<Insert Local Government Name>

<insert Local Government name>

Bushfire Risk Management Plan

<20XX – 20XX>

Add review and endorsement dates to title page as known and appropriate, for example;

Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) Bushfire Risk Management (BRM) Plan reviewed XX Month 20XX

Local Government Council BRM Plan endorsement XX Month 20XX

Contents

1.Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2Aim and Objectives

1.3Legislation, Policy and Standards

1.3.1Legislation

1.3.2Policies, Guidelines and Standards

1.3.3Other Related Documents

2.The Risk Management Process

2.1Roles and Responsibilities

2.2Communication & Consultation

3.Establishing the Context

3.1 Description of the Local Government and Community Context

3.1.1Strategic and Corporate Framework

3.1.2Location, Boundaries and Tenure

3.1.3Population and Demographics

3.1.4 Economic Activities and Industry

3.2 Description of the Environment and Bushfire Context

3.2.1Topography and Landscape Features

3.2.2Climate and Bushfire Season

3.2.3Vegetation

3.2.4 Bushfire Frequency and Causes of Ignition

4.Asset Identification and Risk Assessment

4.1Planning Areas

4.1.1Priorities for Asset Identification and Assessment

4.2Asset Identification

4.3Assessment of Bushfire Risk

4.3.1Likelihood Assessment

4.3.2Consequence Assessment

4.3.3Assessment of Environmental Assets

4.3.4Local Government Asset Risk Summary

5.Risk Evaluation

5.1Evaluating Bushfire risk

5.2Treatment Priorities

5.3Risk Acceptability

6.Risk Treatment

6.1Local Government-Wide Controls

6.2Asset-Specific Treatment Strategies

6.3Determining the Treatment Schedule

7.Monitoring and Review

7.1Review

7.2Monitoring

7.3Reporting

8.Glossary

9.Common Abbreviations

Appendices

1Communication Strategy

2Planning Area Map

3Asset Risk Register

4Treatment Schedule

5Local Government-Wide Controls, Multi-Agency Treatment Work Plan

Document Control

Document Name / Bushfire Risk Management Plan / Current Version / 1.0
Document Owner / Local Government CEO / Issue Date / DD/MM/YYYY
Document Location / Add as required. / Next Review Date / DD/MM/YYYY

Document Endorsements

Local Government Council endorses that the Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRM Plan)has been reviewed and assessed by the Office of Bushfire Risk Management as compliant with the standard for bushfire risk management planning in WesternAustralia, the Guidelines for Preparing a Bushfire Risk Management Plan. Local Government is the owner of this document and has responsibility, as far as is reasonable, to manage the implementation of the BRM Plan and facilitate the implementation of bushfire risk management treatments by risk owners. The endorsement of the BRM Plan by Local Government Council satisfies their endorsement obligations under State Hazard Plan - Fire(interim).

Local Government / Representative / Signature / Date
Local government council / Name and title

Amendment List

Version / Date / Author / Section
Add as required.

Publication Information

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Add as required.

1.Introduction

1.1 Background

Under the State Hazard Plan - Fire (Interim)(OEM 2017)an integrated Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRM Plan) is to be developed for local government areas with significant bushfire risk. This BRM Plan has been prepared for the <insert Local Government name>in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines for Preparing a Bushfire Risk Management Plan (Guidelines) (OBRM 2015). The risk management processes used to develop this BRM Plan are aligned to the key principles of AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management – Principles and guidelines (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009), as described in the Second Edition of the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines (NERAG 2015). This approach is consistent with State Emergency Management Policy (State EM Policy) 3.2 - Emergency Risk Management Planning.

This BRM Plan is a strategic document that identifies assets at risk from bushfire and their priority for treatment. The Treatment Schedule sets out a broad program of coordinated multi-agency treatments to address risks identified in the BRM Plan. Government agencies and other land managers responsible for implementing treatments participate in developing the BRM Plan to ensure treatment strategies are collaborative and efficient, regardless of land tenure.

