Bushfire Opportunities & Constraints

  One of the fundamental questions clients have for us regarding the development of a site is what can we safely do and what are the legislative requirements for the development type. New development has considerable bushfire requirements from setback from the hazard, design...
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NSW Legislative Changes for infill development on bushfire prone land

As of 1 March 2018, cosmetic changes to the structure of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act), take effect as it relates to development in bushfire prone areas. Section 79BA is now section 4.14. Section 79BA of the Environmental Planning and Assessment...
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Bushfires & living in the bush

Bushfire has been part of the natural environment of the Australian continent for thousands of years. The forest and grassland environments have adapted to accommodate this as have the original inhabitants. The frequency and intensity of bushfires varies throughout the landscape...
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Wayfinding – Learning from the Past

We are surrounded by clues to our past. As we design communities, planners give a nod to people, places or significant events that shape or give rise to that form. Examples might be “The Broadway” for a wide boulevard, “Scribbly Gum Crescent” for an area...
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Great Ocean Road Post Bushfire Resilience Guideline

Guideline for Building in Bushfire Prone Areas Wye River & Separation Creek The 2015 Christmas Day Bushfires resulted in the loss of 116 houses in Wye River and Separation Creek on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. The government and community have worked together to not only...
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What can be done to increase the resilience of houses in the Flame Zone?

The management of bushfires is a shared responsibility at all levels of society. In general terms, an acceptable level of protection from bush fires can be achieved through a combination of strategies which: Put standards in place (such as AS3959 and Planning for Bushfire...
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CFA BAL

Living in the Bushfire Flame Zone

I heard an interesting comment recently, that it is “Not a good idea to live in the flame zone.” For many people living on the bush interface, this is not an option. The highest level of bushfire attack level (BAL) is known as BAL Flame Zone. Australian Standard (AS 395...
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Reducing the Bushfire Risk

Bushfires of low or moderate intensity often pose little threat to life, property and community assets. However, bushfires that burn in heavy fuels, steep terrain or on hot, dry and windy days often spread rapidly, crown in forests, produce powerful convection columns and create...
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