Bush fire prone land (BFPL) is the area of land identified by the local council which may become a subject to bush fire accident or can enhance bush fires. The natural landscape of these locations deemed them susceptible to bush fire emergencies, due to surrounding wild bushes or grasslands. You can look up which area is designated as BFPL in New South Wales on the online map certified by the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
With prevalent occurrence of bush fires, it is vital to understand which area is labeled as a prone land. Local authorities, like Rural Fire Service, restructured planning jurisdiction to maintain fire-based emergency situations. They have strengthened the rules around the construction designs and mapping of residential areas in bush surrounding landscapes, in order to encourage safe home development. Homeowners living in BFPL should remain educated on bush fire survival literature and act accordingly to plans issued by local authorities.
How do I find out if my land is bush fire prone?
An easier tool to use is the online map mentioned above but contacting your local council for straightforward guidelines is always recommended. Local councils can provide further information on BFPL and can be reached out for more information regarding the issue. All BFPL maps are under review and consideration of respective local councils, so keep yourself updated with any new changes.
What should be considered while developing infrastructure on BFPL?
All construction activity needs to obtain relevant information related to property planning in BFPL before any development sequence can start. After proceeding with the correct documentations, homeowners should seek certain protective measures that can strengthen the structure’s resilience to bush fire and minimize any damage or destruction from the catastrophe.
Keep in mind that planning according to Bush Fire Protection codes does not translate to isolating any development project in BFPLs, but to ensure adequate protection from bush fires. Bush Fire Planning and Design (BPAD) provides suitable altercations and modifications you can design into your house located on bush fire prone areas.
What adjustments are suggested for homes located in BFPL?
The design and construction of the house should deal with bush fire risks sincerely. Modify the style, use more fire-resilient construction materials and build your house away from bush fire factors. If you want to create a paddock or field around your property, do remember to install water breaks around the paddock boundary. Maintain a strict regime of removing any wild bushes or shrubs growing against the house. Keep gas cylinders and gas outlets securely placed away from any at-risk direction.
Furthermore, renovate your house build based on fire-resilient materials and remove all wooden exterior or interior structure if possible. Placing quality aluminum or fiberglass mesh fabrics and shutters can minimize the risk of fire embers from becoming raging fire waves. Install bushfire windows and shutters which are competent against bush fires. Fire or heat radiant shield such as solid inflammable fences around the house can be a viable choice to protect your property from bush fires.
