The City of Onkaparinga’s bushfire preparedness was bolstered this year, with the purchase of a tough new machine.
Introducing the Green Climber, a high-tech remote-controlled slope mower (nicknamed within council as ‘Robochop’), designed to assist with the upkeep of natural areas, including reserves and roadsides.
Its greatest advantage? It’s operable from a distance of 350 metres and capable of navigating slopes of up to 60 degrees.
It also makes light work of thick brush, spindly bushes, saplings and noxious weeds.
With a range of heavy-duty attachments, it can also cut down trees and grind stumps, making it an effective, multi-functional tool to clear vegetation that typically fuels bushfires.
Joel Caddy, Bushfire Preparedness Project Officer at the City of Onkaparinga, emphasises the importance of being prepared for bushfires in the council district, especially given its diverse terrain, susceptibility to dry conditions and gully winds.
“The Green Climber enhances our efforts to reduce fuel loads, allowing us to quickly—and safely—maintain slopes and other areas that were previously inaccessible or unsafe for human-operated slashers,” Joel says.
The City of Onkaparinga is the first council in Australia to purchase a machine of this kind and it forms just one part of the council’s efforts to reduce the risk of bushfires in the community.
The council’s Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project—which includes the purchase of the Green Climber—has been made possible thanks to a $3.57 million grant from the National Emergency Management Agency.
The grant was received in mid 2022, with the project commencing shortly after.
The project brings together multiple stakeholders including the CFS, state government departments and bushfire specialists, and aims to identify problem areas and find solutions before disaster strikes.
In addition to resident education and support for community-led disaster resilience groups, the three-year project will see fuel reduction roll out in stages—starting with areas of greatest risk—as determined by the state government's Bushfire Management Plan.
With a dedicated Bushfire Management Plan also in place, the City of Onkaparinga provides support and advice to residents via community development programs.
“Our goal is to create a safer, more resilient and bushfire-aware community, and develop effective strategies to prevent fires from occurring,” Joel says.
While the new technology is fascinating, and the operators a friendly bunch, the community is reminded that Robochop is a heavy-duty tool and should be observed from a distance.
“If you see Robochop out and about, feel free to stop and watch it in action from afar,” says Joel.
The City of Onkaparinga’s Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project is estimated to be complete in 2025 when funding ceases. To find out more, visit the project webpage.
Onkaparinga’s fire management activities and its Bushfire Management Plan can be viewed at https://www.onkaparingacity.com/Services/Permits/Fire-Management-fire-danger-season
PICTURE: Council staff Troy and Calum operate Robochop on tough terrain