The purpose of developing a fuel reduction zone is to provide access to provide a "circut breaker" for bush fires but reducing the avaliable fuel for fire.

The purpose of developing a fire service track is to provide access to maintenance service and emergency vehicles.

Requirements

Standard Fire Track

• Creation of a vegetation exclusion envelope that is a minimum 6m wide and 3.8m high and able to be driven by vehicles to the dimensions nominated in the purpose.
• Be constructed with passing bays permitting two-way access at selected points.
• Provide passing bays with a minimum length of 17m, a minimum width of 6m and a maximum width in native vegetation of 8m.
• Provide opportunities to pass no less than once every 400m unless service tracks are less than 1200 m.
• To utilise any existing tracks within Fire Reduction Areas where possible.
• Fire Service Tracks are to be generally back from property boundarys or similar exclusion fences where possible but are able to navigate where necessary to avoid large trees, batters walls etc.
• To ensure access is possible by 4WD fire vehicles and other suitibly equiped emergency vehicles including trucks.
• To remove all vegetation at ground level ensuring there is no risk of tyre spiking for vehicles.
• Remove all fallen timber or other obstructions within the Service Track zone to ensure it can be easily driven.

Major Fire Service Tracks

• As per standard
• Be maintained to a minimum width of 7m
• Be sufficiently clear of vegetation to allow ready and safe two-way access

Location of Fire Service Tracks

• Wherever possible, tracks should be established on land where native vegetation has already been modified.
• Tracks should be incorporated within a fuel break, where possible.
• Tracks should be positioned so that they complement other fire access tracks outlined in relevant bushfire prevention plans.

Constructing Fire Service Tracks

Erosion control

Where possible, the placement of fire access tracks should minimise soil disturbance and retain sufficient vegetation cover to reduce erosion. Track design should include erosion control measures.

Formed or cut tracks should be designed and constructed to maintain natural drainage lines. All tracks should be designed to allow run-off, and any tracks across a watercourse should allow safe vehicle crossing, but not interfere with stream flow.

Vehicle access

Tracks used for fire service access should be as straight as possible and allow easy passage for firefighting vehicles. Entry points to tracks that do not allow passage for firefighting vehicles should be clearly identified.

Curves

All tracks used for fire access should have curves with a minimum inside radius of 8.5m.

No through roads and dead ends

No through roads are only permitted provided appropriate signage and turnaround points are in place.

No through roads without turnaround points are to be barricaded at their entrances and not included on fire maps.

Turnaround points

In line with the above, construction of tracks with dead ends should be avoided. Where this is not possible, safe, suitable turnaround points must be provided to accommodate large firefighting vehicles by the construction of either:

• a turnaround point with a minimum diameter of 25m; or
• a “T” or “Y-shaped” turnaround point with minimum leg lengths of 7.5m and a minimum inside road radius of 8.5m

Sign posting

All tracks should be named and sign posted. Signage should meet with Australian Standard 1743 (2001), and track names/numbers should be shown on maps.

Sign posts should include the following where applicable:

• Track name, or number or destination (if specifically named)
• No Through Road (dead-end)
• Appropriate signage to indicate local variations in track (e.g. Roads Narrows, Localised Hazard, Steep Gradient, etc.)
• Load limits (e.g. for bridges)
• Signs with grid references

Concurrent Works

• May be undertaken with the construction of Fuel Reduction Zones

Methodology

• Onsite Client meeting and final brief prior to works.
• Before photos taken with geotagging.
• Schedule works frame
• Notification of works to neighbouring properties, sensitive sites, fire authorities for  area.
• Schedule and recruit (if required) workforce and ensure required training is up to date.
• Fire Service Track mark out and survey for sensitive
• Training refresher and site induction including species identification guides
• Onsite works begin
• Inital pass to reduce ground vegitation such as grasses within the zone and remove any obstructing debris. Photos of works
• Second pass, cut and brush small trees and weeds, mulching of small trees vegitation with the Fire Service track envolpe with scattered distribution of mulch or removal from site if required. Photos of works
• Third pass, herbicide spray of selected ground vegitation (refer to species guide). Photos of works

Maintenance Run

Queensland

Certificate of Currency

Queensland

Ground Distribution Contractor Licence

Commercial Operator's Licence

This policy affirms our commitment to contribute to ending all forms of modern slavery and outlines our approach to reducing the risk of modern slavery practices within our supply chains and operations.

