Building in a Bush Fire Prone Area
Bush fire is a major challenge for the community. It has been a natural part of our landscape for thousands of years and remains an ever-present threat. All developments on land that is designated as bush fire prone have a legal obligation to consider bush fire and meet the requirements of Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 and AS3959 – 1999.
This part of the website contains information that promotes an understanding of bush fire behaviour, bush fire assessment reports and the legal frame work that governs the planning process for proposed developments on bush fire prone land in NSW. Information within this section would be relevant to current and future home owners, developers, planners, councils, fire authorities and other government organisations.
Building in a Bush Fire Prone Area is broken into five main sections with key documents located in the publications section. A summary of each of these sections is outlined below:
Planning for Bush Fire Protection
This section provides a basic background to the document Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006. It also provides information regarding the origin of current bush fire requirements, the meaning of bush fire prone land and the options available in getting assistance with bush fire related matters. The following pages are provided in this section:
- Why consider bush fire?
- What is a bush fire prone area?
- How to use Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006
- Acceptable Solutions and Performance Criteria
- Where can I get help?
- Dictionary
- FAQ’s
Types of Development
The classification of a particular development type on bush fire prone land will influence the applicable protection measures and the way that the application is assessed. This section addresses the following development types:
- Infill and Other (Building Construction and Additions)
- Residential Subdivision
- Special Fire Protection Purpose
- Major Projects
- Local Environment Plans
- Development Control Plans
Legal Obligations
This section provides information regarding the legal frame work that is relevant to developing on bush fire prone land. This section also addresses the requirements for a bush fire report and the assessment time frames for the NSW Rural Fire Service to process development applications. The following pages are provided in this section:
Bush Fire Protection Measures
There are a number of bush fire protection measures that can be incorporated in to a proposed development to minimise the bush fire impact on life and property. The six bush fire protection measures that are addressed in Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 and in this section include:
- Asset Protection Zones
- Access
- Building Construction & Design
- Water Supply & Utilities
- Landscaping
- Emergency Management Arrangements
In order to appreciate how each of the above protection measures work, a basic understanding of bush fire behaviour and bush fire impact is required. This information can also be found in this section.
Tools for Assessment
This section provides information regarding the currently available tools developed by the NSW Rural Fire Service for the assessment of proposed developments on bush fire prone land. The following information is provided in this section:
Publications
The key documentation relevant to the development of bush fire prone land include:
Single Dwelling Application Kit – This document has been developed to assist applicants in preparing a bush fire assessment report for a single dwelling or alterations and additions to an existing dwelling.
Australian Standard 3959 – Construction of buildings in bush fire prone areas (abridged version) – This is an abridged version of Australian Standard 3959: Construction of Buildings in Bush Fire Prone Areas (AS3959) and provides some detail for the construction of buildings in bush fire prone areas. Please do not use this abridged version alone. The full version can be purchased from Standards Australia at www.standards.org.au.
Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 - This document provides the necessary planning considerations when developing areas for residential use in residential, rural residential, rural and urban areas when development sites are in close proximity to areas likely to be affected by bushfire events and replaces Planning for Bushfire Protection 2001.
Click on the text link above to download a copy of the document or individual chapters/appendices below or purchase a copy through the NSW Government Online Shop or phone on +61 (2) 9228 6333.
Fast Facts, Development Control Notes and Development Control Practice Notes are documents that provide clarification or additional information to Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006.
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