Reducing Victoria’s
Bushfire Risk on Public Land
Fuel Management Report 2012-13
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Table of contents
Introduction
Key results
Safer communities and resilient ecosystems: statewide progress towards Code objectives 1 and 2
Delivery of DEPI Fuel Management Program 2012-13
Statewide fuel management activities
Gippsland region fuel management activities overview
North East region fuel management activities overview
North West region fuel management activities overview
Port Phillip region fuel management activities overview
South West region fuel management activities overview
References
Appendix 1: Accounting framework for bushfire fuel management treatments
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, November
2013
© The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2013
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Print managed by Finsbury Green November 2013
ISBN 978-1-74287-971-0
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Introduction
This report details the performance of Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ Fuel Management
Program in 2012-13.
The Fuel Management Program is one part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to managing bushfire risk.
Fuel management refers to activities DEPI, and its partner agencies, carry out on public land to reduce bushfire
risk.
The main elements of the report include:

DEPI’s planned burning activities (also known as prescribed burning)

area treated with fuel management during the financial year

funds expended on the program

impacts on biodiversity.
Planned burning – lighting and managing low intensity fires in the landscape – is one of the main ways DEPI
manages fuel on public land. Other activities to manage fuel include mowing, slashing and mulching as well as
the targeted use of chemical herbicides. Refer to Appendix 1: Accounting framework for bushfire fuel
management treatments.
By actively managing the amount of fuel on public land, DEPI can reduce the potential impacts of bushfires by
slowing them down and making them less intense.
Planned burning also contributes to promoting a healthy Victorian environment as many plant species require the
presence of fire to support new growth.
In 2012-13 the fuel reduction target was 250,000 hectares. This represented DEPI’s largest ever annual target for
planned burning. Pre-planning, concerted effort and weather were critical factors in DEPI achieving the
recommended level of fuel reduction. A good period of suitable weather for fuel management activities in autumn
2013 allowed DEPI to treat 255,226 hectares of public land with planned burning – 58,077 hectares more than
the previous year. Other fuel reduction methods complemented this work.
It is important to note that fuel reduction, including planned burning, is just one means of reducing bushfire risk to
communities. Other means include bushfire response, land use and development planning, building design,
construction and maintenance, people having bushfire plans and leaving high risk areas on days when the Fire
Danger Rating is elevated, as well as the provision of information to improve community decision making.
DEPI is committed to reducing bushfire risk on public land in line with the Code of Practice for Bushfire
Management on Public Land (DEPI 2012). The Code outlines the Victorian Government’s two primary objectives
for DEPI’s Fuel Management Program:
1. To minimise the impact of major bushfires on human life, communities, essential and community
infrastructure, industries, the economy and the environment. Human life will be afforded priority over all
other considerations.
2. To maintain or improve the resilience of natural ecosystems and their ability to deliver services such as
biodiversity, water, carbon storage and forest products.
DEPI is also committed to implementing the government’s response to Recommendation 57 of the Victorian
Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report: “The Department of [Environment and Primary Industries] report
annually on prescribed burning outcomes in a manner that meets public accountability objectives, including
publishing details of targets, area treated, funds expended on the program, and impacts on biodiversity”.
This is the first Fuel Management Report. DEPI will work to continually improve its reporting as:
 analysis techniques and the science of managing fuels improve – including the science of fire ecology and of
using planned burning to mitigate risk;
 monitoring and evaluation processes improve in relation to measuring the risks of fire to human life and
property and ecosystem resilience; and
 the quality of data collection increases.
As knowledge and data collection improves, measures in the report may change. If this occurs, DEPI will explain
the rationale for new measures and how these relate to measures previously used.
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Key results
This section details the progress of DEPI’s Fuel Management Program for 2012-13.
It measures activities undertaken by DEPI to meet its strategic objectives under the Code of Practice for Bushfire
Management on Public Land (2012).
The following ratings system has been used to assess performance. The ratings system was developed following
a review of best practice in public reporting and in consultation with key stakeholders. The rating for each activity
was determined by assessing DEPI’s actual process against stated objectives.
Outcomes rating
4 out of 4
The outcome/activity for the reporting period has been fully achieved.
3 out of 4
The outcome/activity has been achieved to the best extent possible (review process for
management and/or data collection for further improvements).
2 out of 4
The outcome/activity has not been achieved but is a manageable risk (review process for
management and/or data collection for further improvements).
1 out of 4
The outcome/activity has not been achieved (external impediment prevented target/outcome
being achieved).
0 out of 4
There is inadequate data or lack of metrics to report on this outcome at this stage.
Area contributing to fuel reduction target
Rating
2012-13
target
(ha)
4 out of 4 250,000
2012-13
actual (ha)
contributing
to target
275,192
Description
The total actual area contributing to the fuel reduction target was
275,192 hectares, equivalent to approximately 110 per cent of the
fuel reduction target of 250,000 hectares. Refer to Figure 1 for trend
of treated area for the past 10 years. The actual area includes:

255,226 hectares of public land treated by planned burning,
equivalent to approximately 102 per cent of the fuel reduction
target of 250,000 hectares and comprising 678 planned burns

19,966 hectares of public land identified and planned for fuel
management which was affected by bushfire before it could be
treated with planned burning. This area is included to provide a
more comprehensive understanding of fuel reduction, overall
bushfire risk and decisions about future fuel management.
Figure 1 - Trend of treated area (through fuel management including planned burning)
Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land primary objective 1
Code
primary
objective 1
To minimise the impact of major bushfires on human life, communities, essential and community
infrastructure, industries, the economy and the environment. Human life will be afforded priority
over all other considerations.
Rating: 3 out of 4
Key findings
Using a risk-based approach, DEPI is able to make some strategic findings regarding the level of bushfire risk
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(see the State residual risk profile shown in Figure 2):
 At the end of 2012-13, modelling indicated Victoria’s current state of risk had been reduced by approximately
40 per cent, leaving 60 per cent residual risk. Longer term trends indicate major bushfires in 2002-03, 200607 and 2008-09 contributed to significant fuel reduction which lowered the risk from maximum levels.
 Since 2008-09, fuel reduction on public land in Victoria has held the residual risk at approximately 60 per
cent (this includes the impacts of bushfires and planned burning). Without fuel reduction, particularly planned
burning, modelling suggests the risk would have increased rapidly towards maximum levels.
 Modelling indicates that a significant proportion of bushfire risk is driven by fuel on private land and on public
land which is unsuitable for treatment by planned burning. This tells us that DEPI’s planned burning program
must be part of an integrated plan to reduce bushfire risk, with private land holders and broader communities
playing critical roles.
Figure 2: Residual risk profile for the State of Victoria for historical records of fire since 1980 and
forecast burns contained in the Fire Operations Plans for 2013-2015. The blue line represents projected
risk under more favourable (drier) burning conditions, while the purple line represents projected risk
under less favourable (wetter) burning conditions. Also shown for each year is the area burnt by
bushfire, grass fire, planned burning and timber harvesting operations (bar charts).
Residual risk is the amount of risk which remains in the landscape after fuel reduction – planned burns
and bushfires – has taken been taken into account. To help planning for the future, residual risk is based
on modelling of worst-case weather conditions with fuel loads at maximum accumulation levels.
Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land primary objective 2
Code
primary
objective 2
To maintain or improve the resilience of natural ecosystems and their ability to deliver services
such as biodiversity, water, carbon storage and forest products.
Rating: 2 out of 4
Key findings
Ecosystem resilience is a complex concept to measure. In collaboration with its research partners, DEPI has identified ways
to measure ecosystem resilience (see page 8 for more information).

