is to be excluded from the woodland area and from the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub unless indicated by the Recovery Plan. Biodiversity may decline in the Kunzea Scrub if there is no fire within 10 years
Fire History: This area has been highly disturbed for 30 years, with many small fires related to car theft & arson. Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1983 Arson High 4 - 5ha Upper 2/1994 Arson High 0.5ha Central area to east of boardwalk
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Woodland - (6.1) C 0 n.a. 2.01 Continuous with woodland on the Telstra Angophora costata land. Burnt 20+ years ago? Scrub - Kunzea ambigua A 0.23 n.a. 0.89 Much of this has not burnt for 15+ & Melaleuca nodosa (3.1) years & may have exceeded Heath - Banksia aemula & biodiversity thresholds. Xanthosia resinifera (2.7) A 0 n.a. 2.29 Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 144 Endangered Community under the Two sedge swamps (0.46) T.S.C. Act. Recovering from weed infestation and erosion problems. Gonocarpus salsoloides. D 0 n.a. 0.27 Areas with locally rare flora Darwinia lepthantha, Melaleuca squamea & Boronia parviflora A Threatened species. Not recorded in this area since 1989. Previously found around the sedge swamps. Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Land Council Land. Boardwalk - Steel frame and wooden top. Telstra fence. (Bushland Concrete paths at either end of boardwalk. through these areas is continuous) Park seats Interpretation shelter Fencing Wooden bollard fences Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information: Control lines: Jennifer St, boardwalk, Cape Banks Rd, Evacuation points: Jennifer St and Cape Banks Road via boardwalk Access: Jennifer St, Cape Banks Rd, Cobblestone Rd (via St Michaels Golf Course Access Rd), Driving Range boundary (via track at Driving Range office off St Michaels G. C. Access Rd). Telstra site - Access via Jennifer St. Gate has bi-lock. Local NPWS staff hold keys. - Site is only staffed on Tuesdays. - Some of the towers emit high energy microwaves and have exclusion zones marked. Water: Hydrant at end of Jennifer St., stand pipes on Telstra land, dam at N.E. corner on Driving Range boundary. Helipad: At Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 145 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 6 - Henry Hill Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Botany Bay NSW Golf Club and Loop Road Congwong Beach management trail Henry Head management trail
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 39 Medium; 61 Lower; 0 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies: Asset Protection Zone Objective: To minimise risk of bushfire damage to the NPWS workshop Strategies: A 2 metre mown buffer will be maintained around the NPWS workshop compound. Fuel loads in the surrounding 20 metres will not exceed 5 t/ha, to be achieved by slashing and manual clearing. Extinguish all wildfires
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect to protect the Golf Course and workshop. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method, maintain fuel level at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning, extinguish all wildfires.
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural assets Strategies: Exclude all fire from the Heath/Scrub areas for at least 10 years Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing A buffer of 10 metres with fuel loads kept below 5 t/ha by slashing and selective clearing is to be maintained around the forts and Henry Hill Observation Post. Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location: 8/1989 Arson High 0.2ha Henry Head 1/1991 Arson High 40ha All of area except north tip 9/1991 Arson Medium 0.5ha Above Congwong Beach 11/1993 Arson High 1ha North tip, into area 4 7/1993 Arson Low 0.01ha Gate near Golf Club workshop 8/1995 Arson Medium 3ha Above Congwong Beach 1996 Arson Low 0.1ha NPWS Workshop 9/1998 Pile Burns Low 0.1ha West side of Henry Head Rd. 10/1998 Arson? High 30ha East from Little Congwong to Browns Rock 2000 Arson Medium 0.1ha East side of Congwong Beach Mgt. Trail Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Heath/Scrub - Banksia A 0.23 1.74 19.33 Most of this vegetation has burnt twice in serrata & integrifolia the last 9 years. Biodiversity thresholds (47.5) will be exceeded if there is further fire. Occurs south of Cape Banks Rd down to Open forest - Angophora C 0 0.9 3.84 the gully & SE of Little Congwong Beach.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 146 costata (6.1) Hasn’t burnt for 20+ years. Fauna:
Colony of Miniopterus australis (Bent Wing Bats) - overwinter (May to October) in Henry Head Powder Magazine.
Private Property: Infrastructure: Browns Rock Walking Track Endeavour Light (Sydney Ports Corporation) Walking track with two timber boardwalks Overhead power lines to Endeavour Light on timber Henry Head Fire Trail poles (to be put underground in 1999?). Henry Head Management Trail Water Main along road NPWS La Perouse workshop Gates - Henry Head Rd, H.H. Fire Trail & Beach Trail. Cultural Assets: Comments Henry Head fortifications Henry Hill Observation Post Cobblestone Road Two Aboriginal shell middens 45-6-0556 Shell middens are on foreshore and are unlikely to be affected by fire. One is fenced. Incident Information: Control lines: Cape Banks Rd, Henry Head Rd, Henry Head Fire Trail, Henry Hd. walking track. Safety: Radio reception is poor in area of Little Congwong Beach Evacuation points: Anzac Parade, NSW Golf Club. Access: Cape Banks Road, (CapeBanks Rd is closed by a gate close to the junction with Anzac Pde between 7pm and 6.30am. Land Managers, Matraville F.B. and Police hold keys) . Main gate to NSW Golf Club closed between 8pm & 6am (Keys held by local NPWS staff, police, Fire Brigade). Gate at Park Boundary on Henry Head Rd has an A key padlock. No vehicle access is possible to little Congwong Beach. Water: La Perouse NPWS workshop, NSW Golf Club workshop. Helipad: At Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Fuel, paints, herbicide at NPWS workshop kept in external secure shed Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville Henry Hill Observation Post provides 360 degree view of the area.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 147 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 7 - Cruwee (a.k.a. Pussy Cat) Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Henry Head Management Trail NSW Golf Club Botany Bay
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 17 Medium; 80 Lower; 3 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To prevent the spread of fire through the park; to protect natural assets; to protect the Golf Club land. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain the Strategic Zone of 10 metres along Henry Head Road below 15 t/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning. Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Biodiversity may decline if there is any fire event within 8 years. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Avoid disturbance to the Aboriginal sites.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1/1991 Arson High 10ha Henry Head area 1993 Arson High 1ha Blue Cod Gully 10/1998 Arson? High 8ha From eastern edge of Blue Cod Gully to east end of Cruwee Cove (including Golf Club land)
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserves) (Table 4.2)
Heath/Scrub - Aotus A n.a. 0.65 9.06 Most of this vegetation burnt 10/1998. ericoides, Baeckia Biodiversity thresholds will be exceeded imbricata & if it burns again within 8 years. Banksia spp (9.7)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 148 Around lake in N.W. of area Ephemeral sedge swamp D n.a. 0.09 0 (0.46) Threatened Species. Regenerating above Rulingia hermanniifolia A Cruwee Cove after fire of 10/98.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Nil Walking track
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal shell midden In a foreshore area that is unlikely to burn. 45-6-0648
Incident Information:
Control lines: Walking track, Henry Head road, NSW Golf Club boundary. Safety: Cliff line with slippery rocks. Evacuation points: Access: Via Henry Head Road - access to Golf Club is restricted by the need to minimise damage to Golf Course property. Water: Golf Club workshop Helipad: At Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Radio reception is poor throughout this area.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 149 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 8 - Cape Banks Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Botany Bay Pedestrian bridge
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 10 Medium; 61 Lower; 29 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural & cultural assets Strategies: Maintain walking track at <2 t/ha by manual clearing An area of 5 metres around the Golf Club tee will be maintained with a fuel load below 5 t/ha by mowing. Extinguish all wildfires Avoid disturbance to the Aboriginal site.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Heath - Baeckia A n.a. n.a. 4.5 All vegetation is severely wind pruned and imbricata, Correa alba on skeletal soil. A fire event may lead to loss & Westringia of soil and vegetation. fruticosa (4.5)
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 150 Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Footbridge (steel and timber) Golf Club tee (6th) leased to NSW Golf Course Seat Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal midden One shell midden has been recorded in an area that is 46-6-1062 unlikely to be affected by fire.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Neck of peninsula at foot bridge. Safety: Cliff line with slippery rocks, high wind area. Evacuation points: Foot bridge. Access: Only foot access is possible. Water: Ocean Helipad: At Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 151 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 9 - Scout Camp Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Cape Banks bridge Pacific Ocean NSW Golf Club Trail from Scout Camp toilet block to sea cliff.