It is consistent with our code of ethics, that expects a culture of high ethical standards, including compliance with applicable laws, contractual and other obligations. It is also consistent with the

This Policy also supports the intent of international conventions, treaties and protocols relevant to combatting modern slavery and the Modern Slavery Act (Cth) 2018.

Scope

This policy applies to all Biotao employees, and contractors (including temporary contractors) of Biotao wherever located. In certain circumstances the obligations set out in this Policy may extend to employee and contractors connected persons.

Definitions

Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)

Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) being the Commonwealth legislation (the Act) enacted by the Parliament of Australia on 29 November 2018 (and may be amended from time to time).

Modern slavery

Modern slavery for the purposes of this policy is defined as including eight types of serious exploitation and outlined in sections below.

Operations

Operations is defined as activity undertaken by all Biotao Business Units.

Risks of modern slavery practices

Risks of modern slavery practices means the potential for Australian Red Cross to cause, contribute to, or be directly linked to modern slavery through its supply chains and operations.

Staff

Staff includes managers and supervisors; full-time, part-time or casual, temporary or permanent staff; job candidates; student placements, apprentices, contractors, sub-contractors and volunteers.

Suppliers

Suppliers is defined as any organisation or person who provides us with goods or services, including their subcontractors, agents, related entities and consultants.

Supply chains

Supply chains is defined as the products and services (including labour) that contribute to Biotao’s own products and services. This includes products and services sourced in Australia or overseas and extends beyond direct suppliers.

Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is defined by the Modern Slavery Act (Cth) 20184 to include eight types of serious exploitation and which can be understood as:

• trafficking in persons, which is the recruitment, harbouring and movement of a person for the purposes of exploitation through modern slavery. Exploitation also includes the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs;
• slavery, which is where the offender exercises powers of ownership over the victim;
• servitude which is where the victim’s personal freedom is significantly restricted and they are not free to stop working or leave their place of work;
• forced labour, which is where the victim is either not free to stop working or not free to leave their place of work;
• forced marriage, which is where coercion, threats or deception are used to make a victim marry or where the victim does not understand or is incapable of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony;
• debt bondage, which is where the victim’s services are pledged as security for a debt and the debt is manifestly excessive or the victim’s services are not applied to liquidate the debt, or the length and nature of the services are not limited and defined;
• the worst forms of child labour, which involves situations where children are: exploited through slavery or similar practices, including for sexual exploitation; or engaged in hazardous work which may harm their health or safety, or used to produce or traffic drugs; and
• deceptive recruiting for labour or services which is where the victim is deceived about whether they will be exploited through a type of modern slavery.

It can also extend to:

• entering into a commercial transaction involving a slave;
• exercising control or direction over, or providing finance for, any commercial transaction involving a slave or act of slave trading;
• conducting a business involving servitude or forced labour (including exercising control over the business or providing finance to it);

Limiting the risk of modern slavery

Biotao will work proactively to reduce modern slavery within our supply chains and operations and we expect all organisations we engage with to do the same.

Supply Chain

Supplier Code of Conduct
We expect all existing and new Suppliers to comply with the principles set out in our Supplier Code of Conduct. Fundamental to the Supplier Code of Conduct is an expectation that all Suppliers operate in full compliance with the laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the goods are sourced, procured or services are performed.

Suppliers must use best endeavours to ensure that there is no modern slavery in their supply chains and operations. In the event Suppliers identify any occurrence of, or material risk of modern slavery in their supply chains or operations they are to take practical and effective steps to address that occurrence or risk. Suppliers must notify Biotao as soon as practical of any occurrence of, or material risk of modern slavery they have identified and notify relevant authorities where appropriate.