At the end of 2012-13, modelling indicated that the amount of vegetation on Victoria’s public land below the tolerable fire
interval was approximately 50 per cent. This is approximately a 14 per cent increase over the past decade (see Figure
3). The tolerable fire interval is the recommended time interval between successive fire events for a particular vegetation
type.

Modelling also indicated that the amount of vegetation on Victoria’s public land at an adulthood growth stage decreased
markedly from 2000 to 2009, from approximately 40 per cent to 23 per cent. The majority of this decrease was due to
major bushfires (in 2002-03, 2006-07 and 2008-09). However, it has begun to increase since 2009 and is approximately
25 per cent (see Figure 4).

Research indicates that having large areas of public land growing back as a single growth stage can pose a risk to
ecosystem resilience. This tells us that fuel management is important to ensure that vegetation affected by bushfire
events over the past decade, recovers as a mix of growth stages. Planned burning can also help to effectively manage
fuels to protect remaining areas of older growth stages.

DEPI is working with scientists from Melbourne, La Trobe and Deakin universities to develop tools and methods to assist
with using planned burning as a strategic tool to improve ecosystem resilience.
Figure 3. Tolerable fire interval status after the 2012-13 season. Large bushfires experienced over the
past decade have increased the amount of landscape below tolerable fire interval.
Figure 4. Growth stage status after the 2012-13 season. Large bushfires experienced over the past
decade have increased the amount of landscape in earlier growth stages
.
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Tolerable fire interval status 1991-2012
Figure 5: Time series showing the amount of public land sitting below, within and above tolerable fire interval.
Large bushfires experienced over the past decade have increased the amount of landscape sitting below
tolerable fire interval.
Vegetation growth stage status 1991-2012
Figure 6: Time series showing the amount of public land sitting in each growth stage category. Large bushfires
experienced over the past decade have increased the amount of landscape in earlier growth stages but trends
over the past few years are showing that the landscape is moving back into older growth stages.
Safer communities and resilient ecosystems: statewide progress towards
Code objectives 1 and 2
Bushfire has historically been a part of the Victorian environment and the risk posed by bushfires cannot be
completely eliminated. The Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land provides a risk
management framework that assists DEPI to plan and implement strategies to reduce the impact of major
bushfires that start or spread on public land. The Code makes it clear that the protection of human life is the
highest priority over of all other considerations.
DEPI is continuing to develop and implement a risk-based approach to managing bushfires on public land.
A key step is the release of the Victorian Bushfire Risk Profile Report, which details DEPI's approach to
measuring bushfire risk and highlights many key areas of risk across the state. This report informs risk mitigation
planning at a state-wide level, and guides similar work at the regional scale.
In 2012-13 DEPI established seven teams to lead strategic bushfire planning in landscape areas aligned to
bushfire risk. These landscapes have been identified using bushfire modelling and data analysis, based on worstcase weather conditions with fuel loads at maximum accumulation levels.
By working at a landscape-scale, planning is focused within areas of land where a major bushfire could be
expected to spread from one single point of ignition. Examining risk at this level helps align strategic planning with
predicted bushfire behaviour and spread.
The strategic bushfire planning teams are multi-disciplinary and include people from DEPI and Parks Victoria with
skills in land management, fire management, risk assessment, fire ecology, biodiversity, monitoring and
evaluation, and community and stakeholder engagement.
The teams are working with the community to prepare strategic bushfire management plans that better account
for community assets and values as well as statewide values over the longer term. These plans will assist in
managing bushfire risk in a more appropriate way for each unique landscape.
Strategic bushfire management planning will provide a new way for the community to be involved in managing
their local risk. The information generated through the plans will feed into DEPI’s Fire Operations Plans, which
outline where planned burning and other fuel reduction activities are intended to be carried out over a three-year
period.
Analysis tools to measure risk – progress towards Code of Practice for Bushfire
Management on Public Land objective 1
DEPI is developing and using analysis tools and systems that provide an understanding of the likelihood of a
potentially damaging bushfire occurring and the impact of that bushfire on human life and property.
Fire behaviour models help to measure bushfire risk across the landscape and evaluate the effectiveness of
different fuel management strategies, including planned burning. These fire behaviour models allow DEPI to
model bushfire risk with actual bushfire history data to show the impact that previous bushfires and planned
burning have on reducing fuel.
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Improved analysis and modelling tools are providing better predictions of the impact fuel reduction activities
would have on a bushfire, allowing DEPI to make more effective decisions about where and how fuel
reduction works will be carried out.
DEPI is continuing to develop its capacity to assess risk by combining these analysis and modelling tools
with the establishment of strategic bushfire management planning teams in high risk areas.
DEPI can also use the fire behaviour models to help test future planned burning scenarios to determine the most
effective pattern of burning to reduce fuels. These models are still in development and while the estimates of risk
levels have a wide margin of uncertainty, they provide the best estimate available and will be improved over time.
DEPI’s bushfire risk analysis estimated that treating 390,000 hectares annually through planned burning on a
broad basis across Victoria would achieve an average of 20 per cent reduction in bushfire risk, compared to the
maximum risk levels if no planned burning was undertaken. This model is based on the activities outlined in the
Fire Operation Plan for 2013-14 to 2015-16, which scales up the program to 390,000 hectares in the final year of
the plan.
Using the concept of residual risk, DEPI can model different scenarios to investigate the relative effectiveness of
different planned burning regimes on reducing fuel hazard. Residual risk represents the percentage of maximum
bushfire risk that remains in the landscape after fuel reduction activities - including planned burning and bushfire
history - are taken into account (see Figure 7). In this instance risk is a measure of change in proportion of
properties.
Figure 7: Fuel reduction (planned burning and bushfire) since 2002
The fire behaviour models can also be used to track residual risk as it changes over time after actual planned
burning and bushfire events, and this information is used by DEPI to help plan future fuel management strategies.
This bushfire risk modeling work is made possible through DEPI’s partnership with the University of Melbourne,
Cooperative Research Centres and other research institutions. It is critical in achieving a transparent, science and
risk-based approach to bushfire management in Victoria. It will help integrate the latest research in fire behaviour
and modeling, ecology, asset protection and resilience thinking directly into strategic bushfire planning.
It needs to be acknowledged that while fire behaviour models and understanding of the effectiveness of risk
management approaches have significantly improved, some uncertainty exists. It is the best information currently
available and DEPI will continue to invest in strengthening and applying its bushfire risk modelling tools and
processes. Over time, as technology and the quality of data collection improves, the certainty of modelling will
also improve.
DEPI intends to have key elements of the tools and systems that are being used to measure bushfire risk
reviewed by independent experts.
Case study – Strategic bushfire management in the Barwon Otway
landscape
The Otways Pilot Project has applied a risk-based approach to strategic bushfire management planning in the
Barwon Otway bushfire landscape.
The residual risk profile for the Barwon Otway landscape indicates the effectiveness of bushfire fuel management
actions (see Figure 8).
In general, the analysis suggests that bushfire management in the landscape is achieving very good results in
reducing bushfire risk. From the relatively high level of residual risk (near 80 per cent) observed in 2007 before
this approach was first applied, the residual risk has steadily fallen to its current level of around 60 per cent, which
is the lowest calculated value of residual risk for the landscape in more than 20 years.
DEPI’s fire behaviour modelling shows that the planned burns outlined in the Fire Operations Plans for 2013-14 to
2015-16 will reduce the residual risk further to around 50 per cent.
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The results provide strong support for the effectiveness of risk-based strategic bushfire management planning.
The risk-based approach is now being applied to strategic bushfire management planning in the rest of the state
and will be reported on in subsequent Fuel Management Reports.
The Barwon Otway Strategic Bushfire Planning Team has also used tolerable fire intervals as part of their risk-based strategic
bushfire management planning. An initial 40 year fuel management strategy was developed which sought to minimise the
area burnt below minimum tolerable fire interval in certain areas of the bushfire landscape.
Figure 8: Residual risk profile for the Barwon Otway landscape for historical records of fire since 1980
(red line) and forecast FOP burns for 2013-2015 (blue and purple lines). The blue line represents
projected risk under more favourable (drier) burning conditions, while the purple line represents
projected risk under less favourable (wetter) burning conditions. Also shown for each year is the area
burnt by bushfire, grass fire, planned burning and timber harvesting operations (bar charts).
Monitoring ecosystem resilience – progress towards Code of Practice for Bushfire
Management on Public Land objective 2
DEPI is developing an improved Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting Framework for bushfire management on
public land.
This framework is bringing together many of the concepts being investigated through the monitoring and research
programs for ecosystem resilience. It will also help DEPI meet its obligations under the Code and address
Recommendations 57 and 58 of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
DEPI is developing tools for defining metrics of ecosystem resilience to guide fire planning and the prioritisation
and implementation of monitoring and research.
Understanding ecological outcomes
