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Have you ever wondered just how flammable your home really is? What exactly is it that burns when a bushfire passes through and what is most likely to catch fire first? That’s a powerful question — and a really important one if you live in a bushfire-prone area. When a bushfire passes through, your house doesn’t usually “burst into flames” all at once. It typically ignites because of a few specific weak points. Let’s break down what actually burns — and what usually catches f

If you are planning a development of your property, maybe a house, maybe a shed, granny flat or pergola, then the first step really needs to be checking what zone you're in and what overlays apply to your property. Once you know that, you can investigate all the rules and regs that apply. Good news, all the info is in one spot. The Victorian government has made it very easy for us all to check and start our own research before we start booking contractors. Go to: VicPlan ,

Defendable space is a term used in planning to describe a perimeter around a dwelling which contains vegetation 'managed' to a specific standard. ‘Managed vegetation’ is vegetation which is modified and managed on-going to ensure it mitigates the bushfire as it approaches the dwelling. The larger the area of defendable space, the lower the construction standard required, with relation to bushfire resistance. The classification of the closest hazard (unmanaged vegetation) will

These relate to vegetation clearing and are exemptions for defendable space around existing buildings and along fence lines. There are specific requirements to meet the exemptions, such as the use of the building (must be accommodation) and have been constructed before specific dates (mostly September 2009, but be sure to check). The exemptions allow landowners and residents to clear certain vegetation within certain distances of a dwelling. You can check out more information

The BMO includes streamlined bushfire protection requirements for outbuildings. What is classified as an outbuilding? In Australia, an outbuilding is a permanent, detached structure on a property that is separate from the main house and used for purposes other than the primary dwelling . Common examples include sheds, garages, carports, gazebos, and stables. Outbuildings are generally classified as non-habitable structures ( Class 10a ) for purposes like storage, workshops, o

Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world with a history of catastrophic bushfires. The bushfire management overlay (BMO) applies to land that may be significantly affected by extreme bushfires. Planning schemes guide the development of land in areas of high bushfire hazard. The location, siting, design and construction of development and the implementation of bushfire protection measures are considered where the Bushfire Management Overlay applies. To fi