Country Fire Authority (CFA)CFA Community Safety
Warnings & Advice Information Hotline Community Meetings
Total Fire Bans Fire Restrictions Can I or Can't I Fire Danger Period
Volunteering Career Firefighting Lateral Entry Positions Vacant CFA Medals
What we do Our Structure Locations History Fire Star Training Equipment Funding Strategic Direction Supporting CFA
Your Home Summer Fire Safety Farms and Property Building a Home Community Programs Check your Hot Spots
Dangerous Goods Emergency Plans False Alarms Farms and Property Fire Equipment Forest Industry Gas Safety Inspections Training
Fire Prevention Roadside Management Land Use Planning Emergency Management
CK and Friends Activities Project Information Junior Volunteers
Programs Resources Curriculum Maps Emergency Planning

Building a Home

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report No. 2

- Priorities for Building in Bushfire-Prone AreasCover of 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission Interim Report No 2

The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report No. 2 – Priorities for Building in Bushfire-Prone Areas was provided to the government by the commission on Tuesday 24 November 2009.

In accordance with legislation, the report was then tabled in Parliament.

Download a copy of the report:
PDF: The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report No. 2 – Priorities for Building in Bushfire-Prone Areas - pdf 1,835k
Text: The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report No. 2 – Priorities for Building in Bushfire-Prone Areas - rtf 67k

To view the report in an interactive html format online visit www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au

Limited numbers of the report are also available from Information Victoria by phoning 1300 366 356 or bookshop@DIIRD.vic.gov.au and Community Hubs in bushfire affected areas.

For information surrounding private bushfire shelter building regulations go to The Building Commission website www.buildingcommission.com.au

Safety and Design

Fire safety is just one aspect of good house design.

If you want to manage your bushfire risk or reduce your chance of experiencing a house fire, there are many steps you can take when designing and building your home.

Where you site your home on your property, the type of house you build, the materials you use and the way you prepare your garden can all influence the success of defending your home during a bushfire.

If you are building in an area with a bushfire risk, your property may be subjected to a Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO). Your council's planning scheme has identified areas where the likelihood and consequence of a bushfire is severe and it is these areas that are subject to the provisions of the WMO.

Your self assessment may need to be supported by a Wildfire Development Plan or a planning report as part of your permit application. Refer to the example Wildfire Development Plan (pdf 164k) and WMO planning report (Warning Large File pdf 2440k).

CFA engages in Land Use Planning to support its objective of improving community safety in wildfires. CFA is a Referral Authority in all municipal planning schemes for subdivisions that create a road and for areas that are subject to a WMO.

There are also steps you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing a house fire, including:

  • Installation of hard wired in smoke alarms – this is now required by legislation in all new homes prior to occupancy
  • Installation of Safety switches in all new homes, - these play a valuable role in fire safety by reducing the risk of faulty electrical equipment leading to a house fire

For further information on making your home safe from bushfire and house fire, go to:

See Also:

Victoria The Place To Be Logo