Planning & Rebuilding Planning & rebuilding
Planning & rebuilding |
Five new roof systems available for bushfire affected homesThe Building Commissioner issued this media release on Thursday 29 October 2009. Victorians planning to rebuild on sites assessed as BAL-FZ* now have the choice of five roofing systems tested to meet the new Australian Standard. Building Commissioner, Tony Arnel, welcomed the results of the testing and encouraged building designers and builders to familiarise themselves with the roofing systems to assist and advise bushfire affected communities to rebuild their homes. “We are pleased to have a range of roofing systems that meet the rigorous testing under the new Standard. It will give people the confidence of knowing that these new roofing systems are suitable for those areas that have been assessed as Bushfire Attack Level-FZ,” Mr Arnel said. “This independent research and testing is a great example of industry partners working together for the greater benefit of the Victorian community.” The new roofing systems tested to meet the new Australian Standard are: • The TBA Firefly Roof System. • Roof tiling systems developed by the Roofing Tile Association of Australia. • Several systems based around roofing made from Bluescope Steel Limited COLORBOND® steel, roof battens made from TRUECORE® steel or timber, fire-resistant insulating board or plywood and timber trusses. • Promat Australia Limited’s main roof solution using PROMATECT® 40 Mineral Bound Magnesia board. • Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited’s Roofing Solutions systems as developed in conjunction with Bluescope Steel Limited and Promat Australia Pty Ltd. The Victorian Government introduced the new residential bushfire construction building Standard, AS 3959-2009 in March 2009 responding to the need to better protect our bushfire affected communities. “This is a great milestone for all those families and homeowners wishing to rebuild after the devastating bushfires and paves the way for these people to have a choice of building systems that contribute to their safety in the future while providing flexibility in design,” said Mr Arnel. * The new Standard sets out six Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) with corresponding construction requirements. BAL-FZ is the highest Bushfire Attack Level. For further information please contact Anne Pavey from the Commissions on: Bushfire BunkersBushfire Shelters To Require Building Permits Victorians who choose to build a bunker or private bushfire shelter on their property will be required to adhere to new regulations. Planning Minister Justin Madden announced interim regulations and an accreditation process for construction of bunkers or private bushfire shelters which will come into effect immediately and provide clarity to Victorians until proposed new national are introduced next year. The Victorian Building Commission has worked in partnership with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee to develop the regulation and accreditation process. “It is absolutely vital that people considering building a bunker or private bushfire shelter are aware of the risks and requirements that they need to meet for such a bunker to be considered a safer place of last resort “ Mr Madden said. “Bunkers or shelters cannot be relied upon to save lives. “Victorians living in bushfire-prone areas should have a Bushfire Survival Plan and be practising it. We understand that there are some people who are considering installing bunkers or private bushfire shelters. “That’s why we are putting in place interim regulations to provide Victorians who do decide to build a bunker or private bushfire shelter with a clear set of guidelines they need to adhere to. This is about ensuring people in bushfire-prone areas have all of the information and are aware of conditions they need to meet. “If people do choose to construct a bunker or private bushfire shelter they will be required to obtain a building permit and adhere to regulations and an accreditation process.”  Under the accreditation system, manufacturers are able to apply to the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for accreditation of their products. The Committee will consider the application taking into account expert and test reports and appraisals. Products accredited by the Committee will receive a Building Regulations Advisory Committee Certificate of Accreditation. “Our Government and agencies are rolling-out significant new measures and record resources for the firefighting effort – there has never been a greater effort to make our state as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible,” Mr Madden said. Mr Madden said in order to obtain a permit to build a fire bunker or private shelter residents would need to purchase a bushfire bunker or shelter which is accredited or satisfy a building surveyor that it meets the requirements contained in the regulations. Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said Consumer Affairs Victoria would work with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to monitor the market to ensure consumers were not misled. “We live in one of the most fire-prone areas in the world and we all need to work together to make our state as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible.” Be Fire Ready Fore more information on being Fire Ready visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more information on the bushfire bunker or private bushfire shelter registration and accreditation process visit www.buildingcommission.com.au The Building Commission has produced a Community Information Sheet to explain the current situation on bunkers. You can download the Information Sheet here. Bushfire_bunkers_Fact_sheet.pdf  Building Commission telephone advice line  A telephone advice service has also been launched to assist people whose homes have been lost or damaged in the bushfires. The Bushfire Building Advice line will operate from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (AEDT) Monday to Friday. Bushfire Building Advice line - 1300 360 320 Archicentre free home design service The free design service, normally valued at more than $2000, includes a site meeting with an architect, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment, a concept design and a construction cost estimate. The free design offer is valid until 31 December 2009 and you are under no obligation to hire the architect or build the home. Should you decide to proceed with the concept design it is up to you to arrange the preparation of more detailed drawings which can be submitted to Council for approval. For more information visit www.archicentre.com.au or call Archicentre on 1300 134 513. Planning Changes to Boost Bushfire Rebuilding A new planning amendment will fast-track rebuilding in Victorian communities devastated by the Black Saturday fires, streamlining the approval process for replacement dwellings. Victorian Planning Provisions and all planning schemes have been amended to make it easier to rebuild damaged or destroyed buildings as a result of the bushfires. The amendments provide an exemption to planning scheme requirements for replacement dwellings, dependent person’s units and agricultural buildings. In most cases the exemption replaces the need for a planning permit. Amendment VC57 amends all planning schemes to enable rebuilding of houses and buildings Bushfire_replacement_buildings_Amendment_VC57.pdf Bushfire Attack Level Under the standards all new homes need to be assessed for their Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). The Building Commission has released a guide to assessing your property’s Bushfire Attack Level. This guide and other information on the new residential building standard is available on the Building Commission website or call 1300 360 320. Bushfire Attack Level Volunteer Assessment Project The Bushfire Attack Level Volunteer Assessment Project is helping residents rebuilding in fire affected communities ensure appropriate construction methods are incorporated in their new home’s design. Approximately 1140 individuals or companies have volunteered some form of assistance with rebuilding devastated communities. However registered builders, surveyors, engineers, building inspectors, designers and architects are still needed as volunteers to conduct assessments of affected sites to help guide property owners through the design and rebuild stage. Anyone wanting to volunteer services or assist with bushfire building queries should contact the Building Commission’s Bushfire Building Advice Line on 1300 360 320. Development Approvals & Native Vegetation Management Work is being done by the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Country Fire Authority to review development approvals and native vegetation management in bushfire risk areas. The review will establish if changes are required to current vegetation controls and management practices to take account of the increased bushfire risk in many parts of Victoria. It will also consider whether landowners have sufficient capacity and understanding of the current regulations to manage vegetation to reduce bushfire risk around their homes. The review will be complete in time to assist with deliberations of the Royal Commission.  |