MidCoast Council is currently investigating the designated bushfire asset protection zone (APZ) on the southern side of the wildlife corridor next to Maslin Close at Redhead.
This zone has existed since the subdivision was approved many years ago, according to Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell.
“The asset protection zone has been in place for many years, however has not been maintained. Now we have landowners wishing to build on their blocks we are required to ensure the zone is in place.”
Mr De Szell said Council was committed to balancing both the integrity of the wildlife corridor and the requirement to maintain the bushfire protection zones.
“We do appreciate there is community concern about our management of this area and I would like to assure you we are not undertaking any work at this point in time. We will make sure the community is informed about what we will be required to do before we undertake any work.”
While meeting the bushfire planning regulations is the responsibility of individual lot owners, there is an obligation for Council to maintain the zone that falls into the public reserve, in line with the approved fire management strategy for the site to provide protection to the homes that are planned to be built in the area.
It is important for the community to understand that asset protection zones are not maintained through complete clearing by bulldozers Mr De Szell said.
“Maintaining the tree canopy is an important part of asset protection zones. Maintenance in these areas focuses on reducing fuel loads by managing grasses and understorey clearing.”
Any work will be undertaken in close consultation with Council’s ecologists to ensure koala habitat trees are not removed and with the work being carried out by both hand and machinery as required, to provide the least impact on the local fauna.
“Asset protection zones are successfully maintained with significant koala populations in a number of Councils on the coast of NSW, and we will be looking to employ best practice in the way we proceed.”
