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Fire Management Plan Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks 21

3.0 The Bush fire environment

3.1 Fire history and frequency

The fire regimes in Sydney since European settlement are very different to those priorto 1788. Fire has been excluded from many areas for long periods of time, while othersburn frequently.

Record keeping of fires in the Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct)National Parks commenced in 1977. Records of fires that occurred before each areawas included in the National Park reserve were gained from anecdotal evidence andnewspaper reports (ERM Mitchell McCotter 1996). Known fire events are listed inManagement Area Profiles (Appendix A), however they should be regarded asindicative only because of the incomplete record. Consequently, fire history maps havenot been included in this plan.

The cause of fires within the Parks is now exclusively related to human activities -camp fires, arson, marine flares, prescribed burns, etc. The ignition points of wildfiresare mostly unrecorded. Records of fire events suggests that ignition is related to theease of public access, certain road and track side points being particularly favoured, forexample Happy Valley at La Perouse, Cobblers Beach at Middle Head and access tracksat Dobroyd Head.

As a result of this planning process, records of all known wildfires and prescribed burnsin the park areas have been collated and stored on the NPWS ArcView GIS Database.Future records will be maintained in the Sydney Region Office, Central Directorate andPARKOPS as per NPWS recording protocols.

3.1.1 Wildfires

Some parts of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parksexperience frequent, usually small scale fires that are deliberately or accidentally lit byhumans, a function of the proximity of the Parks to urban areas. This proximity alsomeans that fires are generally detected quickly and extinguished before they spread.

Middle Head and parts of Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) have experienced thehighest incidence of wildfire. The reserves that have had the largest areas burnt duringsingle fire events are Dobroyd Head (61 ha), Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) (60ha)and Middle Head (45 ha). This can be attributed to the flammable heath vegetationcombined with the steep slopes found in these reserves.

The Harbour islands, Nielsen Park and South Head have had no significant wildfires inat least 30 years. This can be attributed to past management practices such as theremoval of the original vegetation from much of their area, the altered nature of anyremaining vegetation and the rapid suppression of any fire event.

3.1.2 Prescribed burning


Generally there is limited information available about prescribed burns in the variousreserves prior to their inclusion in the Parks. Some areas are known to have been burntto achieve hazard reduction eg. much of Chowder Head and Ashton Park (now BradleysHead) was burnt every couple of years through the late 1960s and early 1970s by thecontrolling authority of the time, Mosman Council.

In recent years a number of prescribed burns have taken place within some reserves aspart of on-going programs of weed control and Bush Regeneration with fuel reductionusually a secondary objective. This procedure, mainly pile burning, has been successfulin aiding the control of bitou bush and the regeneration of native plant species at LaPerouse.

All known prescribed burns are noted in the Fire History section of the ManagementArea Profiles (Appendix A).

3.2 Fire weather

3.2.1 Climate

The climate of the Region is warm temperate. Sydney has a warm and wet Summer-Autumn season and a cool and dry Winter-Spring season.

The mean annual rainfall is 1220mm, with rainfall occurring on average 105 days peryear. The main source of rainfall is storms, mostly from the south (SE-SW) butoccasionally from the north at night. These predominate between January and July,during which time 70% of the annual rainfall occurs.

Mean summer and winter temperatures are 25° C and 16° C respectively. Daily meanmaximum temperature exceeds 30° C on 14 days of the year (between September andApril) and is less than 15° C on only 15 days (April to October).

Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks are affected bysynoptic pressure patterns which govern upper-atmosphere winds. During the summer,north-easterly and easterly winds predominate, bringing moist humid conditions. Winterwinds are from the west and south, resulting in dry to moist conditions (Prior, 1996;Dept. of Meteorology, 1997).

3.2.2 Conditions associated with wildfires

In Sydney wildfires have been more frequent during the months when the evaporationrate exceeds precipitation (September to December) than during the rest of the year, asshown in Figure 3.1.


0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Month

No.

of F

ires

Figure 3.1. Number of wildfires occurring in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay(La Perouse Precinct) National Parks in each calendar month, 1980 -1996.

Extreme fire weather conditions occur when drought conditions coincide with days ofstrong north-westerly winds. This is most likely to occur in this Region in the months ofNovember, December and January.

As ignitions within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) NationalParks are predominantly arson or accidental they may occur at any time of year. There is a greater risk of ignitions during periods of high public usage of the Parks egschool holidays.


3.2.3 Conditions suitable for prescribed burns

A prescribed fire is one that has been planned to achieve a management purpose, eitherthe reduction of fuel levels, for biodiversity management or for experimental purposes.In the majority of cases the type and location of prescribed fire for hazard reductionpurposes will not be the same as that required for conservation purposes (Bradstock andScott, 1995), therefore different prescriptions for different purposes are required.

The most favourable periods for prescribed burning occur when there is:• dry surface fuels (moisture levels of 10-20%) ;• a high level of moisture recovery in fine fuels at night;• a low probability of dry north-westerly winds.

Prescribed burns are predominantly conducted in the spring and autumn months ie.outside the summer fire danger weather period. Weather conditions during these monthscan vary greatly from year to year and planned burns may be delayed due to unsuitableweather. Conditions during winter are usually regarded as being too cool and damp foreffective prescribed burns.

Conroy (pers. comm) recommends spring and late summer as the preferred times forprescribed burning in the Sydney Basin, due to the frequency of atmospherictemperature inversions in autumn which tend to trap smoke close to the ground.Management of smoke must be considered a high priority within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks when planning prescribed burns andliaison is required with many organisations in planning and implementing prescribedburns.

Special Fire Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology andthese will be consulted prior to any prescribed burn taking place.

3.3 Fire behaviour potential

Bushfire behaviour potential is a relative term used to describe the likely behaviour ofany bushfire. The main determinants of fire behaviour are topography, vegetation type,fuel level and arrangement and weather conditions.

The highest bushfire behaviour potential occurs in areas containing heavy loads ofelevated fuels on steep, dry, north to north-westerly facing slopes or exposed elevatedplateaux which are subject to periods of hot, dry, windy weather.

The vegetation of the Parks was mapped by structure and association (Specht 1981).The maps were used for the preparation of strategies for biodiversity conservation andin the computer based modelling of bushfire behaviour potential.

It is possible to combine many of the different vegetation types into major fuel groupsbased on their effect on fire behaviour. The vegetation of the Sydney region has beendescribed as belonging to one of five major fuel groups (Conroy 1998). These are;grassland, shrubland, woodland, open forest and rainforest. The distinction betweentypes is not always clear cut. Fuel levels are assigned to each of these groups for themodelling process.


The vegetation and fuel types are described in Appendix C.

3.4 Damage potential

Damage potential is a term used to describe the likelihood of a bushfire causing damageto an asset.

3.4.1 Threats to human life and property

The potential threat to human life is regarded as the most important of all bushfirethreats and the highest priority is given to the protection of life and adjoining property. Anecdotal evidence suggests that historically little damage to life or adjoining propertyhas been caused through fire in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct)National Parks although considerable potential exists. Residences adjacent to areas ofhigh bushfire potential must be considered as being most vulnerable.

The Reserve boundaries generally have a control line (either the coastline, fence line,trails or slashed areas). The exception to this is the Upper Clifton Gardens. Thesecontrol lines will assist NPWS to prevent fires escaping from the Reserve.

3.4.2 Tourism and recreation.

The National Parks of the Sydney Region provide a significant contribution to theappeal of the area to tourists and tourism is an important component of the economy ofSydney.