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 45 Lower; 55 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zones Objective: To protect Cape Banks Road Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel load on the cliff edge below 15 t/ha by slashing, prescribed burning and herbicide use. Maintain the fire breaks around the historic remains and Scout Camp at <5 t/ha by slashing and mowing. Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: To protect the historic heritage resources of Cape Banks fortifications Strategies: Extinguish all wildfires Fire may be used for pest management ie pile burns for Bitou control. Maintain Cape Banks road and walking track at <2 t/ha by manual clearing.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
9/1994 Arson Low 1ha Scout Camp 4/1997 Arson Low 0.1ha (car) Scout Camp
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Small areas of remnant A n.a. 3.5 6.4 Vegetation in this area is mainly weeds, with vegetation on sea cliffs monocultures of Bitou Bush on highly disturbed soils and some turfed areas around the historic gun emplacements.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 152 The biological control programs for Bitou have increased fuel loads. Burns in this area are planned as part of pest management and revegetation programs.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
“The Scout Camp” (leased to NSW Scout Association) Toilet block Cape Banks Management Trail - Bitumen/Gravel road Gate Signs Mains water
Cultural Assets: Comments
Cape Banks fortifications, First Aid bunker, Oil store Historic remains - no fuel stored there and underground support facilities.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Cape Banks Management Trail, walking tracks, Golf Course boundary, Safety: Steep cliffs, Evacuation points: Pistol Club Access: Cape Banks Road & Cape Banks Management Trail. Water: Mains water at Toilet block & Pistol Club Helipad: Scout Camp (designated helipad for Botany Bay NP) Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Water Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Good staging area.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 153 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 10 - Coast Cemetery Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Pacific Ocean Coast Cemetery Management trail St Michaels Golf Course Cape Banks Road Trail from Scout Camp toilet block to sea cliff.
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 20 Lower; 66 Negligible; 14
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect The Pistol Club & St Michaels Golf Course property Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel at <2 t/ha by manual clearing The open areas within the Coast Cemetery will be mown monthly Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural assets Strategies: The Coastal Cemetery and it’s perimeter fence will be protected by maintaining a 5 metre slashed boundary around it. Maintain Management Trails and walking track at <2 t/ha by manual clearing. Exclude all fire from areas affected by soil movement problems (east edge) Biodiversity may decline in the Heath if there is no fire within the next 10 years
Fire History: This area is a recent addition to the Park. Prior fire history is not known. It is at least 10 years since the Heath last burnt, probably much longer. The cemetery has had no fire for 100+ years. Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) The eastern part is affected by major soil movement problems. Heath - A 0 n.a. 13.62 This vegetation has probably not burnt for Melaleuca nodosa & B. 10+ years & some parts, 20+ years. ericifolia (47.5) Biodiversity thresholds may have been
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 154 exceeded. Wet heath / sedgeland D 0 n.a. 0.1 (0.46) Swamp - D 0 n.a. 0.1 Remnant adjacent to Coastal Cemetery. Melaleuca Fire should be excluded. quinquenervia (0.1) Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Septic tanks at NW edge of cemetery Cemetery perimeter timber post & rail fence Coast Management Trail Coast Cemetery management Trail
Cultural Assets: Comments
Coastal cemetery Aboriginal shell midden In an area that is unlikely to burn.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Coast Cemetery Management Trail, Coast Management Trail, Cape Banks road, Golf Course boundaries, Safety: Avoid Coast Cemetery Management Trail during a going fire as it is in poor condition. Evacuation points: Coast Trail gate. Access:. Coast Management Trail. Water: Mains water at septic tank & Pistol Club, ponds on Golf Club at north end of Park. Helipad: Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Water Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 155 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
BBN 11 - Military Village Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Cape Banks Road NSW Golf Club
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 10 Lower; 47.5 Negligible; 42.5
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: to protect the NSW Golf Course property & the occupied heritage buildings. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method The houses will be protected by maintaining a 5 metre slashed/mown boundary around them with fuel loads in the next 10 metres to be kept <5 t/ha by mowing, slashing or prescribed burns Maintain the roads at <2 t/ha by manual clearing. Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural assets Strategies: Extinguish all wildfires Exclude all fire other than pile burns for at least 5 years. Exclude all fire from the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub for 5 years An R.E.F. valid until late 1999 has been determined for this area and pile burning may be used until then.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
6/1995 Pile Burn Low 0.1ha All piles were on and below the slope between 6/1996 Pile Burns Low 1ha the Officers Mess (“the Big House”) and the 5/1997 Pile Burn Low 0.5ha other houses. 7/2000 Arson Medium 1.0ha Vegetated area to the east of cemetery. Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Much of this area was occupied by Army buildings. The vegetation was largely cleared and the soil highly disturbed. The current vegetation is regrowth with some plantings.
Heath - Banksia serrata A 0.95 n.a. 0.93 & Monotoca elliptica (14.6) Heath (2.7) A 0 n.a. 0.9
Fauna:
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 156 Private Property: Infrastructure: Cape Banks Road NIL Village Access Road Telephones Power poles Signs Water Mains Transformer Street Lights Six houses with garages Fences (wooden and wire) Cultural Assets: Comments
Bunkers - underground plotting room (including above All are of low flammability ground structures). Cape Banks Observation Post Foundations of buildings from Army occupation era.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Cape Banks Road, Golf Course boundary. Safety: Overhead power lines Evacuation points: Coast Trail gate. Access:. Cape Banks Road. Water: Mains water in houses, hydrants at Officers Mess (“The Big House”) and along Village Road. NSW Golf Club Dam is suitable for helicopter water bucketing. Helipad: Scout Camp Hazardous substances: Household products, vehicles etc in houses. Utilities: Water, power. Council Area: City of Randwick Council Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Matraville
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 157 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 158 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 159 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 160 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 161 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 162 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 163 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 1 - Bottle & Glass Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Vaucluse Bay (Port Jackson) Cliff line - from north of change room to Greycliffe Avenue. Greycliffe Avenue Coolong Avenue Fence line to pumping station
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 10.5 Medium; 28 Lower; 15 Negligible; 43.5
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: to protect private property along Coolong Ave. and the Pump Station Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel loads below 5 t/ha by slashing and manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural heritage assets Strategies: Biodiversity may be in decline in the scrub & woodland areas. Any fires must not be allowed to affect infrastructure - power poles, etc. Remove any debris resulting from weed control programs
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1970s - Camp fires Low 0.01ha Many spots along the cliff top 1980s
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) The crest & east side of the hill have not Low woodland - B 0 n.a. 0.15 burnt for at least 30 years, exceeding the Angophora costata & B. biodiversity thresholds. The vegetation integrifolia (4) shows signs of senescence and weed & Open scrub - Kunzea A 0 n.a. 0.99 mesic infestation.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 164 ambigua/ Melaleuca nodosa (6.4) The area above the cliffs has been filled & Low woodland - B 0.01 n.a. 0.17 was used as a car park for many years. B. integrifolia (0.25) Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Pump station (Sydney Water) Rubbish bins Seats Park Management Road Stone steps Gate Womens Toilet Block Power line (wooden poles) Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Shell Midden 45-6-1524
Incident Information:
Control Lines: Coolong Ave, Bottle & Glass Loop Road, Steps above Change Room, Harbour foreshore. Safety: Overhead power line across S.E. corner. Evacuation point: Gate on Bottle & Glass Loop at Coolong Ave. Access: Coolong Road. (Padlock on gate on Loop Road has an A key.) Water: Toilet & change room. Helipad: May be possible on grassed area. Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Electricity, water mains, underground phone line to Sewer pump station. Council Area: Woollhara Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 165 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 2 - The Park Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Shark Beach Pathway from Shark Bay (west) to Naval buildings Greycliffe House Road and car park. Mowed edge around east edge of Mt Trefle Vaucluse Rd Greycliffe Avenue Cliff line - from north of change room to Greycliffe Avenue.
