North Stradbroke Island Fire Access Review

The integration and provision of high quality spatial data relating to fire access is a fundamental requirement for decision makers making plans for wildfire suppression and in the development of fire prevention strategies. 

Redland City Council commissioned GHD to undertake a review of fire access for North Stradbroke Island. The primary intent of  was to determine, on a strategic basis, appropriate standards of fire access for the area.  This was achieved via an assessment of the current extent and standard of fire access, followed by the development of a series of rules to enable prioritisation of future upgrades and new works. 

The secondary purpose of the review was to detail results of preliminary investigations into other bushfire management planning issues, including fire regimes, fire management blocks and burning ember reduction.

Use of spatial technology was integral to the successful outcome of the project, and involved:

• Desktop spatial data and background literature review.
• Field data acquisition – This stage involved mapping the location and assessing the existing standard of fire access throughout the Island using an agreed set of criteria.  Handheld computing technology was utilised, integrating GPS receivers with rugged, lightweight, portable hardware and GIS software.  Predetermined pick lists and drop down menus were used to eliminate paper based recording.
• Design and application of a rule based model to determine appropriate future fire access standards – This model was based on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service/Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water fire access classifications.
• Development and provision of a series of geo-databases for inclusion in the council’s fire information management system.