Predicting the response of flora and fauna to fire regimes is a key part of DEPI’s fuel management program. A fire
regime collectively includes fire frequency, intensity, season and spatial distribution across the landscape.
Species’ responses can vary significantly to different fire regimes and can occur over long periods. Many of
Victoria’s flora and fauna are adapted to, or even dependent on, fire while others may face difficulties.
To protect biodiversity, DEPI is adopting a risk-based approach which will:
 predict the response of species and vegetation communities to different fire regimes (including planned
burning)
 assess fire regime options against the two primary objectives under the Code and then create strategies
for managing species and ecological communities
 implement these strategies
 monitor strategy implementation, the performance of models and metrics and ecological outcomes over
the long-term.
The development of robust ecological models and metrics of ecosystem resilience is integral to this process.
DEPI’s research and monitoring program is developing and testing the following three measures of ecosystem
resilience, which can potentially be used to understand the impact of planned burning on biodiversity.
Tolerable Fire Interval (TFI) – This represents the minimum or maximum recommended time intervals between
successive fire events for a particular vegetation type. The time interval is derived from the critical features of
plant species’ life history characteristics such as growth patterns, reproduction method and life history transition
stages and critical fauna habitat elements of the vegetation community.
Geometric mean abundance of species in a community– This is defined as the relative abundance of all
known species in an ecological community, and provides a robust index of biodiversity associated with
community viability.
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Vegetation growth stage structure – Vegetation communities develop through defined growth stages that have
distinguishing structural features. Different species show different preferences for these growth stages. Growth
stage analysis assumes that maintaining a diversity of vegetation growth stages and habitats across the
landscape, and therefore a diversity of species, is positively correlated with ecosystem resilience. A desired
growth stage structure for a vegetation type across a landscape can be derived based on analyses that maximise
the relative abundances of all species in that vegetation type. The desired structure will vary depending on the
number of species that prefer particular growth stages and the relative abundances of those species in the
different growth stages.
TFI is currently the best documented and researched measure and is being implemented as a partial indicator of
resilience. TFI is a poor measure on its own because it is unable to account for fauna distribution and abundance
and does not incorporate fire severity, patchiness and frequency data. It provides little insight into the composition
and functioning of an ecosystem and TFI should be regarded as a proxy measure (Keeney and Gregory 2005).
DEPI is exploring the application of TFI in conjunction with other metrics (such as geometric mean abundance of
species in a community and vegetation growth stage structure) in order to create a better measure of the state of
ecosystems.
While vegetation growth stage structure and geometric mean abundance could provide more natural measures of
ecosystem resilience, more research is required. DEPI is currently working with the University of Melbourne to
develop tools so that these measures can be integrated into a risk-based approach to bushfire management
planning.
Planned burning can be used to manage a landscape so that overall, it is moving toward a desired growth stage
structure and distribution. While the landscape can never be managed so that it is constantly at or near an
optimal age class distribution, it can be managed so that it approaches this goal. This helps in ensuring
persistence of all species.
Old growth vegetation can be quickly converted to juvenile by a single bushfire. However, it takes much longer
(i.e. decades) to convert juvenile vegetation to old growth. Thus, strategic bushfire management is important to
help minimise the risk of landscape-scale bushfires on older age classes.
The approach to managing ecological risks associated with planned burning is balanced with the need to manage
risk to human life and property, which is the top priority under the Code.
Case study – Raymond Island
A pilot program of mechanical fuel reduction on Raymond Island has shown the benefits of using a case-by-case
approach to fuel management.
Raymond Island, a small island located in the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria, is home to around 500 people
and hundreds of koalas. Koalas were introduced to the island in 1953, and Raymond Island has since become
renowned for its abundant koala population.
Typical of the East Gippsland landscape, Raymond Island is covered in beautiful but highly flammable native
vegetation. This vegetation poses a significant bushfire risk to human life and wildlife.
DEPI and Parks Victoria are responsible for managing large areas of public land on the island. This includes
managing forest fuels and reducing bushfire risk. A variety of methods are used to reduce fuels, such as planned
burning, candling, slashing and mowing.
Many local people are interested in ensuring the health of the koala population and the environment while
supporting fuel management to make the island safer from bushfire.
In 2013, as part of the annual bushfire management planning process, DEPI and Parks Victoria assessed the
value and suitability of fuel management activities for Raymond Island.
The team decided to embark on a pilot program of mechanical fuel reduction, using methods such as slashing
and mowing to create patches of land with reduced fuel. One of the objectives of this pilot program was to
effectively reduce hazardous fuels while having minimal impact on the local koala population.
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Works began early in 2013 and DEPI and Parks Victoria worked closely with local residents and the contractors
to minimise disruption to nearby properties and koala habitat.
The pilot areas are being monitored for impacts and local staff have continued to keep the community informed.
The community has provided positive feedback on this pilot.
The work on Raymond Island demonstrates there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach for fuel management. DEPI
considers fuel management planning on a case-by-case basis to find the most effective and balanced approach.
Delivery of DEPI Fuel Management Program 2012-13
The target of 250,000 hectares for 2012-13 represented DEPI’s largest fuel reduction target. Over the year, 678
planned burns were carried out treating 255,226 hectares of public land – 58,077 hectares more than the
previous year. This was achieved despite a prolonged bushfire season.
Fire Operations Plans
The 2012-13 fuel reduction program was based on Fire Operations Plans (FOPs) drawn up in consultation with
key stakeholders and communities across Victoria.
The draft FOPs were open to community consultation and provided opportunity for input of local knowledge, as
well as consideration of proposed timing. This helped to reduce the impact of planned burns on local communities
and industries while still delivering the program.
Community comment was requested through local advertising, media announcements and notifying interested
people. Other opportunities for community engagement included community forums, industry days, smoke health
forums, meetings and facilitated discussions with individuals and interested groups.
DEPI has also supported several local communities to establish ongoing ‘strategic conversations’, which in part
help local community members to better understand the function of planned burning and understand their
bushfire risk.
Case study – Cape Conran
A 78 hectare planned burn was successfully carried out at Cape Conran Coastal Park in Gippsland in March
2013. DEPI and Parks Victoria had earmarked the burn in the local Fire Operations Plan three years before the
conditions became suitable to safely conduct it.
The main objective for the burn was to protect the park from the impacts of bushfire, including visitor areas,
cabins, camping grounds and walking tracks – all particularly popular to visitors in summer – as well as nearby
private property.
The burn also aimed to reduce the park’s over-mature tea tree population which posed a risk to ecosystem
resilience.
The vegetation within the burn site made safe burning a complex task. Heath, a volatile fuel, was located near
the park’s visitor centre; the site also had banksia woodlands which can burn either very hot or very cold.
Tea trees are difficult to burn as they have no understory. To prepare the site, machine rolling of the tea trees
ensured there was fuel to light off to help get the fire up into the crowns of the trees. Wind conditions had to be
just right as there was the risk of spotting from the tree tops if it was too windy.
Not only was this a complex burn to deliver in terms of requiring the right weather conditions, but there were a
number of other challenges, such as traffic management and minimising the impact on tourism and recreation in
the area.
For example, the local surf school could not access their usual surf location, but they were assisted by staff to
access a different part of the beach.
Some local roads and tracks had to be closed for the duration of the burn and afterwards to ensure public
safety, but many were intentionally kept open. Although this required extra effort and investment in traffic
management control, it allowed various user groups to continue to access key coastal points, including the boat
ramp and beaches.
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A funeral service was also factored into the burn delivery. The optimal method for lighting the burn was with an
aerial drip torch – an ignition machine slung below a helicopter – and the helicopter passing overhead was
timed to ensure the noise did not affect the service. The helicopter was employed not only for ignition, but also
to check that no visitors were in the area.
Crews completed the burn over two days with support from local CFA brigades, successfully burning around 80
per cent of the planned area. As well as reducing bushfire risk to Cape Conran, the burn will improve future
habitat for the local animals and plants. It is hoped that the dominance of tall tea tree populations will decrease
and follow-up burns in coming years should continue this trend.
Challenges experienced during 2012-13
Weather impacts
The successful delivery of the 2012-13 program was primarily the result of two significant weather windows.
Favourable conditions in winter and early spring, with below average rainfall in western Victoria, allowed more
than 46,000 hectares to be treated in the first half of the financial year. This was almost twice the spring average.
Spring burning opportunities in central and eastern Victoria were minimal due to localised flooding events.
A lack of widespread spring rain led to an early start to the bushfire season, with significant fires occurring from
mid-November in western Victoria. Dry conditions continued throughout summer, resulting in a number of major,