Biotao's Contractual terms
Our contractual terms reflect Supplier obligations outlined in the Supplier Code of Conduct, including compliance with Australian modern slavery laws and those foreign modern slavery laws that apply in the location(s) in which they operate.

Supply chain mapping and risk assessment
We encourage our suppliers to complete a Corporate Social Responsibility questionnaire which contains questions relevant to modern slavery.

Answers provide us with a greater understanding of the risk of modern slavery within a supplier’s supply chains or operations and enable us to work with a supplier to reduce the risks identified. We will actively and progressively improve our understanding and oversight of all tiers of our supply chains.

Operations

Modern Slavery Policy
Biotao maintains a Modern Slavery Policy (this Policy) outlining our approach to reducing the risk of modern slavery practices within our supply chains and operations. The Policy provides guidance on the steps Biotao takes to work with suppliers to reduce risks and the range of supports available for when Biotao staff becomes aware that someone is at risk of or affected by modern slavery practices.

Incorporating modern slavery into other policies
When existing policies undergo review or new polices are under development, Biotao are required to identify existing modern slavery commitments that can be enhanced, or where modern slavery protections can be incorporated.

Human Resources
We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce and we maintain a suite of policies that are informed by and compliant with Australian workplace and  occupational health and safety law. We ensure that our volunteers are engaged on a truly voluntary and non-exploitative basis.

Biotao is committed to a high level of integrity and ethical standards in all of its business practices. As part of this commitment, Biotao has zero tolerance for Bribery and Corruption.

The purpose of this Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy (Policy) is to set clear standards for how all staff should behave, to prevent Bribery and Corruption in Biotao's business practices.

The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy is a key element of Biotao Corporate Governance program.

Scope

This policy applies to all Biotao employees, and contractors (including temporary contractors) of Biotao wherever located. In certain circumstances the obligations set out in this Policy may extend to employee and contractors connected persons.

Employees must exercise personal judgement to determine whether the acceptance or offering of a Gift to, or by a Connected Persons, could constitute a Bribe.

This policy is not limited to the workplace or work hours. This policy extends to all functions and work related activities, which include work lunches, conferences, Christmas parties and other function or dealings that may be associated with Biotao's business or reputation.

Definitions

Bribe

Bribe is an inducement or reward offered, promised or provided with the intention of influencing a person to do or omit to do anything in the performance of their role or function, in order to obtain business or an advantage that is not legitimately due Bribes may be durable or consumable, and may include one or more of the following, non-exhaustive examples:

• Gifts;
• Discounts;
• Benefits and ‘perks” to relatives including employment, education and training;
• Unwarranted allowances or expenses;
• Kickbacks or Secret Commissions;
• Facilitation payments;
• Donation to a Biotao Fundraiser, Political or charitable donations;
• Community outreach and stakeholder engagement expenses;

Bribery

Bribery is the act of offering, promising, giving, accepting or of a Bribe.

Connected Person

A connected person means a spouse, partner, child, step-child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or step-sibling of staff or of the staff’s spouse or partner.

Corrupt business

Corrupt business means dishonest activity in which an Employee acts contrary to the interests of Biotao and abuses his/her position of trust in order to achieve some personal gain or advantage for him or herself or for another person or entity or Biotao.

Employee

See staff.

Facilitation payment

Facilitation payment means a minor payment or other inducement provided to a Public Official in order to secure or expedite a routine government action which the Public Official is already ordinarily obliged to perform.

Gift

Gift means the free provision of a good or service in association with Biotao business that holds objective material value or confers some benefit either to the recipient or their Connected Persons, of Biotao. Gifts may be durable or consumable and may include things such as a meal, discounts, tickets or invitations to a sporting, entertainment or cultural event, a gift voucher, a donation to a Biotao fundraiser, political or charitable donation, or other tokens of appreciation.

Kick-Back/Secret Commission

Kick-Back/Secret Commission means an undisclosed payment (or something of value) that is offered or provided to an agent or representative of a person or company in order to influence the conduct of the business of the principal.