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 4 Lower; 0 Negligible; 96
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect property assets and maintain heritage values of the Park. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain the road and pathways at <2 t/ha. Maintain grassed areas at <2 t/ha by mowing. Maintain remaining vegetation at <15 t/ha by slashing or manual removal of fuel Gas fired barbecues are permitted Extinguish all wildfires
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
NIL n.a. 0 n.a. n.a. All original vegetation has been removed. The vegetation is now lawn with scattered planted trees and some beds of planted native shrubs. Fauna:
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 166 Private property:
NIL
Infrastructure: Access Road Car Park Path Hand rails (steel) External showers Seats Sewer pump station Bins & recycling station Shark net (summer) and support wires Gate Wooden fence & bollards Signs Power lines (overhead, wooden poles) Cultural Assets: Comments Greycliffe House and residence Kiosk & Halbert Pavilion (leased) Exclude fire from all areas Gardeners Cottage Dressing pavilion and tunnel Toilet Block Club House/Change room Heritage tree plantings and Gardens. Incident Information:
Control Lines: Shark Bay (Port Jackson), Greycliffe Avenue (including Car Parking area), Path from Vaucluse Road to kiosk, Greycliffe House Driveway, Stairs from Shark Bay (west) to Steel Pt Naval building, Foreshore footpath. Safety: High level of public usage particularly on weekends and holidays. Access may be restricted by the volume of vehicles and people in the area. Evacuation point: Greycliffe Avenue Access: Kiosk driveway from Greycliffe Ave, Greycliffe House driveway (from Vaucluse Rd). Water: All buildings have mains water and there are numerous taps. Helipad: Possible on grassed area on Bottle and Glass Point. Hazardous substances: Utilities: Electricity (overhead power lines), water mains, base radio at Greycliffe House. Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Residents in Gardeners Cottage, Greycliffe House residence & Kiosk residence.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 167 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 3- Steel Point Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park.
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Harbour Pathway from Shark Bay (west) to Naval buildings House perimeter fence from Naval building to cliff
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 19 Medium; 25 Lower; 0 Negligible; 56
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the Naval building & Steel Point Cottage. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain grassed areas at <2 t/ha by mowing. Maintain the road and pathways at <2 t/ha. Extinguish all wildfires
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain the cultural assets Strategies: Exclude fire Maintain grassed areas at <2 t/ha by mowing.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
12/1990 Arson Low 0.1ha Close to cliff edge by naval station 5/1999 Pile burn Low 25sqm Middle of east side, above cliffs
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Glochidion C 0 n.a. 0.17 Low conservation value. This area is heavily ferdinandii & disturbed. Weed removal and revegetation Pittosporum work was carried out in mid 1999 and fire undulatum (0.8) regime should be reconsidered as the plantings
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 168 mature.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Naval Station (owned by Dept of Defence) Power poles Lights
Cultural Assets: Comments
Fortifications Low flammability Steel Point Cottage (1880) High flammability NPWS residence
Incident Information:
Control Lines: Port Jackson, Shark Bay Foreshore footpath, Stairs from Shark Bay (west) to Steel Pt Naval building, Greycliffe House Driveway, fence line along southside of NPWS house. Safety: Steep cliff edges and slopes. Evacuation point: Shark Beach Access: Greycliffe House driveway (from Vaucluse Rd). Water: Mains water, hydrants and stand pipes in Naval station Helipad: Possible on grassed area on Bottle and Glass Point. Hazardous substances: Small quantities of fuel & paint in Naval Station Utilities: Electricity, water mains. Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 169 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 4 - Mt Trefle Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Steel Point Road Mown border of picnic lawns Vaucluse Rd
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 2.4 Medium; 59 Lower; 35 Negligible; 3
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the NPWS workshop Strategies: Maintain a 5 metre zone around the workshop perimeter fence at < 5 t/ha by slashing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect the pathway as an access route Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone fuel level at <15T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural assets Strategies: Biodiversity of Kunzea scrub may decline if it remains unburnt Biodiversity of Angophora woodland may decline if it remains unburnt. Maintain the road and pathways at <2 t/ha.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
Mid-late Unknown unknown 1ha NE section 1970s
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Closed shrubland - A 0 0.39 1.07 Biodiversity thresholds have been Kunzea ambigua & exceeded. Hasn’t burnt for 30+ years. Melaleuca nodosa Vegetation is senescing. (6.4) Woodland - (4) B 0.37 0.15 3.42 Biodiversity thresholds have been
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 170 Angophora costata exceeded. Hasn’t burnt for 30+ years. Low Closed Forest - C 0 0.06 0.41 Low conservation value - extending due to Glochidion ferdinandii low fire frequency. & P. undulatum (0.8)
Acacia terminalis B Threatened species - probably indigenous, sub.sp terminalis scattered through this area.