long-running forest fires.
The presence of underlying dry conditions delayed the start of autumn planned burn activities in many areas.
However, eastern Victoria received a strong rainfall break in mid-March, which enabled a significant increase in
planned burning activities. These unseasonal autumn conditions persisted through to May, providing enough
suitable opportunities for the full program to be carried out.
Managing impacts to communities
The impacts of planned burning on communities can include the health effects of smoke, reduced air quality,
reduced access to parks and forests, road closures and economic impacts associated with various industries.
While these impacts are less damaging than those resulting from a major bushfire, DEPI endeavours to minimise
these impacts as much as possible by working with communities and industries to better understand how they are
affected. At the same time DEPI aims to take advantage of every suitable opportunity to carry out planned
burning.
Bushfires and planned burning produce smoke which can impact individuals, communities and industries such as
wine makers, apiarists and tourism. DEPI and Parks Victoria are continuing to work with the Victorian
Departments of Health and Human Services, Tourism Victoria, VicRoads, Victoria Police and the Environment
Protection Authority to minimise the impacts of smoke on communities and economies.
DEPI also works with the Bureau of Meteorology to try to broadly predict where smoke from planned burns may
travel and settle so that relevant communities and industries can be given as much notice of potential impacts as
possible. The close partnership between bushfire behaviour analysts from DEPI, the Bureau of Meteorology and
Parks Victoria has helped to raise the alert of potential smoke exposure situations.
DEPI has made a range of improvements to systems and procedures to ensure that stakeholder and community
impacts and concerns are a key consideration in fuel management planning and operations. DEPI has made
changes to many aspects of burns across the state based on advice from and issues raised by stakeholders.
DEPI is committed to providing timely and informative notifications of planned burns to the community and
stakeholders in a variety of ways. This has been a strong focus in recent years, as DEPI acknowledges that
timely advice allows local people and groups to better plan activities.
DEPI’s communication campaign, which uses traditional media and digital communication channels, along with
roadside signage, has also resulted in increased awareness of planned burning.
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Case study – Community involvement in planned burning
Eagle Rise is a short distance east of Yarra Junction and contains a mix of forested and cleared private property
adjoining public land. Much of the terrain is steep and the area has long been regarded by many as a bushfire risk to
the community. This was highlighted in 2006 when a bushfire in nearby Millners Hill threatened homes, causing
major disruption and anxiety in the community. This has contributed to local interest groups becoming more active in
relation to land management.
In response to requests from residents and the local CFA, a burn that comprised 90 per cent private property was
included in the 2012-13 Fire Operations Plan. An intensive effort was then carried out with property owners and
stakeholders to develop a plan for this high-risk location. On-site meetings were held with landholders, the CFA and
Yarra Ranges Shire Council to hear concerns and explain the objectives of the planned burn and how it would be
delivered.
All landowners gave permission for the planned burn to go ahead on their land, relevant approvals were obtained
and the burn was fully planned, prepared ready for ignition.
Unfortunately the right weather conditions did not eventuate and the planned burn did not go ahead in 2012-13.
However, this is an example of how DEPI and stakeholders can work through a complex situation together to
develop an agreed outcome.
This planned burn has been identified as a high priority for 2013-14.
Bushfire impacts
Dry conditions over much of the state, particularly in the west, led to an early and prolonged bushfire season from
November to April.
DEPI personnel attended 866 fires (a total area of 201,630 hectares) including six major bushfires that required
attention over several weeks before being controlled. DEPI worked closely with the Fire Services Commissioner,
CFA and other emergency agencies.
Several DEPI and Networked Emergency Organisation staff were deployed to Tasmania and New South Wales
during January to assist with bushfires.
Given the extended period of planned burning and bushfire response during 2012-13, high levels of staff fatigue
needed to be carefully managed.
Three DEPI firefighters died while on active duty in Victoria and interstate. DEPI and its staff were deeply
saddened by these deaths and are participating in internal and external safety reviews towards improved safety
for its firefighters.
Planned burns breaching contingency areas
Across the state, three out of 678 planned burns breached contingency areas (equivalent to less than 0.5 per
cent of all planned burns in 2012-13). These burns were investigated because they could not be contained within
30 minutes and/or impacted private land. Of these, two burns caused damage to private assets.
The three planned burns investigated were:
Hallston – Hallston Road (South Gippsland District)
40 hectare ecological burn ignited on 25 March 2013 which breached contingency areas the following afternoon.
It burnt approximately 562 hectares of both public and private land causing damage to blue gum and pine
plantations, private fencing, pasture and sheds.
Terrick Terrick National Park – O’Neill’s Paddock (Murray Goldfields District)
139 hectare ecological burn breached contingency areas on 19 April 2013. It burnt 194 hectares of both public
and private land including pasture and causing damage to fences.
Page 12 of 28
Loch Sport – Walkers Point (Heyfield District)
367 hectare fuel reduction burn ignited on 30 April 2013. It was reignited on 3 May 2013 and breached
contingency areas on 8 May 2013, burning 50 hectares of public land.
Statewide fuel management activities
This section rates DEPI’s achievements in:
 fuel management
 planning for fuel management
 preparation for fuel management
 monitoring.
The fuel reduction target is confirmed through the State Budget process each year. The 2012-13 fuel reduction
target was 250,000 hectares. The overall area where fuel was reduced was 275,192 hectares.
The accounting framework for bushfire fuel management treatments is included in Appendix 1.
Fuel management activities
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Hectares
contributing
to target
Area treated
by planned
burning
4 out of 4
255,226
255,226
Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
N/A
6757
N/A
Description
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
N/A
151,552
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or
Bushfire Moderation Zone or Landscape
Moderation Zone (as defined in the Code of
Practice for Bushfire Management on
Public Land, 2012) which were affected by
bushfire.
Area
identified on
a current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
N/A
19,966
19,966
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for
planned burning affected by bushfires.
These are areas pre-planned for planned
burning that were affected by bushfire.
Overall area
where fuel
has been
reduced
4 out of 4
413,535
275,192
Includes area treated by planned burning
and area pre-planned for planned burning
(as identified in the Fire Operations Plan)
that were affected by bushfire.
Table does not include burns breaching contingency areas/containment lines.
Other activities
Performanc
e indicator
Rating
Description
Page 13 of 28
Activity 1: Planning and preparation for fuel management activities
Burn plans
completed
for 165 per
cent of
intended
planned burn
program.
4 out of 4
To enable planned burning to be carried out, where and when conditions were
suitable, burn plans were completed for around 579,200 hectares across the state
(232 per cent of intended planned burn program).
Burn plans were completed for burns across the three years of the Fire Operations
Plan to provide operational flexibility in scheduling burns. This enabled burns to be
brought forward in areas where weather conditions were more suitable or to
reschedule burns to better suit operational and community needs.
Regions carried out site preparation for about 483,130 hectares (193 per cent of
Burn
intended planned burn program) to ensure that sufficient burns would be available if
preparation
weather conditions were suitable.
completed
for 140 per
cent of
intended
planned burn
program.
Activity 2: Community engagement
Communities 4 out of 4 DEPI has provided a broad range of opportunities for stakeholders and communities
across Victoria to be involved in and better understand planned burning.
have been
engaged
during the
planned
burning
program
process
During 2012-13 these included:
 community forums
 industry days
 smoke and health forums
 six regional stakeholder roundtable meetings
 four state-wide peak body stakeholder roundtable meetings
 facilitated discussions with many interested individuals and stakeholder
groups.
Stakeholders engaged included:
 wine industry
 apiarists
 health industry
 agriculture industry
 tourism industry
 conservation groups.
An external evaluation of planned burning engagement from 2010-2012
(undertaken in June 2013) showed that key stakeholder groups increased their
understanding of planned burning as a result of engagement with DEPI during
2012-13. The evaluation included an activity review and interviews with internal and
external stakeholders.
Engagement undertaken across the state was evaluated against three key criteria
and rated DEPI as "good" in ensuring that key stakeholders received accurate and
timely information about planned burns, and "just good enough" in the transparency
and defensibility of engagement processes. This evaluation will be undertaken
every two to three years in the future to help inform DEPI’s engagement planning.
In 2012-13 DEPI continued to work on improving relationships with key
stakeholders, particularly with conservation and biodiversity focused groups.
Throughout 2012-13 communities and stakeholders were consulted during the
development of the framework for this report, the first annual report on DEPI’s fuel
management program. This engagement occurred between October 2012 and
January 2013, and a significant amount of feedback from stakeholders was
considered in the development of the report.
For each of DEPI’s regions a regional engagement plan was developed based on a
state-wide plan for community engagement about planned burning. Through these
plans, DEPI consistently facilitated input to the Fire Operations Planning process,
Page 14 of 28
notified communities and stakeholders about planned burns and continued dialogue
with a broad range of key stakeholder groups to further develop relationships.
DEPI continued to notify communities about the location and timing of planned
burns through the media, as well as the potential impacts of planned burning
activities.
Activity 3: Monitoring
Monitoring
programs
relating to
risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4
The activities of the monitoring program for 2012-13:

