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Approvals FMS compilation Michael Hansby, Analyst, Terramatrix

Approved by Jarred Stevens & Alan Wallis, Frankston City Council

Approval date 23/04/2014

Version control

Date Comments Distribution

23/04/2015 Final FMS FCC

Revised FMS incorporating FCC feedback FCC

Description

Reserve name Belvedere Bushland Reserve

Suburb Seaford

Perimeter roads Ti-Tree Crescent, Frankston-Dandenong Road

Other road access Centenary Street

Melway map ref 100 B5

Reserve size 9.07 ha

Reserve use Recreation, conservation

BMO Yes (full coverage)

BPA Yes (full coverage)

Description The 9 ha reserve is a remnant patch of Sand Heathland / Heathy Woodland and

is used for conservation and recreation. There are no built assets within the

reserve. A small area of bushland (Austin Reserve) is to the north-west, playing

fields and other recreational facilities are directly north of the Reserve and

private residential properties to both the west and south. The Mornington

Peninsula Highway is due east of the reserve.

Documents - generic • Terramatrix (2013), Frankston City Council Natural Reserves Bushfire

Management Strategy, Frankston City Council, Frankston.

• Nolan, R. and Cairns, M. (2008) Fire Ecology Assessment for the City of

Frankston’s Natural Reserves. SMEC Australia Pty. Ltd., Melbourne.

• Frankston City Council, (2013). Natural Reserves Maintenance Manual.

Frankston City Council, Frankston.

Documents (reserve

specific)

• Terra Forma (2000), Belvedere Bushland Reserve Management Plan.

Frankston City Council. Frankston.

• Terramatrix (2012), Belvedere Bushland Reserve; Natural Reserves Fire

Management Zones. Frankston City Council, Frankston.

Ecological Vegetation

Classes

Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)

Sand Heathland (EVC 06)

Fire Management Statement BELVEDERE BUSHLAND RESERVE, SEAFORD

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Topography The topography of Belvedere Bushland Reserve is generally undulating, with

some moderate relief (slopes to 7°) in the south-east corner. The reserve is a

Pleistocene dune formation, with a small section of recently deposited peaty

clay in the north-east corner (Terra Forma, 2000) and shows significant

variation in aspect.

Fire history (suspicious)

Nb: Based on available

information, may be

incomplete

Spring 2007, accidental

3 x Autumn 2008, accidental

3 x Summer 2008, accidental

Planned burn history Spring 2001

Autumn, 2011

Assets within Fencing, signage

Assets adjacent Houses, sporting clubs

Asset exposure Hazard to N, E and NE of assets

Credible fire scenario A local ignition on the western edge of the reserve, moving in an easterly

direction for approx. 350m

Current conditions and assessment

Community engagement

Document name Published

Articles in local paper regarding fire safety (CFA, FCC) As required

Social media posts regarding fire safety (CFA, FCC) As required

FCC website As required

Event name Comments

CFA Fire Ready Meetings As required

Meetings with Friends Groups As required

Fuel management

APZ perimeter coverage Western and southern boundaries

APZ width All greater than or equal to 6 m wide

Planned burns scheduled No set date. Burn within tolerable fire interval

Other fuel management work Refer to FCC Maintenance Manual for reserve specific

actions

The regularly mown areas within Belvedere Bushland Reserve offer at least a 6m low fuel area

adjacent to all private property. Further separation from the reserve vegetation is provided on the

private property and by the two perimeter roads, as the houses are either set back from the

boundaries or separated from the reserve by the road.

Assessment of current fuel management Adequate

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Access

Access at Belvedere Bushland Reserve is shown on Map 1.

Assuming fire services are able to open all vehicle gates and areas designated as providing access are

maintained, then much of Belvedere Bushland Reserve is accessible by light 4x4 vehicles and the

western and southern perimeters are accessible by tankers. Given this, the level of access is deemed

adequate.

Assessment of current access Adequate

Recommendations Maintain to ensure access during fire danger period

Meeting with CFA As required

CFA personnel N/A

Water supply

Water hydrants The streets surrounding Belvedere Bushland Reserve contain numerous hydrants.

There are none within the reserve. (Refer Error! Reference source not found.).

Static supply There are no static water points within the reserve.

Signage

Four out of the six mapped entrance points have signage with symbols indicating no fires and no

smoking along with many other (non-fire related) prohibited activities within the reserve. The

entrances on the north-western and south-western boundaries have no signage.

Recommendations

Type Action

Vegetation management Maintain existing APZs and low fuel areas

Access Maintain existing entrances and tracks to ensure at least light 4x4

vehicle access

Signage Introduce ‘bollard’ signs at the entrances on the north-western and

south-western boundaries.

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Map 1 - Belvedere Bushland Reserve, current conditions and fire history