Bushfires may threaten recreational values in a number of ways including:• damage or destruction of facilities;• temporary closure of areas during bushfires;• longer term closure of damaged or rehabilitating areas;• alteration of the aesthetic appeal of an area, either temporarily (eg blackened

bushland) or longer term through erosion, etc.;• alteration of vegetation structure and type.

3.4.3 Natural Heritage

Historically fire has been excluded from some areas for many decades while other areashave been burnt every few years. Both extremes eventually lead to a loss of floral (andconsequently faunal) biodiversity. Fire events may influence weed infestations and, iffollowed by a rain event, may lead to erosion problems in some places.

The threat to fauna and flora is less from a single wildfire than it is from inappropriatefire regimes (ie. the combination of fire frequency, fire intensity, season, etc.).

While knowledge of the most suitable fire regimes for particular vegetationcommunities is far from complete there is sufficient evidence to offer broad guidelines.These are outlined in section 4.4.


The preparation of an appropriate Environmental Assessment (in the form of a Reviewof Environmental Factors or an application under the Bush Fire EnvironmentalAssessment Code 2003) prior to any prescribed burn or other fire management worksshould address all possible threats to endangered or vulnerable fauna, plants orcommunities.

3.4.4 Cultural Heritage Bushfires can cause damage to historic sites, either directly or indirectly. It isimperative that the locations of historic and cultural sites be known as far as is possibleto minimise any impacts that fires and fire management can have on them. Historic sitesare listed in Appendix F and in the Management Area Profiles.

Aboriginal heritage sites in the parks are of three broad types.1. Rock engravings - can be affected by high intensity fires causing exfoliation or

splitting of the sandstone surface, or marked by falling trees. 2. Art sites - affected as above, although more vulnerable to damage by exfoliation due

to the thin layer of rock actually pigmented. 3. Shell middens - can be exposed to erosion after fire. Fire management activities can cause damage to heritage items through construction offire trails and helipads, driving of fire vehicles over sites and inappropriately placedcontrol lines.

Timber buildings are especially vulnerable to destruction by fire. Goat Island, RoddIsland, the Quarantine Station and Middle Head all have historically significant timberbuildings that must be protected from fire.


4.0 Fire management

4.1 Fire Management Units

4.1.1 Bushfire Management Areas

Each of the precincts in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct)National Parks has been divided up into Fire Management Areas which have boundariesbased on geographical and infrastructure features. They have been identified asconvenient divisions for descriptive and fire control purposes. They are defined in theFire Management Area Profiles (M.A.P.s), detailed in Appendix A, with accompanyingmaps showing their position within the reserves.

Fire Management Areas are not burning blocks. Prescribed burning may be applied onlyto certain sections of these areas when required.

4.1.2 Bushfire Management Zones

Bushfire Management Zones are defined areas within the Parks for which specific firemanagement objectives and strategies have been developed. Within this plan the Zonesare described within the context of each Management Area and specific information foreach Zone is in the Management Area Profiles (Appendix A). The zones are also shownon the accompanying maps.

The zones used in the Plan are adapted from the fire management zoning policy of theNSW NPWS as defined in the Guidelines for the Preparation of Reserve FireManagement Plans (NPWS 1998). The Coordinating Committee has adopted a similarzoning policy. The NPWS zones will be reflected in the local Bush Fire RiskManagement Plan.

The description and objectives for each Zone, as well as the generalised prescriptionsand methods to be applied to each, are laid out in the table 4.1


Table 4.1 Fire management zones, their objectives and descriptions.

Zone SuppressionObjective

Prevention &MitigationObjectives

Strategies(methods)

Width Comments

AssetProtection(APZ)

To protectresidential areas,crops, plantation,utilities, campingareas, day use areas,urban interface,cultural heritageassets etc

To instigate, whereappropriate,communityeducation andcommunity fireguardprograms

Fuel managed byslashing, selectiveshrub removal,construction ofradiation barriers,trails and burning

Fuel not to exceed 5t/ha

Variableand appliedaccording toslope,aspect,vegetationas well asDBFSguidelines

Shouldoperate inconjunctionwithCommunityFireguard

StrategicFireManagementZone (SFMZ)

To assist in thestrategic control andcontainment ofwildfires

To reduce wildfireintensity andspotting intensity

Promotion of theService’s firemanagement andfuel managementactivities

Fuel managed byburning, slashing,selective shrubremoval,construction ofradiation barriersand trails

Suppress or containfires inconsistentwith the fireprescription

Fuel not to exceed15t/ha

Variable

HeritageAreaManagementZone (HAFMZ)

To apply fireprescriptionsconsistent withbroad areabiodiversityobjectives orrelevant status

Promotion ofawareness of thespecial valuesrequiring protectionin these areas

Fuel managed byburning

Suppress or containfires inconsistentwith the fire regimeprescription

Variable

4.2 Protection of neighbours, visitors and facilities

The majority of the reserves within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La PerousePrecinct) National Park adjoin residential areas or areas with other significant assets egDept. of Defence land.

There are a number of hazard reduction techniques used within the Sydney Region toassist in the reduction of fuel loads. A combination of these techniques is often used toassist in overall fuel management.

• Prescribed burning. This method has been utilised for some time in many places asthe prime method of fuel and hazard reduction. However there are a number ofdrawbacks with this method, particularly in such an densely urbanised environmentas Sydney. Frequent fires are discouraged for biodiversity conservation managementpurposes. Smoke management and the preservation of scenic amenity are other keyconsiderations to the Sydney Region.

• Mechanical works. Hand removal, slashing and mowing of vegetation are all viablealternatives for small areas. They can be effective fuel management tools in theshort and longer term, providing fire protection while maintaining biodiversity andcultural heritage values and avoiding many of the problems of large prescribedburns.


• Pile burns ie. the burning of piles of weeds or other vegetation can help to reducefuel loads on a small scale and promotes the germination of many types of plants.

In the case of an endangered species of plant or situations where burning is difficult theremoval of an area of leaf litter to expose bare soil may successfully promotegermination of seed stored in the soil and avoid the need to burn (Cranny 1999). Inaddition, hand weeding using Bush Regeneration techniques encourages the regrowth ofnative vegetation and minimises the area disturbed, so fewer weeds recolonise the area.

Protection of life and property adjoining Parks can be greatly enhanced by theawareness and preparations of neighbouring residents. Education, through the formationof Community Fireguard Groups with neighbours, the NSW Fire Brigade, localCouncils and other interested parties is recommended. The aim of such groups is toincrease awareness of fire behaviour, assist in its early detection, explain and encouragepractices that will reduce risks to life and property and to increase understanding of theNPWS fire hazard reduction activities.

4.3 Evaluation of current fire regimes

Fire history for the Region is incomplete in as much as accurate locations and extents offire events have not always been recorded. Available data is presented in the FireHistory sections of the M. A. P.s (Appendix A). These will be used to determine, as faras possible, whether biodiversity thresholds have been breached and for determiningfire management strategies.

Many parts of the Parks have experienced few major fires in recent years and mostwildfires have been suppressed quickly, usually before a large area has been burnt.Because of this about half of the reserve areas in this Region have not been burnt formany years, leading to areas of old-age (senescent) vegetation, a rare characteristic inparks around Sydney (Conroy, 1996) eg Nielsen Park, Banksia ericifolia heath at NorthHead. It is likely that biodiversity will be compromised where the fire is excluded forperiods exceeding the thresholds for those communities. This senescent vegetation, withweed invasion (particularly in the understorey) and a marked shift from dry sclerophyllheath and woodland to more mesic plant communities is characteristic of manyvegetation communities in the area.

