HIA Supports New Bushfire Building Regulations

HIA is particularly pleased the Government has adopted the national version of the new building standard for bushfire prone areas. The standard will apply in Victoria from Wednesday March 11.

HIA Acting Victorian Executive Director Robert Harding said the move would ensure national consistency. “It will avoid the confusion that would have existed if an interim set of standards had been applied in our state,” he said.

“HIA recognises that the standard will be based on the 1090K flame temperature and that this will mean more Victorian homes are affected by the new standard. However, the extent of this is unlikely to be clear for a few weeks,” Mr Harding said.

HIA is also pleased that the State Government has retained the ability for homes in bushfire prone areas to require building approval only, rather than having to undergo complex and time consuming planning approvals.

“The decision to ensure that new homes in bushfire prone areas can still rely on the current building approval process and not be caught in the planning system is sensible. It will ensure Victorians affected by the recent tragic fires can get approval to rebuild quickly,” Mr Harding said.

HIA has been working closely with the Government since the February 7 bushfires to consider a range of issues that need to be addressed.

“The new standard is just one aspect of the response. HIA will be making a submission to the Royal Commission, and provide input when requested, regarding an array of factors that affect building in bushfire prone areas including appropriate land zoning, subdivision designs, vegetation management and buffer zones,” Mr Harding said.