A monitoring and research sites database was developed to allow sites to be
viewed in map form. The database is in the testing phase and will be released
on the DEPI Biodiversity Interactive Mapper in 2013-14.
Observations of the monitoring program for 2012-13 include:

Reassessment of monitoring sites in large mosaic burns in the Otways and
Upper Thompson, two years after planned burning, to monitor the response of
flora, fauna, habitat structure and fuels to mosaic burning.

Pre-fire surveys of 1,575 hollow-bearing trees across 36 planned burns in
Gippsland, including repeats visits to 18 sites for audit/data quality assurance.
Post-fire surveys will be conducted after spring planned burning in 2013.
Flora Assessment:

1,381 plots were assessed for flora species with over 230 species recorded.

Methods used included the All Species Assessment and Indicator Species
Assessment from the Flora monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s
guide (Cawson and Muir, 2008) and a frequency of occurrence assessment
across 1x1metre quadrats.
Fauna Assessment:

771 remote cameras were deployed to assess fauna with 21 native mammal
species, 10 feral mammal species, 44 bird species and four reptile species.

77 habitat structure assessments were conducted using the Guide to Monitoring
Habitat Structure – Standard Method.

83 species of bird were recorded across 158 two hectare, 20 minute standard
bird surveys.

Seven native species and one feral species of mammal recorded through
trapping.
Fuels and fire severity:

102 fuel hazard surveys were conducted using the Overall Fuel Hazard
Assessment Guide, 4th Edition.

Over 3,400 fire severity assessments were conducted using a fire severity
ground truthing assessment developed by the DEPI Fire and Emergency
Management Division.
EVCs/EVDs:

17 Ecological Vegetation Divisions were sampled.

33 Ecological Vegetation Classes were sampled.
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 4: Total output costs
Planned burning program was sufficient and implemented in an efficient manner
Total budget allocated to DEPI in the Victorian Budget for 2012-13 was
Funds allocated ($m) 3 out of 4
$353.2 million for “Effective management of fire”. This represented an
increase on the 2011-12 budget as a result of additional investment in
expanding the planned burning program.
Some of the fuel management activities covered in the budget included:

improved community engagement through roundtables and other
Page 15 of 28




forums
recruitment of additional field staff
increased involvement and mobility of staff (stand-by and overtime,
training, medicals, moving taskforces around the state)
additional equipment and vehicles to support increased level of staff
involvement
extending availability and flying hours for aircraft for ignition and patrol
of planned burns.
Work is currently underway to develop an improved costing system so that
the actual costs of each planned burn undertaken can be assessed. Future
reports will provide more detailed information on this.
In 2012-13, CFA assisted DEPI with approximately 96 planned burns on
public land across the state.
Gippsland region fuel management activities overview

Six fire districts, from east to west:
o
Orbost
o
Swifts Creek
o
Bairnsdale
o
Heyfield
o
South Gippsland
o
Baw Baw

Topography includes riverine plains, foothills and mountains, which results in a widely varied climate.
Annual average rainfall varies from 600mm to 1950mm throughout the region.