Some areas of vegetation have burnt frequently in the recent past, primarily as a resultof arson. Fire frequencies for these areas are usually close to or beyond the thresholdsfor those vegetation communities and a loss of biodiversity can be expected, eg parts ofUpper Clifton Gardens, Middle and Dobroyd Heads, and Happy Valley at La Perouse.

All recent prescription burns undertaken have been pile burns involving small areas andhave had only very localised effects on vegetation.

Some parts of the Parks have been adversely affected by a number of other disturbanceevents (eg. stormwater run-off) and fire frequencies beyond the suggested biodiversitythresholds may be of relatively less importance than these other factors.


4.4 Biodiversity conservation

4.4.1 Principles and thresholds

In practical terms, biodiversity conservation is about the prevention of the extinction ofspecies, especially extinctions brought about by the action of humans. An aim of firemanagement within the Parks is to maintain species and community biodiversity. Thisis supported by the objective of keeping the fire regimes of each plant communitywithin the appropriate thresholds for maintenance of biodiversity.

Contemporary ecological research in fire-prone ecosystems of the kind represented inthe Parks has established some general principles about the fire regimes needed to avoidthe extinction of species and thus conserve biodiversity.

1) Groups of plant and animal species respond similarly to fire according to thecharacteristics of their life history (Bradstock, Keith & Auld 1995). Therefore it isusually not necessary to specify individual fire regimes for every species. Therequirements for most plant species can be summarised on the basis of broad groups.Knowledge of requirements for groups of animals is less advanced.

2) Animals and plants are interrelated as plants form an important component of habitatfor animals. Fire management must consider this interaction.

3) A diversity of fire regimes may be needed to maintain native biodiversity. This

means that over time there is a place for fires of high, low and moderate intensity,frequency and size. Extinctions may be likely when fire regimes of relatively fixedintensity, frequency and extent prevail without interruption.

4) For some groups of biota, thresholds separating desirable and undesirable fire

regimes for conservation can be defined. Management should therefore be targetedtoward desirable fire regimes using these thresholds as a guide. Assessment of fireregimes through mapping of the locality and characteristics of all fires occurringwill be ongoing so that fire regimes can be regularly reviewed, refined and adjusted.Depending on the circumstances (a function of community type and prevailing fireregimes) there may be a role for both prescribed fire and/or fire exclusion in parts ofany given reserve.

The inter-relationships between vegetation and fauna and fire cannot be over-emphasised, as each has both immediate and lasting effects on the other.

4.4.2 Major Floral Communities

The major plant associations found within the Sydney Harbour and Botany region arelisted in Appendix B. The sites where these associations occur are listed in theManagement Area Profiles and have been mapped on the NPWS GIS database.

Those associations were grouped into broad communities based on Benson and Howellsclassification (Benson & Howell 1994). Table 4.2 shows the biodiversity thresholds for


fire frequencies in these communities. These thresholds should be used as a guide in thedevelopment of fire management strategies.

Table 4.2 Biodiversity thresholds for fire frequencies for the Broad VegetationGroups found in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) NationalParks.(based on Bradstock, Keith and Auld (1995), Bradstock, pers. comm.)VegetationCommunity

Broad VegetationGrouping

Decline in biodiversity predicted if:

Coastal SandstoneHeath&Coastal Dune Heath

Shrubland -HeathComplex

(VEG TYPE A)

• more than two successive fires occur at lessthan 8 years apart.

• more than two successive fires occur atintervals of more than 15 years apart.

• there are no fires for more than 30 years.

Sydney SandstoneRidgetop Forest&Coastal Dune Forest

Dry ForestComplex

(VEG TYPE B)

• more than two successive fires occur at lessthan 5 years apart.

• there are no fires for more than 30 years.

Sydney SandstoneGully Forest

Wet SclerophyllForest

(VEG TYPE C)

• successive fires, of any intensity, occur lessthan 50 years apart.

• no high intensity fire occurs for 100-200 years.

CoastalFreshwater Swamp

Wetlands

(VEG TYPE D)• any fire event occurs.

A variable fire regime within the above thresholds is required to avoid species decline, and this requiresvarying fire frequency, intensity, season and pattern of burn.

A number of communities occur in some of the Harbourside reserves where the nativeplant Pittosporum undulatum (Sweet Pittosporum) has become the dominant species,sometimes in association with Glochidion ferdinandii (Cheese Tree). Thesecommunities are referred to in the M.A.P.s but not considered in the vegetationcommunities listed above. They are discussed further in Section 4.7.


4.4.3 Threatened species of flora

The threatened plant species likely to require a high level of management during a fireevent are listed in table 4.3. Complete information is not available for all of thesespecies and the information presented is the current state of knowledge.

Table 4.3 Biodiversity thresholds for fire frequencies for the ROTAP speciesfound in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks.

Scientific Name Treatments

Acacia terminalissub.sp terminalis (Endangered)

− Killed by high intensity fires (100% scorch), resprouts after low intensity fire − Primary juvenile period 3-6 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 50 years− Recruitment of new plants is by germination from soil seed bank after fire− Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’

Allocasuarinaportuensis (Endangered)

− Appears to be fire sensitive, obligate seed regenerator.− Primary juvenile period 5 years or more, lifespan / seedbank unknown (NPWS

1999)− Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’

Eucalyptuscamfieldii(Vulnerable)

− Plant establishes only in mature community, not after disturbance− Survives 100% scorch, resprouts from lignotuber and buds after fire− Primary juvenile period unknown, lifespan / seedbank over 100 years

Gonocarpussalsoloides(ROTAP)

− Killed by 100% scorch, obligate seed regenerator− Primary juvenile period is 1-3 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 30 years− Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’

Platysacestephensonii(ROTAP)

− Probably resprouts after low intensity fires− Primary juvenile period unknown, lifespan / seedbank up to 10 years− Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’

Rulingiahermanniifolia(ROTAP)

− Killed by 100% scorch, obligate seed regenerator− Primary juvenile period 2 years, lifespan / seedbank up to 10 years− Germinates vigorously after fire− Thresholds probably correspond to vegetation community Type ‘A’

Where fire regime requirements for the species listed above are known and differ fromthe regime to be applied to the surrounding vegetation, site-specific fire managementstrategies will be prepared to improve the viability of the local population.

The occurrence of any of these species in a reserve is listed in the relevant Management Area Profile.

The endangered plant, Allocasuarina portuensis, has been recorded only in NielsenPark. At present only two female plants survive from the original population. Numbersof seedlings have been planted throughout the reserve, however the genetic integrity ofthese seedlings is still under investigation. It is possible that altered fire regimes haveaffected the populations of this Allocasuarina species. Research into the effects of fireon the species and it’s recruitment has been advised in the Recovery Plan (NPWS1999).


4.4.4 Threatened Flora Communities

The ecological community known as Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) wasformerly widespread between Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, covering about 7000hectares (Benson & Howell 1990). Approximately 40 hectares still exists in a number ofscattered patches throughout North Head and La Perouse Precinct, the largest being inJennifer Street Lands in Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park. ESBS waslisted on Schedule 1, Part 3 of the TSC Act in 1997 as an endangered ecologicalcommunity and a recovery plan is in preparation. It’s biodiversity thresholds for fireappear to correspond to vegetation type A (ref. Table 4.2) (Benson, pers. comm.,Hirschfeld, pers. comm.)

