Council will soon commence hazard reduction burns within four Ipswich conservation estates and reserves to reduce the risk of bushfires that may threaten properties and the community.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said council’s scheduled program of hazard reduction burns remove ground fuel such as dried grass, leaves and twigs, reducing the potential for bushfires.
“These controlled ‘cool burns’ reduce the risk of bushfire and also help the healthy regeneration of local native species,” Cr Milligan said.
“The slower and less intense burn activity ensures that patches remain untouched for wildlife to use as a refuge and to help re-establish vegetation.
“Council owns and manages more than 6,700 hectares of natural area estate across the Ipswich region, which includes various conservation estates and reserves.
“Undertaking controlled burns in selected bushland areas is an important proactive environment management tool and safety precaution for our community.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said council, as a land manager, has a responsibility to carry out hazard reduction burns to meet its obligations under the Queensland Fire Services Act 1995.
“Council has a responsibility to mitigate the risk of fire in our region’s bushlands with actions including fire breaks, fuel-reduced zones and upcoming hazard reduction burns,” Cr Madsen said.
“Council utilises mapping resources to identify areas that have a potential bushfire hazard across Ipswich’s picturesque and popular reserves and estates.
“This is combined with on-ground assessments to identify risk and inform a strategic plan that best allows council to manage Ipswich’s bushlands and parks for fire.”
Fire is recognised as a natural and essential requirement for the longterm health and viability of bushland and associated wildlife species in Ipswich. Managing fire in bushland areas is vital for the protection of surrounding homes, properties and structures and important in maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems and habitats.
The 2022 scheduled program of hazard reduction burns will concentrate on the following sites:
- White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, near Paperbark Flats entry
- Flinders – Goolman Conservation Estate, near Flinders Plum entry
- Hillview Drive Reserve, near corner of Hillview Drive and Riverside Drive
- Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate, in northern and southern sections
For more information about council’s Bushland Fire Management, click here.
For park closure and other enquiries phone council on 3180 6666 or click here.
A quick and easy-to-follow guide for creating a bushfire survival plan is available at Bushfire-survival-plan.qfes.qld.gov.au
Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland said sections of the estates will be closed during and up to a couple of weeks after hazard reduction burns until they are safe for community access and use.
“All attempts will be made to limit smoke, dust, embers and other hazards during the upcoming scheduled burns but there may be some inconvenience to nearby properties,” Cr Ireland said.
“Households closest to hazard reduction burn areas will receive notification in their letterbox.”
Hazard reduction burns are scheduled to happen between August and December 2022, with exact dates dependent on weather and ground conditions and may change at short notice.
Not all sites will be completed at the same time as they require different wind directions for the burn pattern and to avoid as much smoke as possible for residents and main roads.
Residents near hazard reduction burns should close their doors and windows and keep medication near if suffering from a respiratory condition. Motorists should use caution and drive to conditions.
If you believe your property is under threat, you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
