Springbrook Public Conservation Estate Fire Strategy Springbrook / Numinbah / Austinville September 2009
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Springbrook Public Conservation Estate Fire Strategy Springbrook / Numinbah / Austinville September 2009 Prepared by: QPWS Conservation Management Unit and GCCC Natural Areas Management Unit Table of contents 1 Introduction .......................................................9 List of Tables 1.1 Climate ............................................................12 1.2 Regional context ..............................................12 Table 1 Native flora species of particular 1.3 Fire history .......................................................13 management significance with information 1.4 Objectives for fire management .......................14 on potential value as indicators in monitoring programmes .............................................20 2 Flora ..................................................................15 Table 2 Details of priority weeds in relation to fire 2.1 Vegetation description .....................................15 management ............................................22 2.2 Native species/communities of significance and/or Table 3 Fire management objectives and potential indicator species......................................19 preferred fire regimes for the vegetation 2.3 Priority weeds in relation to fire management ..21 communities .............................................24 2.4 Objectives, risk assessment and guidelines .......22 Table 4 Fauna species of significance with information on potential value as indicators 3 Fauna ................................................................27 in monitoring programmes .......................28 3.1 Species of significance and/or potential Table 5 Location and description of Protection indicator species ....................................................27 Zones and associated management 3.2 Objectives, risk assessment and guidelines ......31 regimes .....................................................39 Table 6 Location and description of Wildfire 4 Cultural resources ............................................32 Mitigation Zones and associated 4.1 Objectives, risk assessment and guidelines .......33 management regimes ...............................40 Table 7 Quick reference guide for fire management 5 Production resources .......................................34 requirements in the Conservation Zone and associated management regimes ..............42 6 Reserve infrastructure .....................................34 Table 8 Location and description of Special 6.1 Objectives, risk assessment and guidelines .......34 Conservation Zones and associated management regimes ...............................45 7 Resources on adjoining land ...........................35 Table 9 Location and description of Rehabilitation 7.1 Objectives, risk assessment and guidelines .......35 Zones and associated management regimes .....................................................46 8 Factors affecting fire behaviour and Table 10 Summary of Existing Fire Monitoring management .......................................................37 programs conducted by QPWS and GCCC in the planning area ................................47 9 Fire Management Zones .................................38 Table 11 Strategic Fire Management Tracks ...........49 9.1 Introduction .....................................................38 Table 12 Fire fighting infrastructure required in the 9.2 Fire Management Zones .................................38 planning area ..........................................49 9.2.1 Protection Zone ......................................39 9.2.2 Wildfire Mitigation Zone .........................40 9.2.3 Conservation Zone ..................................42 9.2.4 Special Conservation Zone ......................45 9.2.5 Rehabilitation Zone .................................46 10 Fire research and monitoring ........................47 11 Access track system ......................................48 11.1 New access tracks ..........................................48 11.2 Existing access tracks .....................................48 11.3 Strategic tracks ..............................................48 12 Fire Fighting Infrastructure ...........................50 13 References ......................................................51 Springbrook Public Conservation Estate Fire Strategy 3 Table of contents List of Appendices Appendix 1 Meteorological data for Springbrook, Austinville and Numinbah (Bureau of Meteorology site numbers 40192, 40607, 40197 and 40584) ................52 Appendix 2 The process of a QPWS planned burn ....................................53 Appendix 3 Flora species recorded in Springbrook National Park, Numinbah Forest Reserve and Austinville Forest Reserve ............54 Appendix 4 Flora species recorded from