St Andrews bushfire information & building standards info in reagrds to fire

The CFA just called me back & gave me the info I was waiting for...

Most of St Andrews is covered by a "Wildfire Management Overlay". All applications for a planning permit are forwarded to the CFA for examination.

People need to read this document...

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/documents/wmo_applicants_kit.pdf

Basically when you plan to build in a wildfire management zone you need to identify the vegetation , look at the water courses & availability, etc.

There is also a new standard for buildings - Australian Standard 3959-2009 (for construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. This was recently reviewed & there is significant new changes regarding the vegetation type & how, what & where you are allowed to build.

this is the document that people will need to read

http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/Building_Commission-BAL_Guide_(3).pdf

this is a summary of the standard. In any case the building surveyor will do the bushfire attack assessment, before any permits are issued, changes will often need to be made to plans regarding site, vegetation near house etc.

the building commission is responsibile for building permits.

www.buildingcommission.com.au

New Residential Building Standard

Practice Notes: The Commission is finalising an updated version of PN 42 that provides advice in relation to the new AS 3959 - 2009. The Practice Note will also include advice in relation to

• assessing a site under the new Standard in fire affected areas where the vegetation has been destroyed
• implementation processes where the allotment is in a wildfire management overlay.

Practice Note 46 will be revoked as the new Standard addresses the use of nominated timber species.Planning permit exemption for rebuild of destroyed homes in a WMO.

Building Act and Regulations: The Building Amendment (Bushfire Construction) Interim Regulations 2009 have been incorporated into the Building Regulations 2006. The consolidated Regulations can be found here. The new Regulations adopt the new Standard AS 3959 - 2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. The Standard is available for purchase from SAI Global, Standards Australia publication arm or can be obtained through SAI Global's "BCA + Referenced Standards" if you have a current subscription to that product.

From 11 March 2009, the new Victorian residential building standard will see new and replacement homes designed, constructed and located with improved bushfire protection to the new Australian Standard (AS 3959). \The new residential building standard has been introduced into the Building Regulations 2006. The Victorian Government has adopted the new standard to expedite rebuilding bushfire affected homes without compromising safety.

If a building is to be rebuilt, renovated or repaired in bushfire prone areas, the work needs to take the new residential building standard into account. Building designers or architects need to advise consumers on how best to achieve this. To find out if building work needs to comply, it is important to contact the relevant local Council's Municipal Building Surveyor or Private Building Surveyor.

You may need a planning permit to rebuild your permanent house. To find out more download guide to building in Victoria after the bushfires (735KB). For further information about the new residential building standard contact the Building Commission's on 1300 360 380 or email publicrelations@buildingcommission.com.au.