Allocasuarina A? Threatened species - plantings grown from portuensis seeds from individuals elsewhere in the Park.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Stone steps Walking track Road to workshop NPWS workshop, yard and fence. Stone wall Signs
Cultural Assets: Comments
Shelter & midden 45-6-0560, 2352
Incident Information:
Control Lines: Steel Point Road, footpath, mown border around east edge Safety: Steep slopes, slippery rocks Evacuation point: Vaucluse Road gate. Access: Steel Point Road(from Vaucluse Rd) - boom gate opens by button on approach road during business hours, Code needed A.H. and weekends. Water: Mains water, hydrant and Striker unit at workshop. Helipad: Possible on grassed area on Bottle and Glass Point. Hazardous substances: Fuel, lubricants, paint in external stores at NPWS workshop. Utilities: Electricity, water mains, base radio at NPWS workshop. Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 171 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 5 - Hermitage Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Steel Point Road House perimeter fence from Naval building to cliff Rose Bay Northern fence line of Strickland House
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 65 Medium; 35 Lower; 0 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect the vegetation of Mt Trefle and the NPWS workshop Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone fuel level at <5T/ha by manual clearing and mowing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain the natural assets including the threatened species Allocasuarina portuensis Strategies: Biodiversity of Kunzea scrub may decline if it remains unburnt Biodiversity of Angophora woodland may decline if it remains unburnt Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing The impact of fire on Allocasuarina portuensis is not yet clear. Until the recovery plan for this species is adopted and plants successfully propagated by Mt Annan Botanic Garden fire is to be excluded from the area where they occur.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
early Arson High All of area 1960s 70s - 80s Camp fires Low 0.01ha Several small camp fires
12/1990 Arson Low 0.01ha
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Hasn’t burnt for 20+ years. Biodiversity Heath - (6.4) Kunzea A n.a. 0.08 3.84 thresholds have been exceeded. ambigua & Melaleuca Vegetation is senescing with infestations nodosa with emergent of weeds & mesic species. Angophora costata
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 172 Woodland - (4) Angophora costata C n.a. 0 0.07 Allocasuarina A? Threatened species. 1 individual only. The portuensis area has been the subject to Bush Acacia terminalis Regeneration work.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Timber Board walk and hand rails Timber bridge Timber wharf and ramps Picnic tables Bins Sign Steps
Cultural Assets: Comments
NIL
Incident Information:
Control Lines: Steel Point Road , Foreshore walking trail. Safety: Slippery, steep surfaces, irregular trail surface. Evacuation point: Vaucluse Road gate. Access: Steel Point Road (from Vaucluse Rd) - boom gate opens by button on approach road, code needed AH and weekends. Water: Mains water, hydrant and Striker unit at workshop. Helipad: Possible on grassed area on Bottle and Glass Point. Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Base radio at NPWS workshop. Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 173 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
NP 6 - Hermitage Foreshore Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park.
Management Area Boundaries:
Rose Bay Bay View Hill Lane Fence line of private property (on Vaucluse Ave, Carrara Rd & Little Queens Ave.)
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 0 Negligible; 100
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: To protect the residences bordering the Foreshore and trail Strategies: Extinguish all wildfire Maintain the pathways at <2 t/ha. Remnant Heath should not be burnt as further weed invasion is a likely consequence. Weed control should be advanced and ongoing before fire is considered there.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
9/1996 Camp fire? Low 0.01ha Below Carrara Rd
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Majority of vegetation is weeds of low flammability
Heathland - Kunzea A n.a. n.a. 0.2 Small patch at northern and southern tips of ambigua & Melaleuca the area. Biodiversity thresholds may have
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 174 nodosa been exceeded by the lack of fire. (6.4)
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Signs Bins Timber boardwalk and hand rails Hermit wharf
Cultural Assets: Comments
Hermit Point wharf / seawalls
Incident Information:
Control Lines: Hermitage track, Harbour foreshore Safety: Slippery, steep surfaces, irregular trail surface. Evacuation point: Little Queens Avenue, Queens Ave, Carrara Rd, Strickland House. Access: Steel Point Road (from Vaucluse Rd) – boom gate opens by button on approach road, code needed AH and weekends. Water: Harbour Helipad: Nil Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Nil Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 175 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 176 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 177 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 178 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 179 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 180 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 181 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 182 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 183 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 184 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 185 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
SH 1 - South Head South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Port Jackson Heads (Pacific Ocean) HMAS Watson North end of Lady Bay (Lady Jane Beach)
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 23 Medium; 59 Lower; 17 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect historic Lightkeepers houses and NPWS service area Strategies: Maintain lawn areas around the houses and light house at <2 t/ha by mowing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: to protect the roads and walking tracks. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain strategic zone fuel level at <5T/ha by manual clearing or prescribed burning Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain natural and cultural assets Strategies: Exclude all fire other than ecological pile burns
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
4/1998 Pile burn Low 0.01ha 4/1999 Arson Low 0.01ha Cliffs above north end of Lady Bay 2000 Arson Low 0.01ha Cliffs above north end of Lady Bay
Size (in hectares) and bio-diversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Park) (Table 4.2)
Low woodland - A 0.2 0.43 2.51 Mainly from recent revegetation work, Banksia integrifolia & possibly with some regrowth of remnants. Leptospermum Fire regime should be re-examined as
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 186 laevigatum (10.1) plantings mature.
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Hornby Light (Sydney Port Authority) Concrete walking paths Electricity poles (timber) and lines Road Boardwalks and bridges Signs Wooden fence Helipad
Cultural Assets: Comments
Head Light Keepers Cottage Assistant Light Keepers Cottage Fortifications, walls, gun emplacements, earthworks, redoubts. Foundations of searchlight shelters. Underground bunkers Shelter & midden 45-6-0918, 0919, 1518
Incident Information: Control lines: Road, concrete walking path Safety considerations: High wind area, high cliffs Evacuation points: HMAS Watson gate Access: Via road through HMAS Watson (gate – defence key only). Water: Mains Water at houses Helipads: Within Naval Base Hazardous substances: Nil. Other Services: Power lines along road entrance from Naval Base Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Resident NPWS staff in Head Light Keepers house
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 187 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
SH 2 - Camp Cove South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Port Jackson HMAS Watson Cliff Street HMAS Watson Entrance Drive
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 45 Medium; 40 Lower; 0 Negligible; 15
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: to protect Constables cottage, house & toilets Strategies: Maintain area of 10 metres around Constables Cottage etc. at < 5t/ha by slashing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: to protect the roads and tracks. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain walking tracks and road at <2T/ha by manual clearing and a 5 metre boundary (where possible) at <5 t/ha by slashing or manual clearing. Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to protect the natural and cultural heritage assets Strategies: Exclude all fire except ecological pile burns Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
1970s & Arson & camp Low Small Several small fires along foreshore 1980s fires 4/1999 Arson Low 0.01ha Stairs at south end of Lady Bay 5/1999 Arson Low 0.01ha Roadside opposite top of walkway from Camp Cove Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open scrub - A n.a. n.a. 2.12 Small patches of remnant vegetation on cliff Leptospermum faces. laevigatum (6.9) Most of area is highly disturbed and vegetation is mainly weeds and lawns of low
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 188 flammability
Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Toilet block Bitumen road Walking track Fences
Cultural Assets: Comments
Cobblestone Road Fortifications Gun emplacement with cannon Constables Cottage and garage Residence Midden 45-6-0921, 0922, 1517
Incident Information:
Control lines: Road and car park, Cobblestone Road, Cliff Street, Safety considerations: Northern walking track is in a narrow area. Evacuation points: Camp Cove Beach Access: Road through HMAS Watson (gate – defence key only) Water: HMAS Watson, Constables Cottage, Toilet Block Helipads: HMAS Watson Hazardous substances: Nil. Other Services: Nil Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Constables Cottage is holiday accommodation.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 189 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
SH 3 - Gap Bluff South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
HMAS Watson Pacific Ocean Military Road Cliff Street HMAS Watson Entrance Drive
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 16 Medium; 56 Lower; 6 Negligible; 22
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: To protect the Armoury and Officers Mess Strategies: Maintain the area around the Armoury and Officers Mess at < 2t/ha by mowing Extinguish all wildfire
Strategic Fire Management Zone Objective: To protect the road and tracks Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain walking tracks at <2 t/ha by manual clearing and a 2 metre boundary along the tracks and roads at <5 t/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain cultural and heritage assets Strategies: Exclude all fire except ecological pile burns in conjunction with weed control work. Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Maintain fuel levels in the cultural gardens at <5 t/ha by mowing, slashing and manual clearance.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2) Low Open Forest - A 0 0.1 3.1 Banksia integrifolia Regenerating remnants & plantings. (10.1) Fuel loads are likely to increase in the next Open scrub - A 0 0.2 0.8 few years as the vegetation matures and fire Leptospermum regime should be re-assessed then.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 190 laevigatum (6.9) Open scrub - (1.8) A 0 0 1.8 Kunzea ambigua & Melaleuca nodosa Threatened species: Scattered along the Acacia terminalis A western side of the slope, extending sub.sp terminalis. northward into the bushland within HMAS Watson. Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Electricity substation Fences Toilet Block Signs Seats Handrail Paths Lights (ground) Steps
Cultural Assets: Comments
Plantings Fortifications Officers Mess Armoury Cottage
Incident Information:
Control lines: HMAS Watson Road and car park, Military Road, Cliff Street, walking tracks. Safety considerations: Evacuation points: Military Road gate. Access: From Military Road (gate has A key) Water: HMAS Watson, Armoury, Officers Mess, Toilet Block. Helipads: HMAS Watson Hazardous substances: Nil. Other Services: Electricity to all buildings Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Resident caretaker in residence.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 191 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
SH 4 - Green Point South Head, (aka Laings Point) Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Boundaries:
Port Jackson Car park on Pacific Street Houses off Pacific Street
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 5 Medium; 75 Lower; 20 Negligible; 0
Objectives and strategies:
Asset Protection Zone Objective: to protect adjoining properties on Pacific St and the heritage assets Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain border of 5 metres around house at <2T/ha by manual clearing and mowing Extinguish all fire
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to maintain cultural and heritage assets Strategies: Pile burns may be undertaken to remove refuse and promote regeneration and biodiversity in conjunction with weed control works Maintain walking tracks at <2T/ha by manual clearing Extinguish all wildfire
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
12/1991 Arson Low 250sqm Next to NPWS residence
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Heath (1) A n.a. n.a. 1 Canopy species is Coral trees, some plantings of native Heath species (Acacia sophorae etc.) with heavy weed infestation. Much of understorey is exotic
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 192 grasses.