A number of other vegetation communities within the Parks are considered to beregionally significant as they are now uncommon or endangered in the Sydney area,although more common elsewhere. They include wetlands, ephemeral and permanent,(Botany Bay & North Head) and old age Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia (HeathBanksia) heath at North Head. These communities are listed in the relevant AreaProfiles.

4.4.5 Fauna

The Parks of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) are small,fragmented remnants of the original vegetation communities and provide limitedresources for the survival of fauna. Many species that were present prior to Europeansettlement have disappeared.

Changes that disadvantage species quickly reduce populations and the isolated nature ofmost of the Parks means that there is limited opportunity for movement of animals backinto an area, leading to local extinction.

While fire may be a direct cause of death to animals through heat the greatest effect iscaused by changes to habitat and the availability of food, shelter and breeding sites. It isnecessary to maintain a diversity of vegetation cover and structure to conserve viableanimal populations. Thus it is important that any individual fire, or combination of fireswithin a short period of time, should not completely burn the local extent of anyvegetation community. Generally, any broad scale fire event is to be avoided.

4.4.6 Threatened species of faunaA number of threatened species of migratory birds have been recorded in the Parks butare not discussed here as their mobility will generally allow them to escape fire eventsor their preferred habitat is unlikely to be affected by fire.

The remnant populations and species that are likely to require either protection from ora high level of management during fire are listed below.

Table 4.4 Threatened Fauna Species found in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay(La Perouse Precinct) National Parks.


Scientific Name Treatments Chelonia mydas Green Turtle(Vulnerable)

− Unlikely to be affected by fire

Crinia tinnula Wallum Froglet(Vulnerable)

− Low intensity fire is believed to have little impact on this species− Fire is likely to have an impact on this species if critical habitat is damaged or

removed− An increase in the fire frequency may cause a build up of sediments in small

ponds used for breeding, and also reduce the dense nature of the surroundingcoastal heathland vegetation used as habitat

Eudyptula minorLittle Penguin(Endangered)

− Feeds in bays and coastal seas. Breeds on rocky cliff bases & vegetated sand dunes− Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat – fire likely to be detrimental to

this species (removal of important habitat used for breeding) Haematopusfuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher(Vulnerable)

− Adults and habitat unlikely to be impacted by low to moderate intensity fires(unless fire comes in close proximity to breeding individuals)

− Avoid fire, especially high intensity fires within habitat during the breedingseason (October to January)

Haematopuslongirostris Pied Oystercatcher(Vulnerable)

− Fire unlikely to impact on adults due to the species largely foraging withinunvegetated habitat

− Protect undisturbed sandy beaches used for breeding and estuarine flats for feedingfrom fire

Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot(Endangered)

− Maintain a mosaic of age classes within habitat− Avoid frequent, high intensity burns within known / potential habitat− Avoid fire within known habitat during the breeding season (September to

December)− Burns should be of low intensity so as not to reduce the abundance of wintering

flowering eucalypts or reduce the flowers available to the species

Litoria aurea Green and GoldenBell Frog(Endangered)

− Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat during the summer breedingseason

− Avoid the use of foams / retardants within 100 metres of potential / known habitat− Avoid high intensity fires within / adjacent to known habitat to avoid siltation of

breeding areas Macronectesgiganteus Southern Giant Petrel(Endangered)

− Fire unlikely to affect this species

Miniopterusshreibersii Common Bent WingBat(Vulnerable)

− No burning or slashing around maternity caves− Avoid fire and smoke within known habitat during the breeding season (Oct -

Nov)− Avoid burning 100% of known foraging habitat to avoid loss of diversity and

number of prey – mosaic burn Neochmia ruficauda Star Finch(Endangered)

− Inhabits tall grass adjacent to swamps and rivers− Avoid fire within known or potential habitat

Ninox strenua Powerful Owl(Vulnerable)

− Avoid frequent, high intensity fires within known habitat. Infrequent high intensityfire may promote nest and roost sites development (hollows), however, fewrecords of this species occurs within recently burnt areas (< 5 years – limited data)

− Frequent, low intensity fires may simplify habitat structure and reduce theabundance of mammal prey

− Avoid fire within known roost locations (tree hollows) during the breeding season(mid autumn to mid winter) – heat and smoke may impact on nestlings

Perameles nasuta Long-nosedBandicoot(Endangered pop’n atNorth Head)

− Requires dense vegetation for diurnal shelter− Low intensity, mosaic burn (1-3ha) may be implemented within known habitat− Avoid high intensity fires within known habitat in order to minimise loss of

important foraging habitat and vegetative protection from predators − Avoid multiple fire events of less than 10 years within known habitat


Pseudophryneaustralis Red-crowned Toadlet(Vulnerable)

− Avoid fire within and adjacent to known habitat – opportunistic breeder, thereforeminimise disturbance all year round

− Avoid the use of foams / retardants within 100 metres of potential / known habitat− Avoid high intensity fires within and adjacent to known habitat to avoid siltation of

breeding areas− Avoid use of earthmoving machinery within known habitat

Pteropuspoliocephalus Grey-headed FlyingFox(Vulnerable)

− Avoid fire (smoke and heat) around roost trees, within known habitat (gullies anddense vegetation), especially during the breeding season (March to October)

− Avoid burning 100% of known foraging habitat to avoid loss of diversity (foragefor flowering and fruiting plants) – mosaic burn

− No slashing, trittering or tree removal within known habitat Ptilinopus superbus Superb Fruit Dove(Vulnerable)

− Fire unlikely to affect this species if fire regimes do not further fragment ordecrease the size of the remaining habitat

− High intensity fires should be avoided in areas within / adjacent to known habitat

Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern(Vulnerable)

− Adults and beach / dune habitat unlikely to be impacted by fire− Low to moderate intensity fires may encourage regrowth of vegetation suitable for

nesting, however, high intensity fires would be detrimental to this species in thebreeding season (Spring, Autumn)

Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater(Endangered)

− Avoid high intensity fires within known locations− Avoid burning known habitat from July to December (breeding / habitation period)− Avoid removal of suitable feeding and nesting trees (Eucalyptus fibrosa, mistletoe

clumps and Casuarina sp).

Pseudophryne australis (Red-crowned Toadlets): This species inhabits ephemeral drainage lines on Bradleys Head. Fire in its habitat willseriously affect this species and should be excluded at present. Other impacts occurthrough fire trail and drain construction and maintenance which can lead to siltation ofbreeding areas and the addition of extra nutrients to waterways such as mulch and bluemetal from roads and trails (Thumm, 1997). A regime of low intensity fires not less than 10 years apart is preferable for this species.

Parameles nasuta (Long-nosed bandicoots): The population of these animals living on North Head has been listed under theThreatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as an endangered population. This speciesrelies on vegetative cover for provision of shelter, food and protection from predators,such as dogs and cats. The loss of cover as a result of fuel management practises couldexpose this species to predation and reduce its available foraging habitat to criticallevels.

Miniopterus schreibersii (Common Bent-wing Bat): This species is known to overwinter May to October) in the forts at Middle Head andHenry Head and may occasionally use other sites. Although protected within theconcrete forts from the direct effects of fire, smoke and heat may affect them.

