Rebuild Support Service Update
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Rebuild Support
Service Update MAY/JUNE 2021
Registration with the Rebuild creating greater separation between a • There must be at least 2m clearance
Support Service dwelling and threat vegetation. between the lowest tree branches
The Rebuild Support Service (RSS) is Bushfire Management Overlay: and ground level.
a free service to bushfire impacted The Bushfire Management Overlay • Within 10m of a building, flammable
residents that has already helped many (BMO) is a planning control that applies objects must not be located close
people begin their rebuild process. If to bushfire prone areas with particularly to vulnerable parts of the building,
you think the service may be helpful for high risk of bushfires. Most properties in such as windows, doors, decking
your rebuild, or you would just like to East Gippsland are covered by the BMO. or eaves.
make contact to discuss your options, Water supply:
For house construction in the BMO, there
you can register by completing this form:
is a requirement to obtain a planning Where dwellings are built in bushfire
https://bit.ly/3ammMNY
permit. prone areas, there is a need to provide
The planning permit application needs a dedicated water supply for firefighting
Rebuild information to ensure that mandatory bushfire purposes.
Requirements for building a protection measures are appropriately This water cannot be used for domestic
dwelling in a bushfire prone addressed, including construction to purposes or used on a garden. The
area: the designated BAL rating, defendable amount of water required for property
New houses built in Victoria must meet all space, ongoing vegetation management, defense depends on the size of the lot.
of the Victorian building regulations that and water supply and access. The BAL rating of a home does not affect
are current at the time of construction. Defendable space: the water supply requirements.
East Gippsland, as with a lot of Victoria, Defendable space refers to an area A water tank for firefighting needs to
is deemed to be a bushfire prone area. around a proposed building where meet the following requirements:
In addition to other building requirements, vegetation and other flammable • Above ground tank constructed of
dwellings built in bushfire prone areas are materials are managed to a low-threat concrete or metal.
required to have a Bushfire Attack Level level, to reduce the fire risk to the building • All fixed above-ground water pipes
(BAL) assessment and meet construction and its occupants. and fittings required for firefighting
requirements for the applicable BAL
In an area designated as defendable purposes are to be made of corrosion-
rating.
space, the following requirements apply: resistant metal.
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating:
• Grass must be short cropped and • Include a separate outlet for occupant
A BAL rating is a measure of possible fire maintained during declared fire use.
intensity at a proposed house location. danger periods. The following additional requirements
BAL ratings are assessed by a range • All leaves and vegetation debris apply only where 10,000 litres water
of factors, including distance of the
must be removed at regular intervals supply is needed:
proposed house to threat vegetation,
during declared fire danger periods. • Readily identifiable from the building
type of vegetation, and the slope of
the land. • No plants greater than 10 centimetres or with appropriate signage to the
in height are allowed within 3 metres satisfaction of the CFA.
There are 6 BAL ratings: LOW, 12.5, 19,
of a window. • Located within 60m of the furthest
29, 40 and FZ (flame zone).
• Shrubs must not be located under edge of the building.
Construction requirements get
the canopy of trees. • The outlet/s of the water tank must
progressively more stringent as the
BAL rating increases. A house must be • Individual shrubs and clumps of be within 4m of the accessway and
designed and built in accordance with shrubs must not exceed 5 square unobstructed.
the property’s assessed BAL rating, to metres and must be separated by • Incorporate a 65mm separate ball
meet or exceed all the construction at least 5m. or gate valve and coupling.
requirements for this rating. • Trees must not overhang or touch • Pipework and fittings to be a minimum
It may be possible to reduce a BAL any part of the building. of 65mm (excluding the CFA coupling).
rating by relocating a dwelling to a • Tree canopies must be separated by
different footprint of a property or at least 5m.