Staff

Staff includes managers and supervisors; full-time, part-time or casual, temporary or permanent staff; job candidates; student placements, apprentices, contractors, sub-contractors and volunteers.

Policy

Bribes

Staff may not:

• authorise, offer, promise or give a bribe, whether directly or indirectly, to anyone;
• accept, receive, solicit, request, demand, authorise or agree to accept or receive or take a Bribe from anyone.

whether in the course of their employment or in any dealings that may be associated with Biotao business.

Gifts

It is recognised that Gifts can be provided for building legitimate business relationships and other legitimate business purposes. All Employees are required to follow the rules and procedures set out in the Biotao Gift Policy to manage the risk Gifts pose because they may compromise or have the appearance of compromising objectivity in exercising business judgment.

Facilitation Payments

Facilitation payments are prohibited under this Policy.

Corrupt Business

Employees must not, directly or indirectly, authorise, undertake or participate in any form of corrupt business practice (such as a scheme that gives any improper benefit, kick-back or secret commission to anyone) whether for their own benefit or the benefit of Biotao.

Charitable Contributions

Genuine charitable support and donations are acceptable whether of in-kind services, knowledge, time, or direct financial contributions. However, staff must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used as a scheme to conceal bribery.

Biotao should ordinarily only make charitable donations to an organisation that has a deductible gift recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office. This status makes the organisation entitled to receive income tax deductible gifts and deductible contributions.

Exceptions to this may be the case for organisations with an established relationship

No donation must be offered or made on behalf of Biotao without the prior approval of the Principle.

Financial Records

All accounts, invoices, memoranda and other documents and records relating to dealings with third parties, such as clients, suppliers and business contacts, should be prepared and maintained with strict accuracy and completeness. Accounts must not be kept "off-book" to facilitate or conceal improper payments. It is an offence under the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Proceeds of Crime and Other Measures) Act 2016 for a person to make, alter, destroy or conceal an accounting document (including being reckless in their conduct which allowed such an act) to facilitate, conceal or disguise the corrupt conduct.

Policy Breach

Where an Employee becomes aware of a breach, an allegation of breach, or suspects a breach of this policy that Employee must immediately report the breach to the principle

Biotao will treat all reported breaches confidentially, to the extent possible, and will take all reasonable steps to protect any Employee who raises legitimate concerns in good faith from any adverse consequences.

Investigations into reported breaches will be carried out by the principle or his/her delegate.

A breach of this Policy is considered to be a breach of the Biotao Code of Conduct ‘the Code’. The consequences of such a breach will depend upon the severity of the breach and are set out in the Code.

Training

Biotao recognises the need for staff and contractors to be appropriately trained as such Anti-Bribery and Corruption training is provided and checked as a part of the skills register.

Monitoring

The policy will be reviewed for effectiveness on a regular basis. A Biotao audit and report not less than 12 monthly summarising activities under this Policy.

The purpose of Biotao's Corporate Social Responsibility Policy is to provide guidance and expectations of behaviour for Biotao's employees and contractors.

It is also to provide guidiance and expectations of suppliers, partners and clients as to the way in which we do business and what we expect of them.

Scope

This policy applies to Biotao's business, its employees, and contractors. It may also refer to suppliers and partners.

Policy Elements

Biotao want to be a responsible business that meets the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

Our business's social responsibility falls under two categories: compliance and proactiveness. Compliance refers to our company’s commitment to legality and willingness to observe community values. Proactiveness is every initiative to promote human rights, help communities and protect our natural environment.

Compliance

Legality

Our company will:

• Respect the law
• Honor its internal policies
• Ensure that all its business operations are legitimate
• Keep every partnership and collaboration open and transparent

Business ethics

We’ll always conduct business with integrity and respect to human rights. We’ll promote:

• Safety and fair dealing
• Respect toward the consumer
• Anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices

Proactiveness

Donations and Initiatives

Our company may preserve a budget to make monetary donations and/or undertake initiatives.

Volunteering

Biotao will encourage its employees, contractors, suppliers and clients to volunteer. They can volunteer through programs organised internally or externally. Our company may sponsor volunteering events from other organisations.