As with threatened species of vegetation, site-specific fire management strategies forthreatened species of fauna will be prepared which will take precedence over the regimeto be applied to the surrounding vegetation.

A number of other species occur in the Parks that are considered to be significant asthey are now uncommon or endangered in the Sydney area although more commonelsewhere. They include Cacophis squamulosus (Golden Crowned Snake) andHydromys chryogaster (Water-rat) at Bradleys Head, Physignathus lesueurii (EasternWater Dragon) at Middle Head and Cyclodomorphus casuarinae (Oak Skink) at LaPerouse.


4.4.7 Fire regime strategies for biodiversity conservationThe aim of fire management for conservation is to minimise the loss of species fromreserves in the reserves by maintaining fire frequencies for each vegetation communityand threatened species within their biodiversity thresholds.

Managers should refer to the Management Area Profiles and Table 4.1 to find thebiodiversity thresholds for each vegetation community in each Area of the reserves andthe known fire history for those communities. The fire regime for each community willbe maintained within the biodiversity thresholds, as far as is possible.

In areas where fire frequency has been high and the biodiversity thresholds are likely tohave been exceeded fire will be excluded.

In areas that have not experienced fire for a period that exceeds the biodiversitythresholds they will be burnt. The small areas of many of the vegetation communitiespresent will generally require that any prescribed burns will involve only a portion ofany vegetation community so that a mosaic of different age groups is created. This needto avoid burning all of a vegetation community at any one time may require that someparts of that community are allowed to go beyond their biodiversity thresholdstemporarily.

4.4.8 Distribution of biodiversity in fire management zones

Regard will be given to the vegetation communities in the fuel reduced zones (SAMZsand APZs). In a small number of cases the majority of a vegetation type within a reserveoccurs within a fuel reduced zone. Examples are Banksia Scrub at North Head (NH4),and Corymbia punctata Woodland (BH3) and Kunzea Heath (BH8) at Bradleys Head.When fuel reduction is necessary to bring the levels within the prescriptions given in theM.A.P.s the method employed will be chosen to minimise damage to the community (ie loss of biodiversity) while achieving the fuel reduction goal, eg. hand removal ofleaf litter and other fine fuel may be more appropriate than slashing or burning.

4.4.9 Effects of fire suppression activities on biodiversity

Some activities involved in the control of wildfire in a reserve may adversely impact onfloral and faunal communities there eg. construction of control lines, use of heavymachinery, use of fire retardant chemicals, etc. This potential damage should be avoidedwherever possible. Table 4.4 details operational guidelines to be implemented during allbushfire operations.

4.5 Fire and Pest Species Management

Pest management will be a part of rehabilitation plans.

Fire can provide conditions that favour some weed species. The ‘clearing’ effect of fireprovides an ideal situation in which to carry out follow-up weeding. A weedingprogram should be considered as a mandatory follow-up to any prescribed burn activityand as highly desirable following wildfire. This will be carried out by methods


appropriate to the circumstances, usually hand weeding of seedlings and resproutingplants during the period 3 to 9 months after the fire.

Long periods without fire events may favour certain species. Pittosporum undulatum(Sweet Pittosporum) is a fire sensitive endemic plant which is colonising areas wherepreviously it was restricted by the frequency of fires (Clark and McLoughlin, 1986). Insome areas of Sydney Harbour National Park, notably Clark Island, parts of BradleysHead and Nielsen Park, it is becoming the dominant species. Its dense canopy reducesthe diversity of under- and mid-storey species and the alteration in vegetation is usuallyreferred to as mesic change. While continued regimes of general fire exclusion willfavour Pittosporum the control of this species by fire must be considered as only one ofthe issues in determining management strategies for these sites. Alternatives such asselective weeding or small scale prescription burns as part of Bush Regenerationprograms may be more appropriate.

Frequent low-intensity burns are thought to favour feral mammalian species by reducingthe density of the understorey vegetation, allowing easier access and by reducing theamount of protective cover available for native species to avoid predation.

4.6 Cultural Heritage

4.6.1 Aboriginal heritage

The following strategies are required for the protection of Aboriginal sites in the Parks:• procedures to ensure that the location of Aboriginal sites and their vulnerability to

fire are known to fire managers.• preparation of an environmental assessment prior to any prescribed burning to

determine the effects on any Aboriginal sites.• during all fire suppression operations the register of locations of Aboriginal sites is

to be readily available to the fires Incident Management Team.• Suppression activities will be used that avoid damage to Aboriginal heritage.• all post fire reports are to consider the effects of fire on Aboriginal sites and where

necessary recommend ameliorative action.

In the event that a previously unknown Aboriginal site is revealed by fire, immediatearchaeological assessment is to be undertaken and the appropriate land councils and/orcommunity group notified. The Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council encompassesthe majority of Sydney Harbour National Park and La Perouse Land Council coversBotany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park and parts of Sydney Harbour NationalPark (Nielsen Park and South Head).Further operational guidelines are given in Table 4.4.

4.6.2 Historic Heritage

Protection of the diverse historical heritage of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (LaPerouse Precinct) National Parks is of a high priority. Management practices to reducefuel loads are to consider any damage that may result to historic sites either directly orindirectly. In the event of a wildfire, suppression activities will be used that avoiddamage to historic heritage.


The historic assets within the Parks are listed in Appendix F and within the relevantManagement Area Profile.

Further operational guidelines are given in Table 4.4.

4.7 Smoke Management

Section 133 of the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 states that theEnvironmental Protection Authority has the power to declare a no-burn period,therefore liaison with the Authority when planning a prescribed burn is essential.

The entire Sydney Region is a smoke sensitive area, as smoke has the potential to affectlocal residents, hospitals, retirement villages, schools and air quality as well asvisibility for road, air and harbour traffic.

Smoke management is the application of knowledge of fire behaviour andmeteorological processes to minimise air quality degradation during prescribed fires(Conroy 1994). The Sydney Region will adopt the following smoke managementguidelines (Conroy 1996) to reduce emissions from any prescribed burn.• Environmental conditions are assessed prior to a prescribed burn as to their

suitability to carry smoke away from urban areas .• Burning to be carried out during times of low fuel moisture content to minimise

smoke emissions. This may involve burning during drier periods of the year wheremore resources have to be directed to containment strategies.

• If possible, avoid burning during times of year when smoke will adversely impacton outdoor leisure and recreation activities (eg. School holidays and during specialevents).

• Neighbours and residents of sensitive areas within the air catchment are notifiedwell in advance of prescribed burns and are requested to assist with removingaccumulated debris.

• Managers of hospitals and retirement villages within the area to be well informed ofproposed burns and wildfires.

• Debris is removed from bushland areas (eg, tyres, dumped rubbish etc) before burnsare commenced.

• Prescribed burns are implemented to ensure the proficient use of backing fires (ie.moderate to high intensity but with low rates of spread) as an operational techniqueto control smoke emissions.

• Aggressive mop-up of fires is implemented to minimise the smouldering stage ofsuppression.

• Alternative hazard and risk management techniques to be used where possible.• Maintaining a close liaison with the Environmental Protection Authority and the

Bureau of Meteorology.

4.8 Summary of Operational guidelines

Table 4.4 lists operational guidelines to be implemented during all bushfire operations,including wildfires and prescribed fires. These guidelines aim to protect the natural andcultural values of the Parks.

Table 4.4 Operational Guidelines


Area / Resource Operational GuidelinesVegetation communitieswhere fire has been morefrequent than theminimum fire frequencythreshold

Minimise the burn area.