1.2Aim and Objectives

Theaim of the BRM Planis to document a coordinated and efficient approach toward the identification, assessment and treatment of assets exposed to bushfire risk within the <insert Local Government name>.

The objective of the BRM Planis to effectively manage bushfire risk within the <insert Local Government name> in order to protect people, assets and other things of local value. Specifically, the objectives of this BRM Plan are to:

• Guide and coordinate a tenure blind, multi-agency bushfire risk management program over a five year period;
• Document the process used to identify, analyse and evaluate risk, determine priorities and develop a plan to systematically treat risk;
• Facilitate the effective use of the financial and physical resources available for bushfire risk management activities;
• Integrate bushfire risk management into the business processes of local government, land owners and other agencies;
• Ensure there is integration between land owners and bushfire risk management programs and activities;
• Monitor and review the implementation of treatments to ensure treatment plans are adaptable and risk is managed at an acceptable level.

1.3Legislation, Policy and Standards

The following legislation, policy and standards were considered to be applicable in the development and implementation of the BRM Plan.

1.3.1Legislation

• Bush Fires Act 1954
• Emergency Management Act 2005
• Fire Brigades Act 1942
• Fire and Emergency Service Act 1998
• Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
• Environmental Protection Act 1986
• Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Wildlife Conservation Act 1950
• Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
• Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909
• Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947
• Building Act 2011
• Bush Fires Regulations 1954
• Emergency Management Regulations 2006
• Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015
• Insert additional relevant legislation here

1.3.2Policies, Guidelines and Standards

• National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines (NERAG) (Second Edition 2015)
• State Emergency Management Policy 2.5 – Local Arrangements
• State Emergency Management Policy 3.2–Emergency Risk Management Planning (OEM)
• State Emergency Management Prevention Procedure 1 – Emergency Risk Management Planning (OEM)
• State Emergency Management Preparedness Procedure 7 – Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC)

• State Emergency Management Preparedness Procedure 8 – Local Emergency Management Arrangements (OEM)

• State Hazard Plan Fire (Interim) (OEM)
• State Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (WAPC)
• State Planning Policy 3.4: Natural Hazards and Disasters (WAPC)
• Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (WAPC 2017)
• Western Australian Emergency Risk Management Guidelines (OEM 2015)
• Guidelines for Plantation Fire Protection (DFES 2011)
• Firebreak Location, Construction and Maintenance Guidelines (DFES)
• Bushfire Risk Management Planning – Guidelines for preparing a Bushfire Risk Management Plan (OBRM 2015)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 - Risk management – Principles and guidelines
• AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas
• Insert additional relevant policies, guidelines or standards here

1.3.3Other Related Documents

• National Strategy for Disaster Resilience
• National Statement of Capability for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC 2015)
• Public Service Circular No. 88 Use of Herbicides in Water Catchment Areas
• Code of Practice for Timber Plantations in Western Australia (Forest Products Commission Second Edition 2014)
• Bushfire Risk Management Planning Handbook(DFES)
• Bushfire Risk Management System (BRMS) User Guide (DFES)
• Insert additional related documents here including relevant Local Government strategic, planning and policy documents
  

2.The Risk Management Process

The risk management processes used to identify and address risk in this BRM Plan are aligned with the international standard for risk management, AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009, as described in NERAG(2015). This process is outlined in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1- An overview of the risk management process [1]

2.1Roles and Responsibilities

Table 1 – Roles and Responsibilities

Stakeholder Name* / Roles and Responsibilities
Local Government /

• As custodian of the BRM Plan, coordination of the development and ongoing review of the integrated BRM Plan.
• Negotiation of commitment from land owners to treat risks identified in the BRM Plan.
• As treatment manager, implementation of treatment strategies.
• As part of the approval process, submission of the draft BRM Plan to the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) to review it for consistency with the Guidelines.
• As part of the approval process, submission of the final BRM Planto council for their endorsement and adoption.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) /