1
Rebuild Support Report Overview Rebuild Support Service – May 2021
Service Update
The following graph and table show the status of the East Gippsland Shire Council Rebuild Support Service:
MAY/JUNE 2021
East Gippsland Shire Council Rebuild
EastSupport Service
Gippsland Shire MaySupport
Council Rebuild 2021Service
Status
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
06-Nov-20
13-Nov-20
20-Nov-20
27-Nov-20
02-Apr-21
09-Apr-21
16-Apr-21
23-Apr-21
30-Apr-21
07-May-21
07-Aug-20
14-Aug-20
21-Aug-20
28-Aug-20
04-Sep-20
11-Sep-20
18-Sep-20
25-Sep-20
02-Oct-20
09-Oct-20
16-Oct-20
23-Oct-20
30-Oct-20
04-Dec-20
11-Dec-20
18-Dec-20
25-Dec-20
01-Jan-21
08-Jan-21
15-Jan-21
22-Jan-21
29-Jan-21
05-Feb-21
12-Feb-21
19-Feb-21
26-Feb-21
05-Mar-21
12-Mar-21
19-Mar-21
26-Mar-21
17-Jul-20
24-Jul-20
31-Jul-20
Referred to Bushfire Rebuilding Support Service Applications in preparation No Permit Required Planning Applications Lodged Under Assessment Planning Permits Approved
East Gippsland Shire Council Rebuild Support Service
Referred to Rebuilding Support Service 176
Applications in Preparation 56
No Permit Required 22
Advice Only – No Further Action / Private Consultant 21
Not Rebuilding 14
Other Status 89
Planning Permit Application Approved 45
Planning Permit Application Lodged 9
Assessment and determination of Planning Permits
Planning Applications Lodged 135
Under Assessment 8
Planning Permits Approved 124
If the required water supply is 5,000 • Incorporate a turning area for fire Committee (BRAC), approved for use by
litres, the requirements for CFA fittings fighting vehicles close to the building. the Building Appeals Board, or certified
and access for fire trucks do not apply. • Incorporate passing bays at least by a registered fire safety engineer.
The water supply is for occupant use in every 200m which must be at least BRAC has accredited four private
the event of a fire and it is acceptable 20m long and have a minimum bushfire shelters from three companies
to provide standard tank fittings, though trafficable width of 6m. – Wildfire Safety Bunkers, Frankston
residents are advised to consider fittings Bushfire shelters: Concrete Products and Innovative
that would enable a water pump to be For people who stay to defend their Building Systems.
attached. homes or find themselves unable to leave, A building permit is required to install
Access: a private bushfire shelter can provide a bushfire shelter on your property.
Where access for firefighting purposes temporary refuge from the immediate Any bushfire shelter installed without a
needs to be provided on a property, it life-threatening effects of a bushfire. building permit could place its occupants
must meet the following requirements: Such shelters should not be considered at serious risk of injury or even death if
• All weather construction. a substitute for creating a bushfire plan it is used during a bushfire.
and leaving early. The Victorian Building Authority advises
• A load limit of at least 15 tonnes.
Bushfire shelters must meet strict very strongly against the construction
• A minimum road/track width of and installation of do-it-yourself bushfire
performance requirements set out in
3.5m. shelters, such as those constructed from
the National Construction Code, such
• Be clear of encroachments for at as having safe access and maintaining converted water tanks and shipping
least 0.5m on each side and at least acceptable internal conditions when containers. It is illegal to build a bushfire
4m vertically. occupied during a bushfire. In Victoria, shelter, claiming it is for storage or
• Designed to comply with rules around private bushfire shelters must be accredited other purposes, when it is intended as
curve radius, gradients and dips. by the Building Regulations Advisory a refuge during a bushfire.
2Rebuild Support
Service Update MAY/JUNE 2021
Planning and building changes Owners of complex sites face greater and orientation of the dwelling on
since 2009 Black Saturday challenges building a home that is safe the property, building design, BAL
Bushfires to live in, at reasonable cost. construction level and site-specific fire
The Black Saturday Bushfires that The RSS actively works with owners of mitigation measures.
impacted Victorian communities in complex sites to investigate pathways CSTF advice is provided back to the
2009 killed 173 people and destroyed through to a rebuild, in collaboration resident via the RSS, usually in about
over 2,000 houses. with other agencies as required, 5-6 weeks from when the referral was
The Victorian Bushfires Royal including CFA and DELWP. In some made. It is also provided to Council’s
Commission that was set up following cases, to date, a planning permit planning department.
these fires made 67 recommendations has been successfully negotiated Recommendations from the CSTF,
to strengthen preparedness and for residents whose properties were whilst not formal legal requirements,
response to fire events. 19 of these originally considered complex. are considered expert advice by
recommendations related to planning Bushfire Recovery Case Support workers Council and the referral authorities.
