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Twin Creek Wind Farm Bushfire Management Plan

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Twin Creek Wind Farm Bushfire Management Plan Twin Creek Wind Farm Bushfire Management Plan June 2017 1 Disclaimer Twin Creek Wind Farm Bushfire Management Plan has been produced by SA Bushfire Solutions. Although every attempt has been made to ensure the contents of this assessment are as accurate as possible, it must be acknowledged that over time, changes in environmental conditions and government policy may affect the recommendations provided in this plan. It should be noted that although reasonable steps have been taken to minimise this, SA Bushfire Solutions accepts no responsibility for any damages that may result from the implementation of recommendations from this assessment. For clarification or further information, I invite you to contact: Brett Stephens Director SA Bushfire Solutions 0427 604 253 [email protected] www.sabushfiresolutions.com 2 Executive Summary The plan focuses specifically to the construction and operation of the proposed Twin Creek Wind Farm, northern Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia and defines objectives and recommendations to mitigate the threat that bushfires pose to life, property, the environment and the potential hindrance to suppression operations. The plan makes recommendations that may support and guide management decisions to mitigate potential bushfire risks. The evaluation of bushfire risk is extremely complex due to the range of factors that may influence potential outcomes. It is not feasible to undertake a risk assessment for every possible scenario when so many variables can affect the possible likelihood and consequence. Bushfire suppression is also a complex activity that requires involvement from a wide range of stakeholders and it is important to note that no single approach, strategy or technique is instrumental in the mitigation of risk or successful suppression operations at bushfires. The proposed Twin Creek Wind Farm is largely located in an excluded bushfire risk area, with the southern portion located in a general bushfire risk area largely due to the minimal vegetation and low overall fuel hazard levels. It should be noted however that nearby locations have experienced significant bushfires in recent years, notably Pinery 25th November 2015, Eden Valley 17th January 2014 and Angaston 16th December 2014. The Twin Creek Wind Farm development will increase the number of turbine assets and associated infrastructure in the local area. This may have potential to increase bushfire risk and impact suppression operations, however, the risk from wind turbine fires is considered less than many other activities expected in these rural environments. Fires starting from headers, vehicles and other agricultural machinery, lightning and arson remain the greatest likelihood for bushfire ignitions in this area. The Twin Creek Wind Farm is located on areas of low fuels with undulating and rocky terrain, the construction of vehicle and fire access tracks will improve emergency response and aid suppression operations. With the recommendations provided in this plan and suggested mitigation strategies in place it is determined that the development of the wind farm will not significantly increase bushfire risk to the landscape or prevent emergency service operations. Finally, with an assumption that all land owners and contractors undertake works as per their legal and/or contractual obligations and fire crew maintain a “safety first” approach to fire fighting it is concluded that the development poses an acceptable low overall risk. 3 Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 Objectives .............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Fire Management Planning Framework ................................................................................................ 6 1.4 Legislation ............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4.1 Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 ......................................................................................... 6 1.4.2 Local Government Act 1999 ......................................................................................................... 7 1.4.3 State Emergency Management Act 2004 ..................................................................................... 7 1.5 Other Relevant Legislation, Codes and Regulations.............................................................................. 7 1.6 Existing Documents, Policies and Guidelines ........................................................................................ 8 1.6.1 Country Fire Service - Bushfire Management Planning ................................................................ 8 1.6.2 Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land in South Australia ................................... 8 1.6.3 Government Agencies Fire Management Working Group - Firebreaks, Fire Access Track and Sign Standards Guidelines. ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.6.4 South Australian Country Fire Service ........................................................................................ 10 1.6.5 Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) ..................................... 10 1.7 Consultation ........................................................................................................................................ 13 1.8 Review ................................................................................................................................................. 13 2 THE BUSHFIRE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................... 14 2.1 Location ............................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................... 14 2.3 Terrain ................................................................................................................................................. 14 2.4 Surrounding Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 15 2.6 Access and Egress ................................................................................................................................ 20 2.7 Assets .................................................................................................................................................. 20 2.8 Water Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................... 20 2.9 Fire Weather ....................................................................................................................................... 20 2.9.1 Extreme Fire Weather Conditions .............................................................................................. 20 2.10 Climate Change and Bushfires ............................................................................................................ 21 2.11 Fire History .......................................................................................................................................... 21 2.11.1 Pinery Bushfire ........................................................................................................................... 22 2.11.2 Eden Valley Bushfire ................................................................................................................... 22 2.11.3 Angaston Bushfire ...................................................................................................................... 22 3 BUSHFIRE RISK ............................................................................................................................................. 24 3.1 Bushfire Risks During Construction ..................................................................................................... 24 4 3.2 Bushfire Risks During Operation ......................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Potential Impacts on Bushfire Suppression Operations ...................................................................... 25 3.3.1 Aerial Suppression Considerations. ............................................................................................ 26 4 READINESS ................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.1 Equipment ........................................................................................................................................... 28 4.2 Training ..............................................................................................................................................
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