Acacia terminalis Scattered through northern end of management area. Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Fences Signs Seats Concrete Paths Steps Rubbish bins External Shower Toilet Block Light poles
Cultural Assets: Comments
Plantings Sandstone Navigation Marker (1850) Fortifications (WW 2) Submarine Boom Winch House foundations. Governor Phillip Memorial Residence
Incident Information:
Control lines: Foreshore, Pacific St. Safety considerations: High public use area, uneven rock surfaces Evacuation points: Pacific Street Car Park. Access: Pacific Street Water: Mains to houses, street hydrants. Helipads: HMAS Watson Hazardous substances: Nil. Other Services: Electricity to all surrounding buildings Council Area: Woollahra Local Fire Brigade: NSW FB Bondi
Pacific Street residence is holiday accommodation.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 193 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 194 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 195 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 196 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 197 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 198 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 199 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 200 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 201 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
Rodd Island Rodd Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 0 Negligible; 100
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to protect the heritage assets of the Island Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel loads below 5 t/ha by mowing, slashing and hand clearing. Extinguish all fire.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve)
n.a. n.a n.a. n.a. n.a. Cleared grassland and some plantings
Fauna:
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 202 Private Property: Infrastructure:
NIL Wharf Finger wharf Toilet block Concrete pathways Signs Picnic tables and seats Bins Fences Steps
Cultural Assets: Comments
The Hall Caretakers Cottage Gazebo Summer houses (two) Sandstone foundations (change rooms) Aboriginal midden Aboriginal Burial site
Incident Information:
Control lines: Sydney harbour Safety Considerations: low cliff lines. Evacuation points: Main wharf, finger wharf Access: Main wharf, finger wharf Water: Mains water throughout site, Harbour Helipad: Grassed areas on west and centre of Island Hazardous substances: Some farm chemicals and small amount fuel (petrol) in the Store Utilities: Underground power (From east edge), water (from West) telephone Local Fire Brigade: Sydney Ports Authority Resident caretaker Island may hold up to 100 people on week-end days in summer.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 203 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 204 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 205 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
Shark Island Shark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 0 Negligible; 100
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to protect the cultural heritage items Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fuel loads at <5 t/ha by mowing, slashing and hand clearing. Avoid disturbance to Aboriginal sites Extinguish all wildfire
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
10/1989 Arson low 0.01ha South end 11/1996 Arson low 0.01ha On the wharf
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve)
n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Cleared grassland and some plantings of native and non-native species.
Fauna:
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 206 Private Property: Infrastructure:
Dept of Defence - Naval degaussing buildings Wharf Metrological Bureau anemometer Toilet block Picnic shelters (five) Seats Signs Bins Foreshore walking track
Cultural Assets: Comments
Pavilion Cultural plantings Two aboriginal middens Sandstone steps Concrete path Flagpole site Water tank Change room Old toilet blocks
Incident Information:
Control lines: foreshores, pathways, grassed areas. Safety: Low cliff lines Evacuation points: Wharf. Access: Wharf Water: Mains (taps at gazebo and toilets), Harbour. Helipad: possible landing site on south end of Island. Hazardous substances: Nil Utilities: Electricity to degaussing station (underground), water (from west), sewage. Local Fire Brigade: Sydney Ports Authority.
Island may hold up to 1000 people on week-end days in summer, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and Australia Day.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 207 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 208 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 209 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
Clark Island Clark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 40 Negligible; 60
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: to protect the heritage assets of the Island. Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment Method Maintain fuel loads below 15 t/ha by slashing & selective brush removal. Extinguish all fires other than pile burns
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
NIL
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments (ha in Reserve)
Low forest of n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.37 From revegetation plantings in 1970’s with Pittosporum/Banksia the mesic species predominating. Mown lawn Pile burns could be used to attempt to enhance biodiversity.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 210 Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Metrological Bureau anemometer Wharf Septic tank Seats Signs Tables Bins Fencing (chain & timber posts) Steel steps Concrete pathway Light poles
Cultural Assets: Comments
Sandstone water tank Sandstone toilet block Stone steps Sandstone flagging pathways.
Incident Information:
Control lines: Foreshore, grassed area, pathways. Safety: Evacuation points: Wharf Access: Wharf Water: Mains water to taps at toilet and wharf, Harbour. Helipad: Grassed areas, northern & southern. Hazardous substances: Nil Other utilities: Nil Local Fire Brigade: Sydney Ports Authority
Island may hold up to 150 people on week-end days in summer, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and Australia Day.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 211 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 212 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 213 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 214 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 215 Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) Fire Management Plan
Management Area Profiles
Management Area: Reserve:
Goat Island Goat Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
Management Area Boundaries:
Sydney Harbour
Bushfire behaviour potential (% area)
Higher; 0 Medium; 0 Lower; 8 Negligible; 92
Objectives and strategies:
Heritage Area Management Zone Objective: To protect and maintain the cultural assets and buildings of the Island Strategies: Assess fuel loads prior to fire season each year by Visual Assessment method Maintain fire breaks at <5 t/ha. Maintain pathways at <2 t/ha Avoid disturbance to Aboriginal sites Extinguish all wildfires. Pile burns may be undertaken to remove weed material and promote germination of native seeds.