Vegetation communitieswhere fire has been lessfrequent than themaximum fire frequencythreshold

Maximise the burn area with consideration given to:• maintaining a mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas• keeping behaviour fire within controllable parameters• consultation with neighbours

Aboriginal and historicsites

• Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on thelocation of sites and required control line route.

• If possible protect all sites from damage.• Check for unknown sites during and after operations.

Threatened flora • Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on thelocation of sites and required control line route.

• Check for unknown locations of threatened flora during operations. • Protect populations or individuals from burn area if the fire

frequency thresholds are exceeded or the fire response category ofthe species is obligate seeder or unknown.

Threatened fauna • Brief all personnel involved in control line construction on thelocation of sites and required control line routes.

• Check for unknown locations of threatened fauna during operations.• If possible, protect habitat area from burn if the effects of the

resulting fire frequency, season or intensity will have a significantimpact or are unknown.

Heavy machinery • Can only be used with consent of NPWS and only if the probabilityof success is considered high

• As far as possible, restrict use to routes and other previouslydisturbed areas

• Known threatened species locations and cultural heritage sites mustnot be disturbed and all personnel involved in control lineconstruction must be briefed on threatened species and culturalheritage site locations

• The route to be taken should be checked for heritage items prior touse of machinery, preferably by a specialist officer

Fire fighting chemicals • Wetting and foaming agents are permitted for use in bushfire control.Exclude the use of wetting or foaming agents within 20 metres of awatercourse or dam. Repeated use in an area is to be avoided.

• The use of retardants will be avoided where alternatives areavailable. Their use is not considered to be appropriate in areas withlow nutrient soils. If used the procedures in the NPWS FireManagement Manual will be followed .

Use of salt water If fresh water is unavailable for direct attack the limited use of salt wateris considered to be acceptable. Knowledge of the impacts of the use ofsalt water for fire suppression on vegetation is largely anecdotal but itsrepeated use in any one area is to be avoided (Bradstock pers. comm.). Itsuse in some areas, ie. Red Crowned Toadlet habitat, is to be avoided if atall possible. The impacts of salt water are identified as a high priority forresearch and monitoring.

Backburning • As far as possible, backburning should take account of threatenedspecies and cultural heritage guidelines

• On days when the fire danger > High, as far as possible, delaybackburning until late afternoon - early evening when thetemperature is decreasing and the humidity is increasing

• Backburning may be safely undertaken during the day when the firedanger < Moderate

Smoke management Prescribed burning and back burning operations will have regard to the


best practice guidelines (see Section 4.6)Visitor control The Parks may be closed due to conditions which create an extreme fire

danger or during fire fighting operations.

4.8.1 Fuel management

Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park’s key fuelmanagement strategies will be mechanical fuel removal at the urban interface and thecombination of mechanical fuel removal, ecological (pile) burns and prescribed burnswhen native plant regeneration is required. These strategies will reduce significantly therisk of property threat from wildfire and escaped hazard reduction burns, assist in nativeplant regeneration, weed removal and ensure maintenance of the precincts biologicaldiversity while reducing smoke emissions.

Fire management practices will consider weed control after works, sedimentation anderosion control, sustainability value of remaining unburnt vegetation for fauna, effectsof fire and smoke on residents, maintenance of biological diversity and the overallmanagement effectiveness of the practice.

4.8.2 Fire prevention

4.8.2.1 General

Fire prevention will be achieved through the following actions:• fuel reduction programs where necessary in the designated APZs and SFMZs;• high levels of surveillance activities within the parks during periods of severe fire

weather (see Appendix 1);• the implementation of park fire bans as appropriate during extreme fire danger

periods;• public education programs and participation in Community Fireguard.

Within the Parks open fires are not permitted. Visitors may bring and use their own gasbarbecues. Heat bead fires are not permitted at any time.

4.8.2.2 Total fire ban and Park fire ban days The conditions under which a total fire ban is declared are: ‘If the Minister is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the interests ofpublic safety to do so’ which would include the prevailing and forecast weatherconditions, and the current fire activity. Park Fire Ban Days are declared if - The Regional Manager (RM) considers that there is a risk to the safety of visitorsor property - there are active fires in the reserve - a Total Fire Ban has been declared in an adjoining weather district - Fire Danger Index is +24, and Drought Index is KBDI +100 or SDI +80. When a Total or Park Fire Ban is in force (or forecast), the following procedures will beundertaken for the prevention of, and preparation for, a bush fire event:


1. The Senior Duty Officer(SDO)/Fire Management Officer will notify all Regional

Staff including Visitor Centres staff, Area Managers and Field Supervisors of the current or predicted situation and the consequent restrictions. 2. During Total and Park Fire Bans notices will be exhibited at: Sydney Harbour National Park; -• Bradleys Head - Park entrance on Bradleys Head Rd. and the west and east ends of

the walking track.• Middle Head - Main gate, Middle Head forts, Cobblers Beach track and intersection

of Chowder Bay Rd. • Dobroyd Head - Walking tracks from Ogilvy Rd and Beatty St., Cutler Rd lookout

and on NPWS sign at Tania Park.• North Head - On North Head Scenic Drive (at the stone archway) and the start of

Blue Fish Point Rd.• Nielsen Park - Steel Point Rd boom gate, Greycliffe Ave gate, Bottle and Glass

Loop road entrance. • South Head - Camp Cove Beach staircase (entrance to Heritage Trail). Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park; -• Entrance to Cape Banks Road (aka Golf Course Rd), top of Congwong Beach stairs

and at entrance to Cable Station Loop road on south-west corner. 3. The Regional Office will be staffed from 0830 to 1630 hours. 4. A minimum of one slip-on crew of two persons within each Area will be placed on immediate response standby. This crew is to be on patrol duties within the relevant Area.

5. All Regional staff will remain within pager, telephone or radio contact while rostered on, or on stand-by. 6. Regional staff may be required to remain on duty until released by the RM. 7. Walking tracks and fire trails will be closed to group activities. 8. Regional staff should consider requesting media contacts to broadcast the potential dangers of bushwalking. The Regional Operations Co-ordinator or Fire Management Officer will make everyeffort to advise the following of a Reserve Fire Ban:• the SDO;• all staff within the reserve;• relevant fire authorities;• relevant public utilities;• relevant concessionaries;• relevant media agencies; and• NPWS Head Office Information Centre.


All reasonable efforts will be made to display notices at the entrances or at appropriateplaces within the Reserves stating the fire bans, closures and cancellations of activitiesthat may be in force.

4.8.2.3 Closure of service areas The decision to declare a reserve closure or to cancel activities will be determined bythe RM. The decision will be based on:• there is a Total Fire Ban in force and• the SDO considers after an assessment of the fuel conditions, there is an

unacceptable risk to the safety of visitors and• there is an active fire in or adjacent to the reserve or• Fire Danger Index is greater than 24, KBDI is over 100 or fire behaviour predictions

indicate a very high to extreme fire danger. Closure of an area must be considered seriously in the event of a Class 2 wildfire. • The RM or SDO can cancel visitor activities within the reserve. • The RM or SDO will inform the Directorate Manager Operations Support Co-

ordinator, the Information Centre at Head Office and neighbours of any closures.

In the event of emergency closure an area may be patrolled by aerial reconnaissance todetermine the presence of visitors.

4.8.2.4 Arson

‘Arson’ is currently defined as ‘the deliberate ignition of any property or land with theintent to maliciously destroy or damage it, or with the intent to endanger the life ofanother person.

