New Bushfire Attack Regulations

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER REGULATION

For those unfamiliar with Bushfire Attack Levels- it’s basically a rating/score given to bushfire prone areas. The lowest (and most common) is a BAL 12.5 and the highest we’ve had to deal with was a BAL 29 but could go as high as a BAL 40. With these ratings come requirements that a house needs to comply with. Obviously the higher the rating, the more upgrades you’ll need to your home.

THE CURRENT SYSTEM… IF ANY

Currently, the developers are responsible for assessing the bushfire attack levels to satisfy the requirements of the shire. The confusing part to all of this is not all shires had implemented bushfire attack levels yet. For example, around mid last year an estate in the City of Mandurah stated in their covenants that there were possible bushfire attack levels- only problem was City of Mandurah had not implemented them yet in their policies (this actually was a blessing in disguise for us in Frasers Landing as some of the blocks looked like an old 80’s…….. well, let’s just say there were parts that were very bushy).

THE NEW SYSTEM

Councils have created a “Bushfire Prone” map where if the block in concern falls in this area the builder or ultimately the owner will have to get it assessed by a professional and the block will be given a BAL score. They will then have to build their house accordingly. The new system kicks in April 8th this year.

MY THOUGHTS?

Thanks for asking…

Firstly, this new system sounds like the biggest handball of all time from developers to owners regarding responsibility to assess bushfire attack levels. I mean I’m not sure if they even have to declare that it’s in a bushfire prone area anymore.

Secondly, are these upgrades even necessary?! OK, OK I understand there have been a lot of bushfires in Western Australia of late and I also understand that something had to be done about it. What I don’t understand is how upgrading your front door or putting aluminium mesh flyscreens or sarking your roof or upgrading the thickness of your glazing is going to make much of a difference if there is a bushfire… it almost sounds as if it’s going to be harder to get OUT of your house. I’m no fire expert but surely there’s got to be a smarter, more effective way.

Finally, when building your own home couldn’t the government provide rebates for these requirements that they are implementing… considering approximately 70% of the costs of building a new home are government related?

Anyway, maybe I’m speaking too soon. Maybe once we assess the bushfire prone areas, the bushfire attack levels won’t be that bad. Maybe developers will declare the blocks they are selling will have a BAL. Maybe the government will provide some sort of rebate in the future.

I guess we’ll soon see.

#BAL #housedesign