Alpine areas receive snow throughout winter, however climatic conditions across the region are best
described as ‘Mediterranean’, generally with a wet winter and a hot, dry summer.

Contains approximately 70 Ecological Vegetation Classes ranging from wet heathland to shrubby dry
forest and sub-alpine woodland.

Home to a diverse array of fauna, including some of the state’s threatened species.
Fuel management activities
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Hectares
contributin
g to target
Description
Area treated
by planned
burning
4 out of
4
114,942
114,942
The Gippsland Region allocated planned burning program
for 2012-13 was 97,760 hectares.
The Gippsland Region treated 114,942 hectares (244
burns) which equates to 118 per cent of its planned
program.
Gippsland exceeded the allocated number of required
hectares to be treated. The spring burning season provided
limited opportunities with the majority of the burning
program completed in autumn.
In previous years the autumn program has been completed
early during the month of April, however unseasonal dry
weather in 2013 provided opportunities well into the month
of May.
Page 16 of 28
Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
N/A
N/A
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
N/A
76,235
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or Bushfire
Moderation Zone or Landscape Moderation Zone as
defined in the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management
on Public Land, 2012 which were affected by bushfire.
Area
identified on
current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
N/A
3447
3447
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for planned burning
affected by bushfires. These are areas pre-planned for
planned burning that were affected by bushfire.
Overall area
where fuel
has been
reduced
4 out of
4
191,822
118,389
Includes area treated by planned burning and area preplanned for planned burning (as identified in the Fire
Operations Plan) that were affected by bushfire.
645
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing
Other activities
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 1: Planning and preparing for fuel management activities
4 out of  Gippsland’s allocated planned burning program for 2012-13 was 97,760
Total area planned
hectares.
and prepared for
4
 Burn plans were prepared for 224,101 hectares (229 per cent of the
planned burning
program area) and site preparation completed for 189,417 hectares
(194 per cent of the program area).
 Performance indicators were set early in the season which allowed
districts to start both burn plans and site preparation early. Gippsland
staff had an extremely busy summer with extensive bushfire response,
however early planning allowed a large number of sites to be prepped
by external contractors. Having burn plans and area prepped in excess
of the hectare target allowed for a greater choice of burns to be ignited
when the conditions were appropriate.
Activity 2: Monitoring
Monitoring programs
relating to risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4







816 plots were assessed for flora species with 186 species of flora
recorded
Gippsland focal flora – to determine if Key Fire Response Species
respond to Inter-fire Interval in the manner predicted by their vital
attributes.
60 habitat structure assessments were conducted using the Guide to
Monitoring Habitat Structure – Standard Method.
540 remote cameras were deployed to assess fauna with 17 native
mammal species, six feral mammal species, 24 bird species and two
reptile species recorded.
72 species of bird were recorded across 20 minute two hectare
standard bird surveys.
Pre-fire surveys of 1575 hollow-bearing trees were completed across
36 planned burns in Gippsland, including repeat visits to 18 sites for
audit/data quality assurance.
60 fuel hazard surveys were conducted using the Overall Fuel Hazard
Assessment Guide, 4th Edition.
Page 17 of 28



1093 fire severity assessments were conducted using a fire severity
ground truthing assessment developed by Fire and Emergency
Management Division.
10 Ecological Vegetation Divisions sampled.
20 Ecological Vegetation Classes sampled.
North East region fuel management activities overview

Four fire districts, from east to west:
o
Upper Murray
o
Ovens
o
Goulburn
o
Murrindindi

Consists of river red gum forested corridors along the Murray, Goulburn and Ovens rivers, cleared
farming lands of the northern plains, dry forested foothills and mountainous terrain.

Climate varies across the region with annual rainfall ranging from 425mm on the plains to more than
1200mm on the Alps.

Home to myriad flora and fauna, including River Red gums and Murray Cod, and a number of threatened
species including Leadbeater’s and Mountain Pygmy Possums, Spotted Tree Frog, and Regent
Honeyeaters.
Fuel management activities
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Area treated
by planned
burning
4 out of
4
72,767
Hectares
contributin
g to target
72,767
Description
The North East Region allocated planned burning program
for 2012-13 was 67,708 hectares.
The North East Region treated 72,767 hectares (165 burns)
which equates to 107 per cent of its program.
North East was also able to support the planning,
preparation and delivery of burns across the state in the
lead up to conditions becoming suitable for burns locally.
The additional planning and preparation across the region
provided flexibility in the program which enabled it to direct
resources to assist districts with priority burns and move
resources in response to weather and stakeholder
variables. The North East program was exceeded with
minimal stakeholder/community issues as a result of good
planning and stakeholder engagement.
Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
N/A
766
N/A
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
N/A
26,191
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or Bushfire
Moderation Zone or Landscape Moderation Zone as
defined in the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management
on Public Land, 2012 which were affected by bushfire.
Area
identified on
N/A
843
843
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for planned burning
affected by bushfires. These are areas pre-planned for
planned burning that were affected by bushfire.
Page 18 of 28
current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
4 out of 4
Total area
where fuel
has been
reduced
99,724
73,610
Includes area treated by planned burning and area preplanned for planned burning (as identified in the Fire
Operations Plan) that were affected by bushfire.
Other activities
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 1: Planning and preparing for fuel management activities
4 out of  North East’s allocated planned burning program for 2012-13 was 67,708
Total area planned
hectares.
and prepared for
4
 Burn plans were prepared for 165,412 hectares (244 per cent of the
planned burning
program area) and site preparation completed for 146,213 hectares (216
per cent of the program area).
 The dry spring leading into a hot dry summer in north-eastern Victoria
limited opportunities to conduct planned burns at the start of the financial
year.
 The autumn program was not able to get underway until April, following a
long dry summer and extended bushfire season in the region.
 Small amounts of periodic rainfall did provide a number of good burning
windows leading into May, enabling the North East to carry out an
extensive program.
Activity 2: Monitoring
Monitoring programs
relating to risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4





22 sites were assessed for two to 12 week post-burn habitat structure, fuel
hazard and fire severity near Corryong.
22 sites were assessed for fauna using remote cameras near Corryong.
13 native mammal species, 11 bird species, three reptile species and five
species of feral animal were identified by remote camera surveys.
Five Ecological Vegetation Divisions sampled.
Six Ecological Vegetation Classes sampled.
North West region fuel management activities overview

Two districts, from east to west:
o
Murray Goldfields
o
Mallee

Consists of River Red Gum forest corridors of the Murray River, cleared dry farmland, and large tracts of
Mallee and Heath on sandy soils. Southern part also features isolated patches of Box Iron Bark Forest
and mixed species foothill forests.

Climate varies significantly across the region but is generally characterised by hot summers and mild
winters in the west, and hot summers with wet and cold winters in the east. Annual average rainfall
ranges from 250 mm to 700mm across the region.

Diverse range of public land including grasslands at Terrick Terrick listed under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, (Cth) and internationally-significant wetlands at
Hattah and Kerang.