It is suspected that this definition was not strictly applied in the past. Older records haverecorded fire type as arson where initial cause of fire is unclear but known to be ofhuman origin. The following types of ignitions are likely to have been included in thiscategory:• accidental escapes of small fires such as campfires;• dumping and torching of cars (particularly a problem in the past at Botany Bay NP);• deliberate arson as defined above.

Strategies to prevent these types of ignitions can include:

Ignition type Strategyaccidental escapes of small fires education programs for park users such as

picnickers, fisherman and illegal campers.

burning of motor vehicles restrictions on access (such as gating trails),patrols, surveillance of likely dump sites.

‘arson’ Surveillance, targeted policing, increased patrolsand park closure on high fire danger days, vandalproof gates.


Determining appropriate strategies to manage arson in any particular reserve is difficultbecause:• the definition of arson has been too broad to accurately categorise all the ignition

events;• effective management strategies differ between ignition types.

Future recording of ignition causes will allow appropriate selection of managementstrategies as patterns become clearer in specific areas.

4.8.3 Fire Detection

The primary means of fire detection has been through the vigilance of neighbours. Thissituation is likely to continue. NPWS staff will also be involved in fire detectionactivities through regular patrols of the Parks on days of high fire danger. The NSWFire Brigades also alert the relevant NPWS Region to the occurrence of fires that occuron the Parks when they have received that information via “OOO” emergency calls.

4.8.4 Fire Suppression

All NPWS fire operations will be conducted within the guidelines of the Regional Planof Operations and the managerial framework of the ICS.

Upon report and confirmation of a fire every effort will be made by NPWS to stage arapid first attack. However other fire authorities may be first to arrive at a fire incident. NPWS will also provide assistance with fire fighting on adjoining land where possibleand especially if a fire is believed to present a threat to the Parks.

4.8.5 Guidelines for cooperative fire fighting arrangements

Fire suppression within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct)National Parks is undertaken via a cooperative agreement between the NSW FireBrigades (FB) and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Thisagreement is currently being formalised through a Memorandum of Understandingbetween both agencies.

Under the Rural Fires Act, 1997, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is a fireauthority with statute responsibility for fuel management and fire suppression on itslands. However, Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parkslie within numerous Fire Districts, therefore, the NSW Fire Brigades are principallyresponsible for the suppression of all fires within both Parks. The NPWS provides animportant fire management support role to the NSW Fire Brigades in fire suppressionwithin the Parks.

When the NSWFB and NPWS Memorandum of Understanding into Co-ordinated FireFighting Arrangements have been finalised and agreed to, these arrangements will befollowed.


5.0 Fire Management Assets

These are man-made features that are an advantage to fire management.

5.1 Fire management access

Fire management trails includes all roads, vehicular trails and walking tracks that can beused for fire management and fire control operations. Due to the small size of thereserves in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks, fewvehicular tracks are present. There are a number of walking tracks throughout thereserves.

Appendix E lists the fire management trails and roads that will be maintained orconstructed during the life of this plan. Roads and trails within the reserves will beclassified according to the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee’s Policy 1/03‘Classification of Fire Trails’ (see Appendix D).

A detailed trail register is maintained in Sydney Region, and describes vehicularaccessibility, condition and actions required on the trail during fire suppressionoperations.

5.2 Fire Management Utilities

Fire management utilities are infrastructure that assist in the detection and control ofwildfires, and assist in fire management operations. This includes dams, watering pointsand helipads. These are listed in the Management Area Profiles.

The NPWS vehicles and fire fighting equipment located in Sydney Region are listed inthe Regions’ Incident Management Procedures Manual. The majority of permanent andsome temporary NPWS staff are bushfire trained with key staff also being trained in theIncident Control System.

5.3 Fire Management Facilities

The Service has fully equipped workshops at Nielsen Park, La Perouse and theQuarantine Station.A pre-fire season check and maintenance will occur for all Service plant and firefighting equipment to ensure its reliability and preparedness. Pre-season fire trainingdays will be used to check equipment and increase preparedness.


6.0 Works schedule

6.1 Biodiversity works schedule

6.1.1 Fire management research

Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park has a number ofissues that would benefit from specific research projects. They are:

• The spread of Pittosporum undulatum into areas not previously colonised by thisspecies is a problem occurring in many parts of Sydney (Clark and McLoughlin1986). It is a matter of priority to instigate a research program to assess and monitorthe effects fire has on this species;

• Allocasuarina portuensis - This plant is in critical danger of becoming extinct. Fire

management for this species to be discussed with the Allocasuarina portuensisspecies recovery team who will recommend best practise management for fireregimes for this species. Regular monitoring of plant health is to be carried out.

• Dieback is a problem in a few areas of Sydney Harbour National Park, particularly

Bradleys Head. This condition could be caused by a number of factors (disease,absence of fire, age) and requires a research program to be instigated to identify therole of fire;

• The impacts of the use of salt water for fire suppression on vegetation; • The effect of long intervals without fire on vegetation and fauna.

6.1.2 Fire mapping and database management

All fire events that occur within the Parks will be mapped and recorded on the GISdatabase and relevant Management Area Profile(s) in the master Fire Management Plan.Any additional information on past fire events that comes to light will be similarlyrecorded.

6.1.3 Monitoring fuel

Fuel loads for each Reserve will be assessed by Visual Assessment Method. This willbe carried out at the beginning and end of each fire season within Asset Protection andStrategic Fire Management Zones.

These assessments will periodically be reviewed against physical measurement of fuelloads by the quadrant technique (oven weighing method). It is essential that monitoring of proposed fire regimes and their success in achieving themanagement objectives is carried out. Measurements of fuel levels is to be conductedafter any burn in the Asset Protection and Strategic Fire Management Zones by a VisualAssessment method.


6.1.4 Monitoring fire regimes and changes to biodiversity

Monitoring the responses of plant and animal communities to fire is essential toestablish whether management criteria are being met. Rangers should monitor burnsites for natural regeneration and note species type and numbers using marked quadratsin representative areas of vegetation. Plants of threatened species should be taggedprior to burns and monitored afterwards to assess any impacts. Records of theseobservations must be kept.

6.2 Operations works schedule

Areas that are identified from the M.A.P.s as having inter-fire intervals greater than thebio-diversity thresholds may be selected for prescribed ecological burns during the lifeof this Plan in order to minimise the loss of biodiversity. These areas are at BradleysHead (BH 4,5,6,7,8), parts of Upper Clifton Gardens, Middle Head (MH 2,3,4), Heathat North Head (NH 2,3,4,5), Nielsen Park (NP 1,4 and 5) and Botany Bay N.P. (BBNP5 and 10). The prescribed burns may be pile burns or broader scale fires. If further fireevents have occurred in an area since the time of writing of the Plan no ecological burnmay be required. Fuel reduction in APZs and SFMZs will be carried out as fuel levels approach the upperlimits indicated in the M.A.P.s. This will be achieved by mechanical means in theAPZs. Prescribed burns are permitted as an additional method of fuel reduction in someSFMZs eg Bradleys Head (BH 1,2,4,5,6 and 7), Middle Head (MH 1,2 and 3), NorthHead (NH 2), Nielsen Park (NP 4), South Head (SH 1) and Botany Bay N.P. (BBNP 6,7and 9). Preferred timing of prescribed burns will depend on prevailing weather conditions andunplanned fire events. Individual burn plans containing details of objectives and prescriptions will be preparedprior to prescribed burns.

