Fire trail funding helps reduce bushfire risks

An investment of more than $100,000 in a fire trail construction and maintenance project will increase the region’s resilience to bushfire and help protect the lives and properties of Scenic Rim residents at Tamborine Mountain and Gleneagle.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said that Council's contribution of $40,000 and the Queensland Government’s contribution of $60,000 from the more than $59 million 2019-21 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program had enabled Scenic Rim Regional Council to carry out a wide range of works in reserves, including Guanaba Reserve and Gleneagle Reserve, to reduce bushfire risks in neighbouring residential areas.

“While we cannot completely eliminate the threat of bushfire, there is much that can be done to reduce the risks,” he said.

“The 2019 bushfires in our region were a stark reminder of the need to be aware of the risks of bushfire in residential areas which are surrounded by large tracts of natural bushland.”

The works at Gleneagle Reserve, off Parkhurst Place, have reduced the risk of fire to more than 35 nearby properties and included the establishment of more than 1,000 metres of new fire trails.

Existing fire trails were widened to improve access for fire-fighters’ vehicles and four gullies were repaired to ensure safe vehicle access.

Tracks which previously required labour-intensive maintenance can now be slashed mechanically and weed control was undertaken to reduce the potential fuel load and enable the return of native grasses and vegetation.

At Guanaba Reserve, the existing fire trail was extended by more than 200 metres and widened to enable fuel reduction and effective firefighting, reducing the risk to more than 27 properties on Tamborine Mountain.

Highly invasive and flammable slash pines were removed from the reserve and additional fire tracks have been strategically located to enable hazard reduction burns that will have minimal impact on native plants and wildlife.

“Although the works carried out to build and maintain these fire trails will go a long way to reducing the risk of bushfire in these reserves, residents also need to do their bit to reduce the risks of bushfire to their properties,” Cr Christensen said.

"Council is grateful for the funding support provided by the Queensland Government which has enabled us to undertake works to reduce the bushfire risk to our communities."