and building, of which the following are also work with owners on further options For high risk, complex sites, a voluntary
the changes that have most impacted for support. It is highly recommended resettlement program is available as an
how planning applications for bushfire that owners of complex properties option for owners, to sell their property
rebuilds are assessed. connect with case support. to the Victorian Government at an
• Amended Victorian Planning agreed site value. This is offered as
Provisions to give priority to the Complex Site Taskforce a last resort for eligible landowners.
protection of human life. The Complex Site Taskforce (CSTF) is
• Amended guidelines for the CFA’s an independent panel of experts set up Government rebates
assessment of permit applications. by the Victorian Government to provide There are a range of rebates available
• Enduring planning permit conditions specific advice and recommendations through the state government to assist
to create and maintain minimum for rebuilding on properties that are in meeting some rebuild expenses.
defendable space for the life of the considered complex. Landowners must
• Bushfire Recovery Planning and
development. have used the property as their primary
Building Assistance Rebate Program:
• Include reducing the risk of ember place of residence to qualify for referral
For professional services and
attack as an objective of the to the CSTF.
assessments to support planning
Australian Standard for Construction Some East Gippsland residents have
and building permit applications.
of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas. now taken up the opportunity to be
referred to the CSTF for specialist • Rainwater and Septic Tank
More stringent requirements add to the Replacement Program: To replace
cost of rebuilding after a fire, but these advice.
rainwater and/or septic tanks at a
measures have been put in place or CSTF referrals are made by the RSS, but
primary place of residence.
strengthened to help preserve life and property owners need to give written
property in future fire events. consent for the referral to be made. • Geotechnical Assessment Rebate
If the landowner chooses not to be Program: To undertake geotechnical
Complex sites referred, then details regarding the assessments.
While rebuilding a home is not easy property will not be provided to the Each of these programs has specific
and takes time, most landowners have CSTF. funding limits and eligibility criteria, so
what is considered a typical rebuild, Taskforce members do not visit the you are encouraged to speak with your
where it is relatively straightforward to property or hold discussions with Recovery Case Support Worker or one
obtain planning and building permits, to landowners; they use their expertise of the Bushfire Recovery Victoria hub
enable construction of the new dwelling. in bushfire behaviour, planning, risk coordinators to discuss your eligibility
However, some rebuilds will be complex assessment and housing design to and for assistance to apply. In all cases,
and this is generally due to having a review property details and provide the rebate is offered as a reimbursement
high Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating advice. This advice is tailored to of costs that you have incurred, so you
or being located in an area with a very the individual property and may should keep invoices and receipts as
high fire risk. include recommendations on location you will need these to apply.
3Rebuild Support
Service Update MAY/JUNE 2021
Useful links
Obtain a copy of your certificate of title and other land CFA
documents at www.landata.vic.gov.au https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/
Find information about wastewater and septic tanks - https://mapshare.vic.gov.au/vicplan/
www.epa.vic.gov.au
DELWP
BRV
https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-
https://www.vic.gov.au/your-property strategy/bushfire
https://www.vic.gov.au/rebuilding-support VBA
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/
bushfire/rebuilding
4- May 2021
BUCHAN
RSS PLANNING
Rebuild Support Service (RSS):
176
20 16 Referred RSS
OMEO
1 ERRINUNDRA-SNOWY In Preparation 56
RSS PLANNING 7
RSS PLANNING
9 3 3 15 No Permit Required 22
5 3
3 0 Planning Permits:
1 1 135
0 3 Planning Applications Lodged
0 2
Under Assessment 8
Planning Permits Approved
124
BAIRNSDALE
RSS PLANNING
45 4
13 4
12 1
4
2
MALLACOOTA
RSS PLANNING
76 54
23 2
CANN VALLEY
5 50
RSS PLANNING
ORBOST
LAKES ENTRANCE 9 7
RSS PLANNING
TWIN RIVERS RSS PLANNING
4 3
BRUTHEN
RSS PLANNING 4 3
RSS PLANNING 4 4 0 4
2 0
1 0 3 1 2 0
0 3
1 0 0 0 1 4
0 0 1 1You can also read