Fire History: Date: Fire Type: Fire Intensity: Size: Location:
mid 1980s Pile burn low 0.2ha Top of hill 8/1997 Hazard low 1ha Top of hill reduction
Size (in hectares) and biodiversity threshold type of each vegetation community Vegetation Class (ha Type APZ SFMZ HAMZ Comments in Reserve) (Table 4.2)
Open forest - Ficus B n.a. n.a. 0.5 Remnant vegetation on NW cliff line and rubiginosa & Banksia revegetated areas. integrifolia (0.53) Pile burns could be undertaken to remove weed material and promote germination of seeds. (Burning promotes the germination of
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 216 the weed Acacia saligna and follow up weeding to remove this species should be undertaken after any fire.) Acacia terminalis In the revegetation area on the east side of A the island. May be sub.sp. terminalis, grown from seed from plants at North Head. Locally rare species. Occurs near the old Cassinia cunninghamii lime kiln. B Fauna:
Private Property: Infrastructure:
Sydney Ports Authority navigation beacons (steel). Paths signs fencing table seats Cultural Assets: Comments
Aboriginal sites - middens, 45-6-0811 Heritage garden plantings. Multiple heritage buildings, sites and wharves from Colonial era to mid twentieth century -
Incident Information: Control lines: Foreshores, pathways, grassed areas, Safety: Cliffs, overhead power lines. Evacuation points: Wharf Access: Wharf Water: Numerous hydrants through area, numerous taps, Harbour. Helipads: Wharves, grassed areas. Hazardous substances: Farm chemicals, Fuel (in store shed adjacent to pens on NE corner by wharf), Gas bottles above Ship Repair Workshop ( Water Rats kitchen) at South end. Other utilities: Telephones, Base radio, 27mhz Marine radio (Channel 68) at NPWS office at NE end of Island, Electricity from SW. Local Fire Brigade: Sydney Ports Authority NPWS personnel are usually resident on the Island
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 217 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 218 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 219 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 220 Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 221 B. Major vegetation associations in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks
The major vegetation structures and associations are listed in the table below. In addition, they are grouped into communities based on Benson & Howell (Benson & Howell 1994). These communities are related to biodiversity fire thresholds in table 4.2. The communities are: SSGF - Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest; CDF - Coastal Dune Forest; CSH - Coastal Sandstone Heath; CDH - Coastal Dune Heath; CFS - Coastal Freshwater Swamp.
PARK VEGETATION SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS BENSON & STRUCTURE HOWELL COMMUNITY Bradleys Head Low Closed Forest Acmena smithii-Glochidion ferdinandi SSGF Low Open Forest Elaeocarpus reticulatus-Glochidion ferdinandi SSGF Open Woodland/ Eucalyptus botryoides CDF Open Forest Angophora costata SSGF Heath Kunzea ambigua CDH Upper Low Closed Forest Acmena smithii-Glochidion ferdinandi SSGF Clifton Open Woodland Eucalyptus botryoides CDF Gardens Open Woodland Angophora costata SSGF Closed Scrub Banksia ericifolia-Allocasuarina distyla CSH Middle Head Open grassland Exotics Low/Open Woodland Angophora costata SSGF Open Woodland Eucalyptus botryoides (& Corymbia CDF Low Closed Forest gummifera) SSGF Low Open Forest Acmena smithii-Glochidion ferdinandii SSGF Closed Scrub Pittosporum undulatum/ Glochidion ferdinandii CSH Kunzea ambigua-Melaleuca nodosa Dobroyd Head Open Heath/Scrub Banksia ericifolia-Allocasuarina distyla CSH Woodland Angophora costata & Corymbia gummifera SSGF Low/ Woodland Eucalyptus botryoides CDF North Head Cleared grassland Exotics Open Scrub/Heath Banksia ericifolia-Allocasuarina distyla- CSH Closed heathland Melaleuca armillaris CDH Scrub/Heath Leptospermum laevigatum & B. ericifolia CDH Woodland Eucalyptus botryoides CDF Woodland/Open forest Angophora costata SSGF Scrub Casuarina glauca SSGF Nielsen Park Low Woodland Banksia integrifolia CDH Low/Open/ Woodland Angophora costata SSGF Open/Closed Scrub Kunzea ambigua - Melaleuca nodosa CDH Low Closed Forest Glochidion ferdinandii & P. undulatum SSGF South Head Grassland Exotics Open Heathland/Scrub Leptospermum laevigatum-Acacia sophorae CDH Low Woodland Banksia integrifolia CDH Open Scrub Kunzea ambigua-Melaleuca nodosa CDH Shark Island Cleared grassland Exotics Clark Island Open forest Pittosporum undulatum Cleared grassland Exotics Rodd Island Cleared grassland Exotics Goat Island Cleared grassland Exotics Open forest Angophora costata - Banksia integrifolia SSGF
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 222 La Perouse - Grassland Exotics Botany Bay Low Woodland/Forest Angophora costata SSGF (La Perouse Low Open Forest Melaleuca quinquenervia CFW Precinct) Open Forest Banksia integrifolia & Corymbia gummifera CDH Heath Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub CDH Heath Banksia ericifolia-Allocasuarina distyla CSH Heath/Scrub Aotus ericoides-Banksia spp CSH Heath Acacia sophorae-Leptospermum laevigatum CDH Heath/Scrub B serrata & B. integrifolia CSH Low Heath Baeckea sp/Westringia/Correa alba CSH Open Scrub Leptospermum laevigatum CDH Heath/Scrub Kunzea ambigua - Melaleuca nodosa CDH Sedgeland/Swamp Baumea juncea etc./Melaleuca quinquenervia CFS
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 223 C. Vegetation and Fuel Type Classification for the Sydney Region (Modified from Specht, R. L. (1970) "Vegetation". In G. W. Leeper (Ed) The Australian Environment. Melbourne University Press).
