Frankston City is fortunate to have a wide variety of natural reserves within the municipality, providing a diversity of habitats not only for indigenous wildlife but for our international visitors, the migratory bird. Council also has invested significant resources in planting and establishing street trees and protecting our community forest.

The State Government has introduced new exemptions for bushfire protection into the Planning Schemes of all municipalities considered to be at risk of wildfire, including Frankston. The new exemptions allow for the removal of vegetation without a planning permit in certain circumstances, to reduce fuel loads around homes and minimise risk to life and property from wildfire.

Vegetation Management Changes
Tree Protection Local Law
'10/30 Right' and Fenceline Clearing
Trees and Native Vegetation
Plant Selection
Resident Responsibilities
Roadside Firewood Collection
Fuel Reduction Burning

Vegetation Management Changes

The Victorian State Government has announced planning scheme exemptions to help landowners reduce fuel load around their homes as part of their preparations for the 2009-2010 bushfire season.

This currently allows for the 10/30 right and fence line clearing in the Frankston City Council area - however Council is currently seeking to have the '10/30 Right' modified to take account of "actual" fire risk and the impact on local character - i.e. request for a partial exemption for the municipality.

Tree Protection Local Law

Frankston City Council's Tree Protection Local Law will still apply for the removal of trees over 110 centimetres circumference at ground level. Council has verified this through independent legal advice. Even if the tree is within 10 metres of your house residents will need to contact Council to apply for a Local Law Permit to remove the tree.

Council will give priority to fire prone areas in terms of faster turnaround time for processing tree removal permit applications.

The State Government's New '10/30 Right' and Fenceline Clearing

The State Government's '10/30 Right' is about your 'right' to clear vegetation around your home for bushfire protection without obtaining a planning permit.

The '10/30 Right' - is a right not a rule. It aims to help residents in areas of fire risk, reduce the amount and availability of fine fuels (including leaf litter, twigs and shrubs) and therefore reduce fire intensity and risk.

The '10/30 Right' intends to simplify the right to clear vegetation around your home for bushfire protection only without obtaining a planning permit.

The right allows landowners to clear:

1. All vegetation, including trees, within 10 metres of your house
2. All vegetation (except for trees) within 30 metres of your house

This right only extends to your property boundary - you will not be able to clear vegetation on neighbouring land without the written permission of the neighbouring landowner.

This measure also includes an allowance to remove vegetation up to a maximum combined width of four metres along a property boundary fence. The maximum width of four metres can be divided in any manner the two landowners agree on. If a combined four metres of clear land already exists, no further clearing can be done under this exemption.

Normal planning controls may still apply for vegetation removal, this include clearing trees more than 10 metres from your house.

Please note, the '10/30 Right' applies only when removing trees for bushfire protection reasons. A Local Law Permit is still required to remove trees over 110 centimetres circumference at ground level.

Please contact Council on 1300 322 322 if you are uncertain on any aspect of the '10/30 Right'.

Trees and Native Vegetation

There are many good reasons to have trees - both public and private - as part of our urban environment. The Royal Commission has heard that in some case native vegetation, including trees, can protect residents and buildings from radiant heat and ember attacks in the event of a bushfire.

It can also provide soil stability to help prevent erosion and landslip, as well as shade, shelter, scenic and emotional benefits, for example:

• Providing shade and creating cooler temperatures - reducing air conditioning costs in the summer, and providing a wind break reducing heating costs in winter
• Filter airborne pollutants
• Remove atmospheric carbon dioxide
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Increase the value of our homes
• Creating softness and beauty in otherwise harsh streetscapes, which adds to the value of properties
• Increasing the quality of life for residents by introducing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban surroundings
• Providing a tranquil environment

Plant Selection

The CFA advises it is unwise to rely on plants being 'fire retardant' or 'hard to burn'. Some lists of plants refer to 'fire resistant' species - which is the capacity of the plant to recover from fire.

While some plants may not burn in low to moderately intense fires, all plants can burn in high intensity fires.

Frankston City Council's Indigenous Nursery sells local native species at very reasonable rates. Native vegetation offers many benefits over introduced species including:

• Suitably positioned and maintained native vegetation can increase a property's market value
• Native vegetation provides insulation to your dwelling against sun and wind. This can help reduce expenses for heating and cooling
• Native vegetation, due to its adaptation to the regions climate and soils, retains water on site.
• Native vegetation requires less watering and will reduce your water bill
• Native vegetation retention prevents loss of valuable topsoil and erosion, protects water quality, and controls noxious weeds. This in turn helps maintain ecological processes
• Native grasses retain moisture during hot, dry weather periods, making them fire resistant - providing a natural defence for your property

Native vegetation is not just trees but the understorey of shrubs, herbs, grasses and lichens. This understorey will help retain moisture in the soil. It will also eliminate the need for mowing.

To help you select plants that are suitable for your local environment
contact Council on 1300 322 322.

Resident Responsibilities

While the risk of wildfire in Frankston is relatively low, everyone needs to be fire ready, no matter where they live.

The ability to defend your property from bushfire can be influenced by a combination of factors, including:

• The preparation of a bushfire survival plan
• House location and surrounding land
• Building structure and materials
• Water supply, including tanks, pools, pumps or sprinklers

Residents should seek advice from their local CFA regarding their bushfire survival plans and should seek advice from Council about implementing a sensible balance between providing a safer home, maintaining vegetation on their property, and preserving our natural environment.

Roadside Firewood Collection

The Department of Sustainability and Environment advises you can remove fallen wood from certain roadside without a permit during 'firewood collection periods'. These will be advertised in local papers two weeks prior to planned fuel reduction burns. There will be signs along roadsides showing where fallen wood may be collected during these periods.

There will also be a VicRoads endorsed traffic management plan in place to manage road safety and traffic congestion.

Fuel Reduction Burning

• Department of Sustainability and Environment: www.dse.vic.gov.au or 136 186
• Victorian Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667
• Frankston City Council: 1300 322 322

Fire prevention is a priority and Council is remaining vigilant to ensure the Frankston City municipality is prepared. Council welcomes responsible initiatives from the State Government to assist with fire prevention.

Keep Informed and Be Vigilant Visit the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667 Listen to 774ABC Radio

 

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