Home to 175 threatened fauna species and 533 threatened flora species, including numerous rare and
threatened orchids which DEPI is helping conserve.
Fuel management activities
Page 19 of 28
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Area treated
by planned
burning
3 out of 4
43,198
Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
N/A
1306
Hectares
contributin
g to target
43,198
N/A
Description

The North West Region allocated planned burning
program for 2012-13 was 44,795 hectares.

The North West Region treated 43,198 hectares
(84 burns), or 96 per cent of its program.

The North West Region carried out a significant
burn program completing 97 burns over a season
that provided restricted burning opportunities in
autumn. The region also supported the delivery of
burn programs in other regions over the autumn
period that contributed to DEPI meeting the statewide target.
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
N/A
27
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or Bushfire
Moderation Zone or Landscape Moderation Zone as
defined in the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management
on Public Land, 2012 which were affected by bushfire.
Area
identified on
current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
N/A
0
0
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for planned burning
affected by bushfires. These are areas pre-planned for
planned burning that were affected by bushfire.
Overall area
where fuel
has been
reduced
3 out of
4
44,531
43,198
Includes area treated by planned burning and area preplanned for planned burning (as identified in the Fire
Operations Plan) that were affected by bushfire.
Other activities
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 1: Planning and preparing for fuel management activities
Total area planned
and prepared for
planned burning
4 out of
4

The North West’s allocated planned burning program for 2012-13 was
44,795 hectares.

Burn plans were prepared for 83,139 hectares (186 per cent of the
program area) and site preparation completed for 72,223 hectares
(161 per cent of the program area).

Seasonal conditions experienced in 2012-13 were generally favourable
for planned burning during spring. Opportunities were limited later in
the season due to a very dry summer leading into a dry autumn.

Extensive burn planning (186 per cent of program) and preparation
(161 per cent of program) ensured a full range of burns were ready for
ignition subject to suitable conditions.
Page 20 of 28
Activity 2: Monitoring
Monitoring programs
relating to risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4








29 post burn assessments of flora species presence, cover abundance and
life-stage were conducted using the All Species Assessment from the Flora
monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s guide (Cawson and
Muir, 2008).
Two post burn assessments of key fire response species density, cover
and life-stage were conducted using the Indicator Species Assessment
from the Flora monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s guide
(Cawson and Muir, 2008).
Four Ecological Vegetation Divisions sampled.
Seven Ecological Vegetation Classes sampled.
Mallee hollows were assessed to determine the size at which hollows
become useful for fauna and the time-since-fire to reach these hollow
sizes. Fifty-eight sites were surveyed for hollow dependent fauna in 201213.
Mallee herbivory were assessed to determine how introducing herbivores
(kangaroos, goats, rabbits) post fire influences flora composition,
vegetation structure and fire fuel characteristics. The third round of postfire surveys of herbivore grazing impacts on vegetation recovery were
conducted in the Mallee in March 2013.
Mallee planned burn scenario mapping was carried out to develop 20 year
projections of the effects of planned burning on biodiversity in the Murray
Sunset Landscape Management Unit.
A concerted effort was made to work closely with the community and
environmental groups that provided information regarding particular
species. Changes were made to several planned burns as a result of
information received, including the exclusion of approximately eight
hectares of native vegetation from a burn near Bendigo to help protect the
habitat of the Eltham Copper Butterfly. DEPI also worked closely with the
community to modify burns near Castlemaine to protect known Eltham
Copper Butterfly habitat. Specific areas of habitat were excluded and DEPI
rescheduled burns from spring to autumn to take into account the life-cycle
of this rare butterfly.
Port Phillip region fuel management activities overview

Two districts:
o
Yarra District
o
East Metropolitan

Landscape and climate varies greatly across the region ranging from coastal plains in the south east, to
the sub-alpine peaks of the Yarra Ranges and the drier volcanic plains to Melbourne’s west.

Diversity of flora and fauna, with habitats including internationally significant Ramsar wetlands, the highly
valued forests of the Dandenongs, grasslands in Melbourne’s west and wet forests of the Yarra Ranges.

These habitats support an array of species including Victoria’s faunal emblems, the Leadbeater’s
Possum and the Helmeted Honey Eater.
Fuel management activities
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Area treated
by planned
burning
3 out
of 4
4072
Hectares
contributin
g to target
4072
Description

Port Phillip Region’s allocated planned burning program
for 2012-13 was 5,606 hectares.

Port Phillip treated 4072 hectares (97 burns), or 73 per
cent of its planned program.

Port Phillip carried out a significant burn program
completing 97 burns over a season that provided
Page 21 of 28
restricted burning opportunities. The region also
supported the delivery of burn programs in other
regions over autumn.
Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
N/A
N/A
391
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing.
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
N/A
16
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or Bushfire
Moderation Zone or Landscape Moderation Zone as
defined in the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management
on Public Land, 2012 which were affected by bushfire.
Area
identified on
current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
N/A
12
12
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for planned burning
affected by bushfires. These are areas pre-planned for
planned burning that were affected by bushfire.
Overall area
where fuel
has been
reduced
3 out of 4
4479
4084
Includes area treated by planned burning and area preplanned for planned burning (as identified in the Fire
Operations Plan) that were affected by bushfire.
Other activities
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 1: Planning and preparing for fuel management activities
Total area planned
and prepared for
planned burning
4 out of
4

Port Phillip Region’s allocated planned burning program for 2012-13
was 5606 hectares.

Burn plans were prepared for 9244 hectares (165 per cent of the
program area) and site preparation completed for 11,966 hectares
(213 per cent of the program area).

Seasonal conditions in 2012-13 were generally not favourable for
planned burning. Major burn planning (165 per cent of the program
area) and preparation (213 per cent of program area) ensured a full
range of burns were ready for ignition subject to suitable conditions.
Activity 2: Monitoring
Monitoring programs
relating to risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4




10 post burn assessments of flora species presence, cover abundance and
life-stage were conducted using the All Species Assessment from the Flora
monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s guide (Cawson and
Muir, 2008).
Four post burn assessments of key fire response species density, cover
and life-stage were conducted using the Indicator Species Assessment
from the Flora monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s guide
(Cawson and Muir, 2008).
Three Ecological Vegetation Divisions sampled.
Three Ecological Vegetation Classes sampled.
South West region fuel management activities

Four districts:
Page 22 of 28
o
Midlands
o
Wimmera
o
Otway
o
Far South West

Vegetation communities are diverse, ranging from heathy woodlands along the coast and in the
Wimmera deserts, to the Buloke woodlands on the fertile Wimmera plains, the temperate rainforest
communities of the Otway mountain ranges and the grasslands of the volcanic plains.

