Verge clearing is another key milestone of the Sparking Conversations, Igniting Action project. The objective of verge clearing operations is to promote safer egress routes in areas effected by bushfire events by removal of selected vegetation.

The grant stated ‘escape route (road) verge management - arborists engaged to identify potentially dangerous trees and work with each local government area (LGA) to remove these trees. Stakeholders to identify work required along each major escape route.’ It is important to note however, that undertaking work along ‘each major escape route’ in each LGA was not possible. Thus, egress routes in each Council area were identified and prioritised to have works undertaken. Where funding permitted, more than one area of verge management was completed.

The budget allocated for works in each LGA was $65,000, which was to cover the cost of all vegetation clearing and associated works, such as professional reports. The baseline criteria ensured that the areas were:

• Within an area listed as being High Risk Human Settlement Area under the relevant Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRMP) and associated overlay on LISTmap - https://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map?bookmarkId=605824

• Identified as a high-risk area by Geoneon programming (for all areas other than Clarence City Council) or Roadside Verge Assessment Project (for Kingborough Council)

• Tenure - Council land

• Directly alongside roads that will likely be used as an escape route in a bushfire

• Community feedback from resident engagement

• Previously identified for clearing by Council

After passing an initial desktop assessment, Project Officers conducted ground proofing inspections of the selected areas to further evaluate their suitability, ultimately resulting in areas being identified for works. Several selection criteria were used for undertaking the onsite inspections, including:

• High fuel loads

• Suitability for clearing, pruning (eg. not too steep or inaccessible for such works)

• No obstructions or dangers that can’t be managed with Safe Working Procedures (SWP) (eg. powerlines, traffic etc)

• Visibility for community members

• Benefit to the local community

External experts were engaged to review the selected locations. The review included undertaking pre and post Fuel Load Assessments, as well as Natural Values Assessments to ascertain a baseline position for each selected egress route.