Bushfire season is coming

In conjunction with the dry winter just passed and with predictions of the hottest summer on record still to come, the threat of a fierce bush fire season is upon us. Also, last year’s devastating bushfire season has brought to light the significance of protecting ones self and home in areas of high fire risk.
 
Under new regulations, local councils throughout the country are required to provide detailed maps of bushfire-prone land in their council area. You may be surprised to find that even suburban areas can be threatened by bushfire.
 
Determining whether your property is located in a designated bushfire risk zone is an important factor to consider when organising building/renovation budgets as the cost of fire retardant building materials is higher and may increase the cost of build by up to 30-40%.
 
Retrospectively, the devastating effects of last summer’s fires have led to an upgrade in requirements of the ‘Australian Standard 3959 - 2009 Building in Bushfire Prone Areas’ and are increasingly enforced throughout bushfire risk areas.

Compliance with the standard is required in construction of new buildings and certain renovations and extensions. This standard is currently being imposed in Victoria and other states will, in time follow suit.
 
For more information about the bushfire standards, contact your local council.
 
If you do live in bush fire prone areas, be sure to follow the below guidelines suggested by the Rural Fire Service to reduce the threat of embers and bushfire affecting your home:

• Clean leaves from gutters, roofs and downpipes regularly and fit quality metal leaf guards.
• Screen vents on roof voids with fine metal wire mesh.
  
• Cut back overhanging trees, keep grass short and rake up flammable leaves, twigs and cuttings.
  
• Do not deposit tree loppings, grass clippings etc behind your property into council reserves or bushland.
  
• Plant trees and shrubs that are less likely to ignite due to their lower oil content.
  
• If you have a swimming pool, place a ‘Static Water Supply’ sign on your front fence. Contact your local fire service for information.
  
• Don’t enter the bush if smoke or fire is in the area. Stay calm and report all fires on 000!

For more information about how to protect yourself and your property, make sure you visit the website of your state fire authority:

NSW: more.nsw.gov.au/bushfires
VIC: cfa.vic.gov.au
QLD: www.fire.qld.gov.au
WA: fesa.wa.gov.au
SA: cfs.sa.gov.au
NT: nt.gov.au/nreta/natres/bushfires
ACT: esa.act.gov.au/
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