Environment

Aside from our legal obligations, Biotao will proactively protect the environment and seek to remediate environmental impacts caused by humans.

This is achieved by;

• Implementing and maintaining a robust program for waste and resource management, and
• Implementing and maintaining a program of agricultural and ecological regeneration.

Supporting the community

Biotao may initiate and support community investment and educational programs that support our vision and mission.

Learning

We will actively invest in R&D both internally and externally. We will be open to suggestions and listen carefully to ideas. Biotao will try to continuously improve the way it operates.

Implementation

Biotao will implement its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy by developing and implementing the following policies;

• 1.D Fair Trade Policy
• 1.E Contracts Policy
• 1.F Privacy Policy
• 1.G Employment Policy
• 1.H Workplace Bullying Policy
• 1.I Dismissal Policy
• 1.J Contractor Policy
• 1.K Intellectual Property Policy
• 2. Code of Conduct Policy
• Work Health and Safety Policy
• Safe Work Method Statements
• Standard Operating Procedures

Monitoring

The Corporate Social Responsibility Policy and its importance will be communicated to the whole team regularly. Business wide updates including our standing and areas of improvement will be communicated and discussed at management and toolbox meetings.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Policy will be analysed to produce key performance indicators and it will be the principle and farm manager’s responsibility to develop best practice solutions throughout the Biotao's operations and monitor them.

Biotao has developed this Plan to ensure wastes are reduced, reused and recycled wherever possible.

Biotao is also commited to meeting legislative requirements and exceeding community expections.

The Waste Management Plan outlines measures to manage and mitigate waste generation and resource consumption during the Biotao's Operations.

The Plan includes details on the following:

• The types and quantities of waste generated during operation;
• Procedures to collect and dispose of waste;
• Measures that will be implemented to minimise waste generation associated with the developments and operations; and
• A program for monitoring the effectiveness of these measures.

The Waste Management Plan is designed to support an ecological based management approach underpinned by adaptive management principles.

Surplus or waste materials arise from either the materials imported to, or from those generated on sites of operation. Imported materials are those which are brought to the site for inclusion in the operations. Generated materials are those that occur during the daily operations of the site i.e. damaged stock and waste water.

This Plan also considers other aspects to waste management such as waste reduction, segregation of waste, disposal of waste, financial impacts of waste disposal and recording, monitoring, education and reviewing. This Plan outlines the waste management procedures that have been put in place and demonstrate the benefits to the environment, how we can measure the effects and how these procedures and practices are sustainable.

Waste Types

The operations of Biotao generates a range of surplus/waste materials including but not limited to;

• Biological
• General Waste
• obsolete/worn infrastructure
• Contaminated/Hazardous Wastes

Waste Categories

The following table provides an overview of potential wastes, their classification and avenues of disposal.

Waste materials fall into four main categories for management, which include:

• Re use;
• Recycle;
• Residual wastes; and
• Landfill.

Re-use
If surplus materials can be used in future operations they are classified as materials which can be re-used. Materials that can be reused in their present form and are surplus to requirements will need to be removed from sites of operation for other reuse opportunities. The surplus products will be labelled and storage area recorded for future reference.

Recycling
If surplus materials cannot be reused in their present form but could be used in a different form, they will be sent to recycling or labelled as future recycling.

Residual Waste
Residual waste can come in several forms including:

• Waste that cannot be disposed of due to its category, class or material (e.g. old tyres, metals and contaminated waste). Ways of reusing or disposing of the waste from the sites of operation needs to found; and
• Unused machinery, spare parts or discarded parts. All items of this nature will be identified and dated. These items will be assessed quarterly to gauge their importance for potential future use. Once an item is deemed to have little or no future potential to be utilised, it will be either assessed for reuse in another form or disposed of from the site.

Residual waste can be an eyesore, fire hazard and has potential to impact on the environment through leachates. All residual wastes will be identified and new residual wastes will be added to the residual waste catalogue for auditing. Residual wastes that are deemed essential or have the potential for future use will be stored in a neat and tidy manner and where possible under cover to avoid or reduce the potential for further corrosion or damage to the product.

