This Fire Note outlines the results of a case study undertaken in Tamborine Mountain in south east Queensland that investigated awareness of bushfire risk. The area is characterised by escarpments, tall open forests and sub-tropical rainforest. The predominant level of bushfire risk is rated as high. The study area is peri-urban and incorporates residential, rural and farming properties.

The study used a mixed methods approach to explore agreements and differences in the perceptions and expectations of fire services and the community. Initially, a number of individual and group interviews were undertaken with members of the local fire brigades and community groups to identify bushfire issues in the area.

A self-completion questionnaire was designed to collect data on a wide range of social factors. Five hundred questionnaires were delivered in May 2005 and an overall response rate of 33 percent was achieved with a total of 163 completed surveys returned.