Life Form Projected Foliage Cover (%) of the Tallest Stratum Height of the Dense Cover Mid-Dense Cover Sparse Cover Very Sparse Cover Tallest Stratum (70-100%) (30-70%) (10-30%) (<10%) Trees >30m Tall Closed Forest Tall Open Forest Tall Woodland Tall Open Woodland Trees 10-30m Closed Forest Open Forest Woodland Open Woodland Trees <10m Low Closed Forest Low Open Forest Low Woodland Low Open Woodland Shrubs >2m Closed Scrub Open Scrub Tall Shrubland Tall Open Shrubland Shrubs <2m Closed Heath Open Heath Low Shrubland Low Open Shrubland Grass Closed Grassland Open Grassland Open Grassland Open Grassland Sedges Closed Sedgeland Open Sedgeland Open Sedgeland Open Sedgeland Ferns Closed Fernland Open Fernland Open Fernland Open Fernland
Fuel Types
RAINFOREST OPEN FOREST WOODLAND SHRUBLAND GRASSLAND
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 224 D. Bush Fire Coordinating Committee Policy No. 1/03 Classification of Fire Trails
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 225 E. Trails, Roads and Tracks in and adjacent to Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park
Trail Class Length Location Maintained by kms Bradleys Head Rd 1 1.5 Bradleys Head RTA Athol Wharf Rd 1 0.6 Bradleys Head RTA Zoo Wharf - Bradleys Head 7 1 Bradleys Head NPWS Walking Track Bradleys Head - Taylors Gully 7 1.35 Bradleys Head NPWS Walking Track Bradleys Head Track -Zoo 5 0.15 Bradleys Head NPWS Walking Track Morella Rd 1 0.55 Chowder Head RTA Taylors Gully-Clifton Gardens 7 1.5 Chowder Head NPWS Walking Track Clifton Gardens-Rawson Oval 7 0.35 Clifton Gardens NPWS Clifton Gardens SPS-Army 5 0.15 Clifton Gardens NPWS Chowder Bay Rd 1 1.5 Georges Head NPWS Middle Head Rd 1 0.35 Middle Head Commonwealth Governors Drive 1 0.2 Middle Head NPWS Un-named Rd 1 0.25 Middle Head NPWS Cobblers Beach Rd 1 0.35 Middle Head NPWS Chowder Bay Rd - Obelisk Bch 7 0.06 Middle Head NPWS Council Car park-Obelisk Bch 7 0.3 Middle Head NPWS Middle Head Oval-Cobblers 5 0.06 Middle Head NPWS Beach Barrabooka St 6 0.05 Dobroyd Head Neighbours & NPWS Cutler Rd 4 0.15 Dobroyd Head Neighbours & NPWS Tabalum Rd 4 0.4 Dobroyd Head Neighbours & NPWS Jellicoe St 4 0.3 Dobroyd Head Neighbours & NPWS Beattie St 6 0.2 Dobroyd Head NPWS Walking Tracks 7 5 Dobroyd Head NPWS
Quarantine Station Entrance 1 0.5 North Head NPWS Parkhill Cottage 4 0.1 North Head NPWS Institute of Police Management 4 0.2 North Head NPWS Quarantine Station 4 2.1 North Head NPWS Walking Tracks 7 3.5 North Head NPWS Steel Point Rd 1 0.7 Nieslen Park NPWS Bottle & Glass Point Rd 1 0.45 Nieslen Park NPWS Vaucluse Rd (part) 1 0.1 Nielsen Park Woollahra Council Mt Trefle Walking Track 7 0.325 Nielsen Park NPWS Hermitage Foreshore Scenic 7 1.5 Nielsen Park NPWS Walk Gap Bluff Rd 1 0.4 South Head NPWS Cliff St (part) 1 0.3 South Head Woollahra Council Gap Bluff/HMAS Watson 1 0.15 South Head NPWS access road Gap Bluff walking track 7 0.25 South Head NPWS South Head Access Rd 1 0.2 South Head NPWS Lady Jane Beach Access Rd 1 0.3 South Head NPWS South Head Walking Trail 7 0.8 South Head NPWS
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 226 Pacific Street Carpark 1 0.02 South Head NPWS Congwong Beach Management 2 0.5 La Perouse NPWS Trail Cape Banks Rd 1 2.5 La Perouse D.L & W.C Henry Head Maintenance Track 2 0.8 La Perouse NPWS Henry Head Rd 1 1 La Perouse NSW Golf Club/ NPWS Henry Head Walking track 7 2.2 La Perouse NPWS Cape Banks Track 7 0.8 La Perouse NPWS Cemetery Trail 3 1.2 La Perouse NPWS Browns Rocks 8 0.3 La Perouse nil Grose St 6 0.1 La Perouse NPWS Officers Mess Rd 1 0.2 La Perouse NPWS Jennifer St boardwalk 7 0.35 La Perouse NPWS
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 227 F. Sydney Region Historic Places
Historic Place Place Name Historic Place Place Name No. No. North Head N0039*61*62 QS Residence N0039*61*1 QS Wharf N0039*61* QS Roads & Culverts N0039*61*2 QS Power House N0039*61* QS Stone Walls N0039*61*3 QS Disinfection N0039*74*2 North Head Observation Posts N0039*61*4 QS Formalin N0039*74*3 Cliff Face searchlights N0039*61*5 QS Steam Laundry N0039*74*4 Bluefish AA Guns N0039*61*6-7 QS First/Third Class Bath N0039*74*5 Bluefish B.O.P. N0039*61*8 QS Luggage Store N0039*74*6 Bluefish Road N0039*61*9 QS Hospital -Old West Dobroyd Head N0039*61*10 QS Hospital - Brick Ward N0039*60 Dobroyd - Crater Cove Huts N0039*61*11 QS Changing Block (H3) Middle Head N0039*61*12 QS Doctors/Nurses N0039*10*1 Georges Head- Beehive Casement N0039*61*13-15 QS Kitchens & Quarters N0039*10*2 Georges Head- Armoured Case N0039*61*16-17 QS Isolation Wards N0039*10*3 Georges Head- Case Bty QF N0039*61*18 QS Bunk Hut (H15) N0039*10*4 Georges Head- BTY OP N0039*61*19 QS First Class (P1) N0039*10*5 Georges Head- Sub Miners OP N0039*61*20 QS First Class (P2) N0039*67*1 Middle Head Outer Fort N0039*61*21 QS First Class (P9) N0039*67*2 Middle Head Inner Fort N0039*61*22 QS First Class (P10) N0039*67*3 Middle Head Observation Post N0039*61*23 QS First Class (P3) N0039*67*4 Middle Head Otrs (MH29) N0039*61*24 QS Meat Store N0039*67*5 Middle Head Sgts (MH 30) N0039*61*25 QS Dining Room N0039*67*6 Middle Head (MH 31) N0039*61*26 QS Kitchen/Qtrs N0039*67*7 Middle Head Guard House N0039*61*27 QS Ladies Room N0039*67*8 Middle Head Barracks N0039*61*28 QS Toilets N0039*67*9 Middle Head Moat & Wall N0039*61*29 QS Toilets N0039*67*10 Middle Head Cobblers Road N0039*61*30 QS Toilets N0039*68*1 Obelisk Bay Obelisks (2) N0039*61*31 QS Ironing Room N0039*68*2 Obelisk - Sub Miners OP N0039*61*32 QS 2nd Class (P11-P12) N0039*68*3 Obelisk - QF Gun emplacement N0039*61*33 QS 2nd Class (P13) N0039*68*4 Obelisk - Battery, Contrac. N0039*61*34 QS Asiatics Dormitory Bradleys Head N0039*61*37 QS 3rd Class (P22) N0039*72*1 Bradleys Head - 24 Pounder N0039*61*38 QS 3rd Class Kitchen N0039*72*2 Bradleys Head - 68 Pndr Battery N0039*61*39 QS 3rd Class Toilets N0039*72*3 Bradleys Head Loophole Wall N0039*61*41 QS Admin Buildings (A1) N0039*72*4 Bradleys Head Stone Jetty N0039*61*42 QS General Store N0039*72*5 Bradleys Head Athol Jetty N0039*61*43 QS Engine Room N0039*72*6 Bradleys Head Road N0039*61*44 QS Staff Mess (A20) N0039*72*7 Athol Hall N0039*61*45 QS Machinery Shed N0039*72*8 HMAS Sydney Mast N0039*61*46 QS Stables N0039*72*9 Taylors Bay Tracks N0039*61*47 QS Post office N0039*72*10 Paths & Stairs N0039*61*48-49 QS Bedding Store Nielsen Park N0039*61*50 QS Glass House N0039*14*1 Nielsen Park, Greycliffe House N0039*61*52 QS Office (S1) N0039*14*2 Greycliffe Stables N0039*61*53 QS Former Res. (S2) N0039*14*3 Greycliffe M. Harper Wing N0039*61*54 QS Residence N0039*14*4 Steel Point Residence N0039*61*55 QS Residence N0039*14*5 Steel Point Forts N0039*61*56 QS Residence N0039*14*6 Nielsen Park Toilets N0039*61*57 QS Residence N0039*14*7 Nielsen Park Kiosk N0039*61*58 QS Residence N0039*14*8 Nielsen Park Dressing Pavilion N0039*61*59 QS Residence N0039*14*9 Nielsen Park Pavilion N0039*61*60 QS Residence N0039*14*10 Nielsen Park Men’s Toilets N0039*61*61 QS Residence N0039*14*11 Nielsen Park Womens Toilets
