Bushfire Resistant Construction regulations update

Since the devastating bushfires in Victoria in February 2009, the Victorian government has pushed through changes to the existing bushfire resistant construction standard.

The new standard AS3959-2009 has more restrictive construction methods for homes. The whole of Victoria is now considered a bushfire danger zone, with different degrees of danger depending on the location, vegetation proximity, and a range of other trigger points. Each building site has to have a BAL (bushfire attack level) determined by the designer or builder and building surveyor.