Building in bushfire areas (Vic)

Prior to building in a Bushfire Area, there are a number of factors you need to consider when applying for the relevant council and government permits. In order to comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the category of risk needs to be identified first and then the design needs to comply with relevant BCA and Australian Standards. The process below provides some useful steps in determining what the design requirements for your next project will be.  

• Firstly determine if there is a bushfire overlay on the site prior to making a planning application. This is referred to as a Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO). The relevant local council or the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) may be able to assist prior to preparing a planning application or simply search on the Land Victoria website; http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/content/addressSearch
• Next, the category of bushfire attack needs to be determined by doing a site assessment in accordance with Australian Standard 3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS 3959).  The site assessment can be carried out using the Country Fire Authority’s WMO application kit or alternatively by engaging a fire engineer if you have a more complex designs or difficult site. The WMO application kit can be downloaded from the CFA’s website: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/publications/homesafety.htm
• Once the bushfire overlay and category of bushfire attack has been established, the next step would be to apply for a planning permit, noting the proposed category of bushfire attack in the plans or supporting documents. The CFA then makes a decision for the local council, during the planning permit assessment, as to whether they agree with the bushfire risk assessment.
• Following planning permit approval, the next step is to apply for a building permit. The bushfire category again needs to be noted on the application to enable the relevant building surveyor to ensure the building has been designed to comply with the BCA Part 3.7.4 – Bushfire Areas and AS 3959 for the relevant risk category. There are four levels of construction under AS 3959 - Low, Medium, High or Extreme.
• The building work must then be constructed in accordance with the BCA and AS 3959, as designed and approved.   

For further information HIA members can contact HIA’s Building Services staff on 1300 650 620 or hia_technical@hia.com.au. 

If you would like to become a HIA member, contact 1300 650 620 or enquiry@hia.com.au