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 228 Historic Place Place Name Historic Place Place Name N0039*14*12 Nielsen Park Gardens N0039*62*18 Goat Is. Old Cooperage N0039*14*13 Nielsen Park Roads/Paths N0039*62*19 Goat Is. Store N0039*14*14 Nielsen Park Shark Net N0039*62*20 Goat Is. Former Magazine N0039*14*15 Nielsen Park Promenade N0039*62*21 Goat Is. Timber Store South Head N0039*62*23 Goat Is. Boat Shed & Jetty N0039*15*1 Green Point Obelisk N0039*62*24 Goat Is. Electric Sub-Station N0039*15*2 Green Pt Sub Miners Fort N0039*62*25 Goat Is. Barracks \ Museum N0039*15*3 Green Point Cottage N0039*62*26 Goat Is Barracks Kitchen\residence N0039*15*4 Green Point Monument N0039*62*27 Goat Is. Trees N0039*18*2 Camp Cove Residence N0039*62*28 Goat Is. Retaining Wall N0039*18*30 S.H. Semi-det Cottage x2 N0039*62*29 Goat Is. Cottage Garden N0039*18*43 S.H. Lightkeepers Cottage N0039*62*30 Goat Is. Grove of Trees
N0039*18*45 Constables Cottage N0039*62*31 Goat Is. Foreshore Paths N0039*18*46 Inner Sth Head Road. N0039*62*32 Goat Is. Foreshore Paths N0039*72*29 Gap Bluff Officers Mess N0039*62*33 Goat Is. Andersons Couch N0039*72*30 Gap Bluff Cottage N0039*62*34 Goat Is. Lime Kiln N0039*72*31 The Armoury N0039*62*35 Goat Is. Archaeological Grove N0039*72*32 Barracks Toilet Block N0039*62*36 Goat Is. Hilltop Grove Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) NP N0039*62*37 Goat Is. Paths & Tracks N0066*1*1 Cape Banks Toilets N0039*62*38 Goat Is. Four Cottages N0066*1*2 Cape Banks Engine Room N0039*62*39 Goat Is. Harbour Masters Cottage N0066*1*3 Cape Banks 9-2 Gun N0039*62*42 Goat Is. Trees/Gardens N0066*2*1 Henry Head Road N0039*62*45 Goat Is. Fire Brigade Office N0066*2*2 Henry Head Fort N0039*62*46 Goat Is. Fire Brigade Amenities N0066*2*3 Henry Head Searchlight N0039*62*47 Goat Is. Water Police Station N0066*2*4 Henry Head Searchlight 2 N0039*62*48 Goat Is. Dredge Office N0066*2*5 Henry Head O.P. N0039*62*49 Goat Is. Stores N0066*2*6 Henry Head Cobble Road N0039*62*50 Goat Is. Fire Fighting Shed N0066*3*1 Bare Island Barracks N0039*62*51 Goat Is. Skeleton Wharf N0066*3*2 Bare Island Fortifications N0039*62*52 Goat Is. Eastern Wharf N0066*3*4 Bare Island Bridge N0039*62*53 Goat Is. Northern Wharf N0066*4*1 La Perouse Cable Station N0039*62*54 Goat Is. Ferry Jetty N0066*4*2 La Perouse Watchr Tower N0039*62*55 Goat Is. VIP Wharf N0066*4*3 La Perouse Monument N0039*62*56 Goat Is. Boatshed Store N0066*4*4 La Per. Receveur Grave N0039*62*57 Goat Is. Barneys Cut & Bridge N0066*4*5 La Perouse Paths & Grdns N0039*62*58 Goat Is. Navigation Aids The Islands N0039*62*62 Goat Is. Archaeological Sites N0039*62*1 Goat Is. Ship Workshop N0039*62*63 Goat Is. Fire Hose Prying Tower N0039*62*2 Goat Is. Repair Shop N0039*64*1 Clark Is. Wharf N0039*62*3 Goat Is Slipway N0039*64*2 Clark Is. Sea Wall workshop N0039*62*4 Goat Is. Broadside Wharf N0039*64*3 Clark Is. Paths & Stg Ps. N0039*62*5 Goat Is.Broadside Wharf N0039*64*4 Clark Is. Lawns/Plants N0039*62*6 Goat Is. Shipyard Wharf N0039*63*1 Shark Is.Wharf N0039*62*7 Goat Is. 150 Ton Winch N0039*63*2 Shark Is Pavilion N0039*62*8 Goat Is. 500 Ton Winch N0039*63*3 Shark Is Picnic Shelters N0039*62*9 Goat Is. Tower Crane N0039*63*4 Shark Is. Paths & Steps N0039*62*10 Goat Is. Slipways N0039*63*5 Shark Is Toilet Block N0039*62*11 Goat Is. Foreshore Veget. N0039*63*6 Shark Is Lawns & Gardens N0039*62*12 Goat Is. Magazine wall N0039*65*1 Rodd Is. Wharf N0039*62*13 Goat Is. Amenities Block N0039*65*2 Rodd Is. Seawall N0039*62*14 Goat Is. Offices N0039*65*3 Rodd Is. Farrer Hall N0039*62*15 Goat Is. Queens Magazine N0039*65*4 Rodd Is. Residence N0039*62*16 Goat Is. Scow Shed N0039*65*5 Rodd Is. Lawns & Gardens N0039*62*17 Goat Is. Magazine Paths N0039*65*6 Rodd Is. Toilet Block
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 229 Appendix G - Conditions Associated with Bushfires
Bush fires are caused by a number of natural and human related acts. Natural acts include lightning and spontaneous combustion, whilst human related acts include arson and accidental fire ignition.
Typical conditions associated with major bush fire events include: • Occurrence of an extended drought period (KBDI > 100) • Low relative humidity and lower than average rainfall during the winter / spring months leading up to the fire season • Extended periods of high temperature • Persistent west to north – westerly winds • Prolific fuel accumulation from strong growing seasons the previous summer, followed by extended drought periods, thus lowering the decomposition rate of fuel.
Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)
KBDI is a measure of soil moisture content and increases with prolonged drought and rainfall deficiencies. KBDI is highly variable during recorded wildfire events and can not be taken as a true indication of the likelihood of a wildfire. However, interpreted ranges for wildfire potential are:
0-25 (mild) 25-63 (average) 64-100 (serious) 100-200 (extreme)
Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI)
FFDI is a more useful indicator of bush fire behaviour potential as it incorporates factors such as wind speed, humidity and KBDI, to greater reflect the likelihood of fire occurrence. The period of highest FFDI can be expected from spring through to autumn. Interpreted ranges for wildfire potential from FFDI are:
0–5 (low) 5–12 (moderate) 12-24 (high) 24-50 (very high) 50-100 (extreme)
El Nino
El Nino is a weather pattern known for imposing extensive periods of dry conditions on the Australian east coast by directing warm inland winds onto the coast during summer. El Nino events generally occur every three to seven years.
The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is used as a general indicator of El Nino events. When the index is negative, weather patterns are generally void of rain with the prevailing conditions consistent with drought events. Monitoring of the SOI particularly during spring and summer can help to predict the possibility of drought and hence potentially extreme bush fire conditions.
Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 230 NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
43 Bridge Street Hurstville NSW Australia 2220