6.3 Infrastructure works schedule

6.3.1 Fire management access

The fire control lines, including trails, will be slashed prior to the fire season andcleared of any fallen timber which may impede access for fire control vehicles.Drainage and/or earth works necessary to maintain access will be completed as requiredsubject to environmental constraints. All gates, locks, keys, and track signage will bechecked and repaired or replaced if necessary before the fire season. The RegionalOperations Co-ordinator will ensure that maps showing track names are current andcirculated to Area Offices and the relevant NSW Fire Brigade Zone Commanders.


6.3.2 Fire management utilities

The continued maintenance of all vehicles and fire fighting equipment is imperative tothe success of any fire incident. All Fire Management Facilities are detailed in theSydney Region Incident Management Procedures Manual.

Prior to the fire season, field staff will ensure that access to, and extraction from, allwatering points is possible and to a standard suitable for the rapid refill of fire controlvehicles. Radio communication equipment will be checked prior to the fire season andattention paid to the adequacy of portable units including batteries and rechargers. Theavailability and condition of fire suppression equipment will be checked andshortcomings rectified.

6.3.3 Fire management facilities

A pre-fire season check and maintenance will occur for all Service plant and firefighting equipment to ensure its reliability and preparedness. Pre-season fire trainingdays will be used to check equipment and increase preparedness.

6.4 Fire prevention and education

Due to the highly urban nature of the reserves a high degree of neighbour involvementand co-operation is required. To this end, this plan recommends the establishment ofCommunity Fireguard Groups, to assist in the education of park neighbours in fireawareness, property protection and arson detection.


7.0 Plan administration

7.1 Management of works

This plan identifies all fire management works that will be undertaken over the next fiveyears. Area Managers will develop an annual maintenance works program listing allpark management works to be conducted within Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay (LaPerouse Precinct) National Parks. Fire management works will be included in thisprogram.

The performance of the works will be monitored by the Regional Manager, SydneyRegion. An annual report on the works will be completed and submitted to NPWSRegional Manager, Director Central and NSW Fire Brigades.

7.2 Environmental assessment of scheduled works

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be prepared for activities describedwithin this Fire Management Plan. The EIA will be prepared according to the generalguidelines ‘Is an EIS Required’ prepared by the NSW Department of Planning (1995)(as amended by the NPWS)

The relevant sections of the EIA will be forwarded to the Sydney Regional Manger forDetermination.

7.3 Monitoring fire management research

The NPWS has been active in research into the ecological effects of fire on bothvegetation and fauna. This research has provided information on the responses ofdifferent vegetation types to fire and how to maximise the benefits to both the land andthe land manager. Research into the endangered plant species in Sydney Harbour andBotany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Parks will further this knowledge.Information on regeneration mechanisms, seed survival and germination and fire-freeinterval required for re-establishment of seed-bearing plants is vital for the continuationof endangered species.

As prescribed and ecological burns for the maintenance of biodiversity is still a newscience, intensive recording, monitoring and follow-up is essential to furtherknowledge.

7.4 Plan review

Following adoption this plan will have a currency of five years. Minor changes may bemade by the Regional Manager as deemed necessary. It is anticipated that informationwithin this plan will be updated throughout its life.


REFERENCES

Benson, D. & Howell, J. 1990. Sydney’s Vegetation 1788-1988: utilisation, degradationand rehabilitation. in Proc. of the Ecological Society of Australia, Volume 16, Sydney, NSW, pages 115-127.

Benson, D. & Howell, J. 1994. The Natural Vegetation of Sydney, in Cunninghamia, Volume 3 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 679-787.

Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1993. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 1: Ferns, fern-allies, cycads, conifers and dicotyledon families Acanthaceae to Asclepiadaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 3 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 257-422.

Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1995. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 3: Dicotyledon families Cabonbaceae to Eupomaiaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 4 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 217-431.

Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1996. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 4: Dicotyledon family Fabaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 4 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 553-752.

Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1997. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 5: Dicotyledon families Flacourtiaceae to Myrsinaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 5 (2), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 331-544.

Benson, D. & McDougall, L., 1998. Ecology of Sydney Plant Species, Part 6: Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae, in Cunninghamia, Volume 5 (4), Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, pages 808-987.

Bradstock, R., Keith, D. & Auld, T., 1995. Fire and Conservation: imperatives and constraints on managing for Biodiversity, in Conserving Biodiversity: Threats and solutions, edited by Bradstock et alia, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney, pages 323-333.

Bradstock, R. & Scott, J. 1995. A basis for planning fire to achieve conservation and protection objectives adjacent to the urban interface, in CALMScience Supplement 4: pages 109-116.

Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. 1995. Rare or Threatened Australian Plants, CSIRO, Collingwood.

Clark, S.C. & McLoughlin, L.C., 1986. Historical and biological evidence for fire regimes in the Sydney region prior to the arrival of Europeans: implications for future bushland management, in Australian Geographer 17(2), Sydney,

pages 101-112.

Conroy, B. 1993. Fire Management Strategies for the Sydney Region in The Burning Question: Fire Management in NSW, Conference proceedings, Coffs Harbour August 1993, Department of Continuing Education, The University of New England, Armidale, pages 73-81.


Conroy, B. 1994. Impacts of fire mitigation strategies, in Bushfires! Looking to the future, Papers from Nature Conservation Council of NSW Seminar, June 1994. Envirobook Publishing, Sydney, pages 44-53.

Conroy, R.J., 1996. To burn or not to burn, in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW, 116th Edition, Sydney, pages 79-95.

Conroy, R.J., 1998. Fuel assessment guide for the Sydney region. NPWS, Sydney, (unpublished).

Cranney, K., 1999. Regeneration of urban bushland through smoke stimulated germination of the soil seedbank. Honours thesis, Uni NSW.

ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1996. Fire Management Report - Sydney Harbour and BotanyBay National Parks, NPWS, Sydney.

Harden, G.J. (ed) 1990-1994. Flora of NSW Vol 1-4. NSW University Press, Kensington.

Matthes, M. & Nash, S., 1994. Conservation Research Statement and Recovery Plan for Allocasuarina portuensis - L. Johnson, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program, Sydney.

NPWS, 2002. Botany Bay National Park Draft Plan of Management, NPWS, Sydney.

NPWS, 2001. Fire Management Manual, NPWS, Hurstville.

NPWS, 2000 Allocasuarina portuensis Recovery Plan, NPWS, Sydney

NPWS, 1998. Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management, NPWS, Sydney.

NPWS, 1997. Atlas of NSW Wildlife (computer database), NPWS, Sydney.

Prior, A., 1996. Review of Environmental Factors - Pest Species management by the use of mosaic burning - La Perouse, NPWS, Sydney.

Prior, A., 1998. Review of Environmental Factors - Hazard reduction burns for the Grose Street area, Botany Bay (La Perouse Precinct) National Park, NPWS,

Sydney.

Specht, R.L., 1981. Foliage Cover and standing biomass, pages 10-21 in Vegetation Classification in Australia, Eds Gillison, A.N. & Anderson, D.J., CSIRO & ANU Press, Canberra.

UBM (Urban Bushland Management Consultants P/L), 1996. Weed Management Strategy (Sydney District) Vols 1 & 2, NPWS, Sydney.

3.0 the bush fire environment€¦ · control lines will assist npws to prevent fires escaping from...

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