Backround

Bushfire-prone landscapes cover much of the City of Onkaparinga. Our residents often live, work and travel through hazard areas. Managing fire risks and building resilience is a shared responsibility between all. Protecting life, property and ecological and cultural assets are all top priorities for council.

The Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project (BPP) in the City of Onkaparinga aims to add to efforts to mitigate bushfire risks and prepare communities. This aims to be achieved through extra fuel reduction works on council land, consulting experts to gain a greater understanding of bushfire risks in our area and through educating residents and by supporting and expanding Community-led Disaster Resilience (CDR) groups.

These initiatives have been made possible through a $3.57m grant from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In addition to engaging contractors to tackle flammable woody weeds, council has purchased a new remote-controlled tracked mower called a Green Climber. It is capable of mowing on steep slopes and even mowing through small bushes. Our two dedicated field staff are trained bush care workers and will take care to reduce fuel loads while protecting our precious biodiversity. Rural roadside pruning will also be strengthened by reducing dead matter, and clearing roads for clearer exits in the event of a bushfire.

On-ground fuel reduction works will be staged over 3 years and be prioritised according to bushfire risk. Treatment sites on council reserves and roadsides are selected using multiple criteria. This includes spatial data which identifies high-risk areas, and through proximity to schools and elderly facilities, by using vegetation and community and ecological asset information.

In the lead up to fire season, we focus on cutting grasses to prevent ignition and spread of fire. As the grasses “green up” after March, our efforts are on evaluating works, continuing to treat flammable weeds, and preparing for the next season.

The great “tree change” movement has seen many new residents moving into our idyllic semi-rural communities. Many of these areas are susceptible to fire, with many homes not built to withstand the radiant heat created by bushfires. This is why we are supporting our Community Development Team with their efforts to enhance Community-led Disaster Resilience groups, as well as creating new programs aiming to educate the community on bushfire preparedness and the importance of knowing about and having a bushfire plan(External link).

For further information on the project, please read the frequently asked questions. To ask any questions or share your thoughts, please follow the links at the end of the page.