Land and emergency management agencies in Australia and
overseas recognise the importance of an access network to support bushfire
management activities. Ground and aerial access provides a platform for fire
reduction and readiness activities and provides opportunities to contain fires
before they escalate into major fires that could otherwise incur significant
costs and potentially significant losses to community, cultural and
environmental values.
Fire access within the ACT consists of a network of roads,
tracks and trails that support fire prevention, readiness and response
activities. The identification and maintenance of fire access is an integral
element of fire management across the ACT.
Access management is divided into four areas :
1. maintenance
2. upgrade
3. construction
4. vegetation removal.
ACT PCS Fire Management Unit currently manage and maintain
approximately 3,218 kilometres of roads and fire trails within the ACT. The
classification of fire roads, tracks and trails is performance based to provide
clear guidance to response agencies during incidents.
Ground access is defined in four classes :
1. Float road – an access road
or trail accessible to a low loader float carrying a large bulldozer or other
heavy equipment.
2. Tanker road – a fire trail
of strategic importance accessible to a heavy tanker and a tipper carrying a
small bulldozer.
3. Light unit trail – a fire
trail accessible at minimum standard for a light unit.
4. Dormant fire trail – a trail
that has been deliberately closed or not maintained and can be quickly
re-opened with minimal works.
The objective of ground access works are to upgrade and
maintain road pavements within the parks and reserves of the ACT to the above
four classes standard under the current Bushfire Operational Plan. Many areas
require ongoing general maintenance or upgrading to an appropriate standard.
This is done principally to provide reliable access for operational
requirements and for fire suppression activities in the event of a wildfire
that may threaten the ACT.
Vegetation removal work is conducted by mechanical mulchers
that reduce vegetation on roads and trails that impede access for operational
and fire suppression requirements identified under the current Bushfire
Operational Plan. The Parks and Conservation Service Fire Management Unit also
commit a number of other contracted resources (graders, trucks, rollers,
excavators and backhoes etc) to conduct daily scheduled maintenance as well as
upgrade and construction services on a yearly basis within the ACT.
The Bushfire Map shows the Environment, Planning &
Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) Bushfire Operations Plan
(BOP) for the current financial year.
The EPSDD BOP is derived from the 5-year Regional Fire
Management Plans, which can also be viewed on this site. The EPSDD BOP details
the specific timing, type and location of fuel-reduction, access and
infrastructure activities proposed to be undertaken in the ACT in the current
financial; year, in accordance with the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan
(SBMP).