Threatened species include the south east subspecies of the red-tailed black cockatoo, mammals
including bandicoots and phascogales and reptiles including earless dragons, swamp skinks and a range
of snakes.
[FOOTNOTE: With the merge of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the
Department of Primary Industries to create DEPI, changes were made to the regional structure. As a
result, the South West Region was divided into two regions, Barwon South West Region and Grampians
Region. The former DSE South West Region is referred to here for the purposes of reporting on activities
in 2012-13.]
Fuel management activities
Activity
Rating
Total
hectares
Hectares
contributin
g to target
Area treated
by planned
burning
3 out of 4
20,247
20,247
Description




Area treated
by other fuel
management
treatments
Area suitable
for planned
burning
affected by
bushfires
Area
identified on
current,
approved
Fire
Operations
Plan (FOP)
affected by
bushfires
N/A
3649
N/A
The South West Region’s allocated planned burning
program for 2012-13 was 34,268 hectares.
South West treated 20,247 hectares (88 burns), or 59
per cent of its planned program.
South West’s planned burning program was hampered
by underlying dryness across most of the region,
periodical rain through the Otway Ranges, and
resources being deployed throughout Victoria to
capitalise on more favourable burning conditions
elsewhere.
The region was able to treat 20,247 hectares through
innovative programing of significant burns during winter
and early spring in the Wimmera and Far South West
Districts, taking every opportunity to undertake burning
when conditions allowed.
This includes:

mechanical

chemical

grazing
N/A
49,083
N/A
Areas within the Asset Protection Zone or Bushfire
Moderation Zone or Landscape Moderation Zone as
defined in the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management
on Public Land, 2012 which were affected by bushfire.
N/A
15,664
15,664
This figure is a subset of Area suitable for planned burning
affected by bushfires. These are areas pre-planned for
planned burning that were affected by bushfire.
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Overall area
where fuel
has been
reduced
4 out
of 4
72,979
35,911
Includes area treated by planned burning and area preplanned for planned burning (as identified in the Fire
Operations Plan) that were affected by bushfire.
Other activities
Performance
Rating
Description
indicator
Activity 1: Planning and preparing for fuel management activities
4 out of  South West’s allocated planned burning program for 2012-13 was 34,268
Total area planned
hectares.
and prepared for
4

Burn plans were prepared for 97,309 hectares (284 per cent of the
planned burning
program area) and site preparation completed for 63,312 hectares (185 per
cent of the program area).
 Significant effort was invested throughout the year in burn planning to allow
more flexibility during autumn if suitable conditions presented. The treated
area was limited due to marginal conditions locally and resource support
provided to eastern Victoria.
Activity 2: Monitoring
Monitoring programs
relating to risk and
biodiversity
assessment
undertaken
3 out of 4

519 plots were assessed for flora species with 116 species of flora
recorded.

17 habitat structure assessments were conducted using the Guide to
Monitoring Habitat Structure – Standard Method.

231 remote cameras were deployed to assess fauna with 15 native
mammal species, seven feral mammal species, 33 bird species and one
reptile species recorded.

55 species of bird were recorded across 20 minute two hectare standard
bird surveys.

Seven native species and one feral species of mammal were recorded
through cage and Elliot trapping.

107 fuel hazard surveys were conducted using the Overall Fuel Hazard
Assessment Guide, 4th Edition.
228 fire severity assessments were conducted using a fire severity ground
truthing assessment developed by Fire and Emergency Management
Division Division.
10 Ecological Vegetation Divisions sampled.
14 Ecological Vegetation Classes sampled.



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References
Department of Sustainability and Environment (2012) Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on
Public Land, Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2013) Victorian Bushfire Risk Profile Report.
Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Cawson J. G. and Muir A. (2008) Flora monitoring protocols for planned burning: a user’s guide. Fire
and Adaptive Management Report No. 74. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Hines F., Tolhurst K., Wilson A. A. G. and McCarthy G. J. (2010) Overall fuel hazard assessment
guide, 4th Edition. Fire and Adaptive Management Report No. 82. Department of Sustainability and
Environment.
Keeney, R., & Gregory, R. (2005) ‘Selecting attributes to measure the achievement of objectives.’
Operations Research, 53, 1–11.
Parliament of Victoria (2010) 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report. Parliament of
Victoria.
Treloar S. M. (2011) Guide to Monitoring Habitat Structure. Fire and Adaptive Management Report No.
85. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Appendix 1: Accounting framework for bushfire fuel management treatments
INTRODUCTION
Under the Forests Act 1958, the Secretary to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries
(the Secretary) is responsible for carrying out proper and sufficient work in State forests, national parks
and on protected public land to prevent and suppress bushfires. Bushfire fuel treatment contributes to
meeting this outcome.
In a forest or grassland, bushfire fuel is any material that can burn (be ignited and sustain a fire) under
certain conditions, including grass, leaf litter, bark, woody debris and live vegetation. Bushfire fuel
treatments can be undertaken to modify the load, continuity and arrangement of fuels and reduce the
risk of bushfire.
Planned burning is generally the most effective treatment for managing bushfire fuel over large areas.
Other treatments (that can be applied at different scales) include slashing, mowing, fuel break
construction.
This accounting framework does not apply to outcomes that are not related to bushfire fuel treatment .
Land management and/or ecological outcomes are prescribed at the landscape or program level.
DEPI will report on the achievement of ecological outcomes as a component of public accountability.
POLICY
Accounting unit
The basic accounting unit for the amount of bushfire fuel management activities in Victoria is the
‘treated area’.
The treated area is the area (in hectares) of land identified on a Fire Operations Plan on which a
bushfire fuel treatment has been successfully undertaken to achieve a pre-defined bushfire fuel
treatment objective.
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Planned area
The ‘planned area’ is a unit of land identified on a Fire Operations Plan.
Bushfire fuel treatment objective
A bushfire fuel treatment objective must be established for the ‘planned area’. The objective should be
set considering (but not limited to):
 the type and amount of bushfire fuel treatment required to assist in the prevention and
suppression of bushfire.
 the height, cover and type of bushfire fuel present at the site.
 Legislative requirements, the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land 2012
and other relevant policy, the overall land management objectives.
The bushfire fuel treatment objective should be simple, measurable, achievable and realistic. It must be
approved prior to undertaking the bushfire fuel treatment for the planned area.
A bushfire fuel treatment objective must specify:

Fuel treatment coverage – the portion of the planned area over which the intended fuel
outcome is to be achieved, generally expressed as a percentage. The fuel outcomes will be
expressed in terms of overall fuel hazard1 or other measures such as height.

Treatment timeframe/persistence – the timeframe over which the treatment is to be
undertaken or persist to achieve the treatment coverage
Treated area
If for a planned area the fuel treatment coverage and treatment timeframe are both met, the planned
area is determined to be a ‘treated area’
BUSHFIRE FUEL MANAGEMENT TREATMENTS
The type of treatment to be applied should be determined as part of the planning process, and must
consider legislative requirements (including any restrictions on the use of a particular treatment type),
land management objectives, the bushfire fuel treatment objective and the height, cover and type of
bushfire fuel present at the site
The following bushfire fuel treatments are approved for accounting purposes. Each treatment type must
be accounted for separately.





1
Treatment by fire including:
o Planned burning
o Bushfires where they occur in areas pre-planned for fuel treatments.
Mechanical treatment (for example, mowing, slashing and mulching) where identified on an
approved Fire Operations Plan
Chemical treatment for example by using herbicide where identified on an approved Fire
Operations Plan.
Grazing by domestic stock - Targeted strategic grazing by domestic stock (typically cattle or
sheep) can impact on bushfire fuel by physically removing and compacting vegetation
(commonly grasses). Grazing by domestic stock may only be accounted for as a bushfire fuel
treatment where it is specifically undertaken to manage bushfire fuel and has been identified in
an approved Fire Operations Plan.
Other treatments approved by the Secretary to the Department of Environment and Primary
Industries.
Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide, 4th edition July 2010, Fire and adaptive management report no. 82, Fire Management Branch, Department of
Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.
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Customer Service Centre 138 189
www.depi.vic.gov.au
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