• Participationin and contribution to the development and implementation of BRM Plans, as per their agency responsibilities as the Hazard Management Agency for bushfire.
• Support tolocal government through expert knowledge and advice in relation tothe identification, prevention and treatment of bushfire risk.
• Facilitation of local government engagement with state and federal government agencies in the local planning process.
• Undertake treatment strategies, including prescribed burning on behalf of Department of Lands for Unmanaged Reserves and Unallocated Crown Land within gazetted town site boundaries.
• In accordance with Memorandums of Understanding and other agreements, implementation of treatment strategies for other landholders.

Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) /

• Under the OBRM Charter, to ensurebushfire risk is managed in accordance with AS/NZS ISO 31000 and reporting on the state of bushfire risk across Western Australia.
• ReviewBRM Plansfor consistency with the Guidelines prior to final endorsement by council.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) /

• Participation in and contribution to the development and implementation of BRM Plans.
• Providing advice for the identification of environmental assets that are vulnerable to fire and planning appropriate treatment strategies for their protection.
• As treatment manager, implementation of treatment strategies on department managed land and for Unmanaged Reserves and Unallocated Crown Land outside gazetted town site boundaries.
• In accordance with Memorandums of Understanding and other agreements, implementation of treatment strategies for other landholders.

Other State and Federal Government Agencies /

• Assist the local governmentby providing information about their assets and current risk treatment programs.
• Participation in and contribution to the development and implementation of BRM Plans.
• As treatment manager, implementation of treatment strategies.

Public Utilities /

• Assist the local governmentby providing information about their assets and current risk treatment programs.
• Participation in and contribution to the development and implementation of BRM Plans.
• As treatment manager, implementation of treatment strategies.

Corporations and Private Land Owners /

• As treatment manager, implementation of treatment strategies.

Other (specify)

<* Delete as appropriate>

2.2Communication & Consultation

As indicated in Figure 1 (page x), communication and consultation throughout the risk management process is fundamental to the preparation of an effective BRM Plan. To ensure appropriate and effective communication occurred with relevant stakeholders in the development of the BRM Plan, a Communication Strategy was prepared. The strategy is provided at Appendix <number>.

3.Establishing the Context

This section aims to describe the strategic objectives and values of the local government that relate to bushfire risk, describe the local factors and conditions affecting bushfire risk and treatment, inform the communications strategy and inform the steps for achieving the outcomes of the BRM Plan.

3.1 Description of the Local Government and Community Context

3.1.1Strategic and Corporate Framework

Briefly explain the relationships between bushfire risk management and existing local government strategic and corporate frameworks. Identify the area(s) responsible for the bushfire risk management planning process. Describe how outcomes of the BRM Plan will inform Local Government functions. Suggested sources of information include Local Government documents, corporate plans etc.(Refer to Section 2.9.1of the Guidelines).

3.1.2Location, Boundaries and Tenure

Provide a brief description of the local government location and boundaries to identify the area covered by the BRM Plan. Provide a breakdown of the land tenure (approx. percentage), identifying the key land owner groups to be involved in the development and implementation of the BRM Plan. A map may be provided in this section for ease of interpretation. Suggested sources of information includeLandgate, Local Government records and other State agencies.(Refer to Section 2.9.2 of the Guidelines).

Table 2 – Overview of Land Tenure and Management within the BRM Plan Area

Land Manager/Agency* / % of Plan Area
Local Government
Private
Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
Other
Total

Source:

*Other significant land managers/agencies may be added or removed from the list depending on whether or not they manage land in the local government area.