Landfill
If the above options cannot be satisfied then the only alternative left is to send the surplus materials to landfill. This should be considered an option of last resort.

Waste Collection and Disposal

Chemicals
Storage of waste chemicals such as oils will be held to an absolute minimum on sites of operation. Containers with waste oil or other chemicals will be stored within impervious bunds.

Adequate absorption materials shall be readily available to collect and recover any liquid spillages. Chemical wastes will be disposed of through an approved waste contractor.

Contaminated / Hazardous Wastes

All materials generated by Biotao will be fully evaluated for potential contamination.

Notice to staff will be given immediately if hazardous materials or conditions are found onsite that are in unprotected environments including the following:

• Asbestos or material containing asbestos;
• Flammable or explosive liquids or gases;
• Toxic or contaminated materials;
• Radiation or radioactive materials;
• Noxious or explosive chemicals;
• Tanks, containers or other contaminated substances.

Depending on the type of material and the danger level of the material, storage and handling procedures may be required. Biotao operations should not require high volume highlevel hazardous products to be on sites of operation.

If contaminated wastes are evident, the Unit Manager/Farm Manager will be advised so that arrangements can be made for the engagement of appropriately qualified specialists in hazardous materials handling. Any contaminated waste will be managed in accordance with relevant WH&S policies.

Waste Minimisation

Wastes from the Biotao's operation have the potential to impact on the environment and the viability of the our activities. The Waste Management Plan has been developed to manage the risk associated with the potential impacts including minimising waste generation.

Biotao will implement all possible waste minimisation procedures and therefor reduce the amount of waste to be removed from sites of operation. Management, staff, design teams, contractors and suppliers will all be encouraged to look at ways to minimise the amount of waste generated at sites of operation.

Biotao will follow the following priciples in minimising waste from our operations;

• Sourcing tools and supplies that can be reasonably maintained and repaired under normal use for their purpose.
• Building capacity for in-house operational manufacturing, repairs and maintence.
• A program of correctly idenifying tools and supplies required for operational capacity and having plans inplace to recover and reuse surplus to needs tools and supplies.

The Manager, Farm Manager or appointed delegate will be responsible for ensuring the instruction of workers and contractors, implementation and overseeing of the Waste Management Plan during induction processes.

The onsite induction relating to waste management will include advice on appropriate separation, handling, recycling, reuse methods to be used by all parties conducting operations were applicable.

Regular toolbox meetings will include discussion of waste management issues and updates on how to minimise wastes.

The monitoring of wastes generated will provide an opportunity to review the wastes being generated and ways in which they can be reduced.

Training

Biotao recognises the need for staff and contractors to be appropriately trained in the tasks that they are to undertake to reduce the chance of wastes being produced.

Monitoring

Biotao is committed to minimising the risks associated with the generation of wastes in our operations.

The monitoring of the quantity and types of wastes being generated by the Biotao operations will be recorded in the wastes log book and kept electronically at all times so that regular reviews can be undertaken.

All products that are considered to be of a concern in relation to the waste being generated will be replaced were possible for products that are less wasteful and/or considered to be environmentally friendly.

All waste storage containers will be inspected weekly to ensure that they are maintained in a condition appropriate for their use and containment of the specific waste.

Skips and/or bins will need to be monitored regularly to ensure that cross contamination doesn’t occur. All waste removed from site including products for reuse will also be monitored to ensure no cross contamination.

Biotao will continue to review the type of surplus materials produced and were possible change operation processes to minimise products that go to landfill. Intact recovery, recycling or reuse of wastes are a priority.

The Waste Management Plan and its importance will be communicated to the whole team regularly. Business wide updates including improved recovery and recycling amounts will be communicated and discussed at management and toolbox meetings.

The Waste Management Plan will be analysed to produce key performance indicators and it will be the principle and farm manager’s responsibility to develop best practice solutions throughout the Biotao's operations and monitor them.