Planning for more bushfires: implications of urban growth and climate change

Abstract

Trends in climate change predict that in future decades Australia will experience drier conditions during parts of the year, as well as prolonged droughts. In Queensland the late year dry season is expected to be longer and drier with bushfires beginning earlier and lasting longer. Urban and peri urban expansion is placing a larger population into proximity with the bush and especially adjacent to national parks. However, most people moving into peri urban areas are urban residents with limited awareness of the bushfire hazard. A case study of Thuringowa Shire is presented to illustrate some of the issues which need to be addressed by planners.