GCCC Numinbah and Springbrook Conservation Areas ...........................78 Appendix 5 Fauna species recorded in Springbrook National Park and Numinbah Forest Reserve .............................................94 Appendix 6 Fauna species recorded in GCCC Springbrook Conservation Area .......101 Appendix 7 Supplementary flora species provided via public submissions .....................109 Appendix 8 Fire Management Zones ..................110 List of Maps Map 1 Tracks, Infrastructure and Neighbouring Properties Map 1b Strategic Fire Management Tracks Map 2 Fire Associations Map 3a-3e Known Fire History Map 4 Fire Management Zones Springbrook Public Conservation Estate Fire Strategy 5 Acknowledgements This fire strategy was developed as a cooperative effort with representatives from key land management agencies responsible for fire management within the Springbrook/Numibah/Austinville Conservation estate, namely Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS), Gold Coast City Council (GCCC), Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and Bonogin, Mudgeeraba, Springbrook and Numinbah Rural Fire Brigades. The Springbrook Fire Strategy Team: Q David Kington, Resource Conservation Ranger; QPWS and Fire Planning Officer GCCC; Q Jenise Blaik, Resource Conservation Ranger, Southeast Region, QPWS; Q Dr Liz Caddick, Conservation Management Planner, GCCC; Q Wayne Kington, Senior Conservation Officer, Southeast Region QPWS; Q Kerri Brannon, Resource Conservation Ranger, Southeast Region, QPWS; Q Sylvia Millington, Senior Conservation Officer, Southeast Region QPWS; Q Michael Siebuhr, Senior Ranger, QPWS; Q Jane Mansergh, Resource Conservation Ranger, Southeast Region, QPWS; Q David Beatty, Bushfire Management Officer, GCCC; Q Ross Mutzelberg, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Area Director; Q David Shevill, Senior Ranger (Fire), Southeast Region QPWS; Q Mike Hall, Ranger-In-Charge, Gold Coast Management Unit, Southeast QPWS; and Q Dr Sally MacKinnon, Executive Officer, the Ethos Foundation, Binna Burra. The following people also provided invaluable assistance and support in the development of the fire strategy: Q Jason Jacobi, Manager, Southeast Region, QPWS; Q Guy Thomas, Operations Manager, Southeast Region, QPWS; Q Dr Wendy Drake, Principal Conservation Officer, QPWS; Q Harry Hines, Senior Conservation Officer, Southern Region, QPWS; Q Rodney Anderson, Natural Areas Ranger, GCCC; Q Dr Tim Robson, Senior Conservation Management Planner, GCCC; Q Graeme McGregor, Natural Areas Coordinator, GCCC; Q Cuong Tran, Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies, Griffith University; Q Prof. Clyde Wild, Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies, Griffith University; Q Alistair Hill, Bushfire Risk Reducers; and Q Paul Kurz, First Officer, Springbrook Rural Fire Brigade. Indigenous Cultural Heritage advice was received from: Q Corey O’Malley, GCCC Indigenous Cultural Heritage Officer; Q Hague Best, GCCC Indigenous Cultural Heritage Officer; Q The Kombumerri Aboriginal Corporation for Culture; and Q Ngarang Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Inc. Public consultation and input: Various community organisations and individuals have also provided input into the development of the fire strategy to date, including: Q Springbrook Divisional Advisory Committee; Q Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council (GECKO); Q Communities for Sustainable Futures; Q Springbrook Mountain Community Association; Q Numinbah Valley Residents Association; Q Springbrook Progress Association; Q Springbrook Landcare; Q Australian Rainforest Conservation Society; Q David Jinks, Gold Coast Botany; and Q Numerous individuals who attended public meetings. 6 Springbrook Public Conservation Estate Fire Strategy What is this Strategy about? As a result of public consultation, key questions that are commonly asked have been identified. The information below addresses these questions by summarising the principles underpinning this fire strategy. Reading this will give you a greater appreciation of the following, more detailed sections of this strategy. Why have a Fire Strategy? This fire strategy is intended to guide fire management activities undertaken by public land managers in the plan area. A fire strategy gives broad direction for fire management. In reference to a fire strategy, a burn program (describing planned burns to be undertaken on the ground) is developed. Burn programs are reviewed annually and are supported by constantly updated data systems. See appendix 2 for more information. Why do QPWS, QFRS, Local Governments and other government agencies undertake planned burning? To protect life and property and to conserve natural and cultural values. How is a balance between protection of life and property and maintenance of conservation values achieved? While the protection of life and property is the major