Ipswich City Council

Bushland Fire Management

In a general sense, fire is a natural and critical requirement of a bushlands long term existence. How residents and Council prepare and manage their bushland are two major aspects of Fire Management.

Five FAQs About Fire Management

1. What is the fire policy for Council-owned bushland?

Council owns and manages approximately 4600 hectares of Conservation Estates and 700 hectares of bushland reserves. These areas are managed to protect life and property from wildfire and to maintain or enhance environmental values.

Specific aims of fire management are to:

Protect life, property and environment;
Fulfil Council's obligations under the Fire and Rescue Authority Act 1990;
Maintain or enhance biodiversity within all native vegetation associations;
Assist the protection of rare and threatened species of wildlife;
Ensure long term survival of native wildlife populations; and
Minimise impacts on regional air quality.

2. What does Council do on-ground within the smaller bushland reserves?

On Council owned and controlled land, Council is committed to both minimising fire risk and take all reasonable steps to control fire, and prevent its escape to other lands.

Council constructs and maintains fire access trails and buffer zones on over 700 hectares of bushland reserves (across urban and rural communities). Fire control lines and access trails are inspected every 6 weeks and mown every 9 weeks. However, this may vary between sites subject to different fire risk, weather and growth conditions. These form buffers between property and bushland, and allow vehicular access.

Council has mapped all fire access trails for all bushland reserves, and is committed to continually upgrading fire breaks, water storage points and access tracks.

Bushland Maintenance Map - Denman Park (PDF, 1.2 mb)

3. What about the larger natural areas?

Council owns and manages large areas of bushland, including 2000 hectare Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, 2400 hectare Spring Mountain-White Rock Conservation Estate and 140 hectare Purga Nature Refuge. Council has fire management plans for each large natural area, which are regularly updated to improve protection.

Council has constructed an extensive network of fire access trails which are regularly inspected and maintained. There is regular fuel load reduction around Council owned infrastructure, such as picnic areas, toilets and walking tracks. Council also undertakes other activities such as:

Twice yearly fuel load monitoring to access fire risk in fire blocks;
Installation of reflective markers along walking tracks to aid safe passage along tracks if visibility is reduced;
Closure of areas during extreme fire conditions; and
Provide clear directional signage on tracks and at information bays.

Conservation Estate Map (PDF, 639 kb)

4. Does Council work with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Rural Fire Services?

Council has a close working relationship with both the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS). This includes providing on-ground infrastructure support (such as graders and water tanks) for relevant Rural Fire Brigades as required and on-going support for public fire awareness education.

Council also supports organisations such as the Fire and Biodiversity Consortium. This regional working group undertakes fire research in conjunction with academics at Griffith University, other local councils and QFRS.

5. What can I do on my land if I live near a park or reserve?

As private landowners you are responsible for maintaining your own property, including being prepared for fire. However, the level of fire management required will vary greatly dependent upon size and location of the property, and the types of vegetation on the property.

Rural property owners with bushland on them can also email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au for access to Conservation Partnership Program opportunities including fire and property management planning.

Last Updated 9 Nov 2009 |

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