The sunshine state leaps ahead by adopting the new national bushfire standard seven months before other states.
The state government is adopting the new national bushfire standard for residential buildings seven months ahead of 1 May 2010 when the Australian standard will be assumed nationally, minister for infrastructure and planning Stirling Hinchliffe announced today.
Changes to the building regulation will take effect in Queensland from 1 October 2009.
“While we cannot stop natural disasters from occurring, what we can do is help protect the lives of Queenslanders by ensuring that all steps are taken to improve safety in their homes,” Hinchliffe said.
“The new building standards are the result of the latest research into fire-resistant construction … That is why we have decided to bring in these new standards seven months early.”
The new standards will be incorporated in the Building Act 1975, which regulates building development in Queensland.
It replaces the 1999 Australian Standard for design and construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas and will apply to residential building work in designated bushfire prone areas.
Following the adoption of these new standards, the Department of Infrastructure and Planning will continue to review some aspects of the standard that may need further refinement to reflect Queensland’s varied climatic conditions and vegetation.
“In the lead up to the adoption of these new regulations, my officers have participated in training sessions across Queensland to inform stakeholders about the new regulations,” Hinchliffe said.
“Over 350 building certifiers, builders and building designers have attended these sessions.”
Hinchliffe urged local governments to ensure that their bushfire maps are up to date by undertaking regular analysis of designated bushfire-prone areas.