3.1.3Population and Demographics

Provide a brief description of the population and demographics of the local government area, including where and how people live, the location of communities and general trends with implications for bushfire risk management. Specify any areas undergoing significant or rapid growth or that are planned for development within the BRM Plan timeframe. Address the engagement of the community in preparedness, general perceptions of bushfire risk and the accuracy of these perceptions. Suggested sources of information include the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Local Government records. (Refer to Section 2.9.3of the Guidelines).

3.1.4 Economic Activities and Industry

Provide an overview of any significant economic and industrial activities based within the local government with implications for bushfire risk management. Particular attention should be given to those activitieswith regional or state significance. If tourism is a significant industry, detail the number of visitors and peak seasons of activity. Identify and address any activities with specific bushfire risk management considerations, such as the impact of smoke on agricultural production. Do not include the names of private companies or employers. Suggested sources of information include the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (Refer to Section 2.9.4 of the Guidelines).

3.2 Description of the Environment and Bushfire Context

3.2.1Topography and Landscape Features

Provide an overview of the topography of thearea, addressing any landscape features with the potential to significantly affect bushfire behaviour, increase bushfire risk or limit the capacity to implement effective treatments. Major landscape features mayinclude:

• Ranges and escarpments
• Rivers and valley systems
• Undulating hills
• Coastal plains
• Wetland and Lake systems
• Coastal features, dunes and stabilised dunes
• Caste geology
• Rocky outcrops
• Sandplains
• Deserts
• Rangelands
• Specific soil types or geology (e.g. lateritic, basalt features)

Suggested sources of information include DFES, BRMS, WA Atlas (Landgate website). (Refer to Section 2.10.1 of the Guidelines)

3.2.2Climate and Bushfire Season

Provide an overview of the climate of the area. Address seasonal conditions, including the length and period of all seasons, annual temperature and rainfall patterns, and prevailing conditions, Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) and Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDIs) (extremes 95th percentile). Detail the annual bushfire season, including details of Gazetted Restricted Burning Times and Prohibited Burning Times. Suggested sources of information include the Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Agriculture and Food. (Refer to Section 2.10.2of the Guidelines).

3.2.3Vegetation

Provide a broad overview of the vegetation categories relevant to bushfire risk management. Address vegetation types, arrangements and fuel loads that will affect potential fire behaviour. Note that it is not necessary to provide a list of vegetation categories in the appendices. (Refer to Section 2.10.3 of the Guidelines).

3.2.4 Bushfire Frequency and Causes of Ignition

Provide an overview of the frequency of bushfires in the local government area. Address fire history and areas of frequent ignition, known ignition sources or activities, potential fire paths and the frequency of natural events. Suggested sources of information include DFES, PWS and Local Government. (Refer to Section 2.10.4 of the Guidelines).

4.Asset Identification and Risk Assessment

4.1Planning Areas

To ensure a systematic approach to identifying and assessing assets, the local government should be divided into smaller, more manageable sections that can then be assessed individually in more detail. Planning areas may be based on existing boundaries, such as suburbs, postcodes, brigade boundaries or landscape features. A map showing the local government planning areas should be attached as an appendix to the BRM Plan. (Refer to Section 2.11 of the Guidelines)

The <insert local government name> has been divided into <no. of planning areas. (Provide the names of the planning areas here). Attached at Appendix <number> is a map showing the boundaries of the planning areas identified within the <insert local government name>.

4.1.1Priorities for Asset Identification and Assessment

The Guidelines outline two ways to prioritise asset identification and assessment – the Planning Area Assessment Tool and the alternative method. Only one method should be applied. (Refer to Section 2.12 of the Guidelines)

Planning Area Assessment Tool

The following section is applicable if using the Planning Area Assessment Tool only. (Refer to Appendix B – Planning Area Assessment Tool in the Guidelines). Please delete this section if you used the alternative method.

The Planning Area Assessment Tool was applied to each planning area to determine the priorities for asset identification and assessment. Using the tool, each planning area was rated against six risk factors, with the highest scoring planning area being the first priority for asset identification and risk assessment.