Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
New Bushfire Building StandardsFollowing Australia’s worst ever natural disaster the Victorian government has introduced tougher building standards for homes, targeting high bushfire risk areas. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 21st April 2009 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council Municipal Building Surveyor, Tim Blankenstein, said the state government has brought forward the adoption of the Australian Standard for Design and Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas.
"The standard was due to be adopted by all Australian states and territories in May 2010, but it is now effective in Victoria from 11 March," said Mr Blankenstein.
"The new standard will apply throughout Victoria to all new homes, additions and outbuildings within six metres of a dwelling as part of the application for a building permit.
"Every application will undergo a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment which will determine the method of construction to be used to better protect properties from the threat of bushfires.
"The aim of the standard is to help save lifes and property," explained Mr Blankenstein.
Based on 2008 building permit statistics for new homes, 80 per cent had the lowest rating BAL assessment. Any home with this rating would not require additional measures under the new standard.
"This means that the introduction of this standard is not likely to affect the majority of homes built in Bass Coast," said Mr Blankenstein.
"However residents who live in an area that is assessed to be at greater risk of bushfire must meet the provisions of the new design and construction standards in building or extending their home."
According to the Building Commission, adopting the new standard will provide greater protection from bushfires in the future and is an important step for community safety.
The Building Commission is conducting a consumer and industry campaign that will include running seminars throughout Victoria to explain the regulation changes.
For more information contact the Building Commission Bushfire Building Advice Line on 1300 360 320 or visit the website www.buildingcommission.com.au.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season. - New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks. - New Heart Morass watering infrastructure strengthens Gippsland Lakes wetland health and protects freshwater flows for future generations
New watering infrastructure at Heart Morass enables controlled freshwater flows, reducing salinity and supporting wetland health, wildlife habitat and long-term resilience across the Gippsland Lakes. - New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland. - New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment. - New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience. - New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use. - East Gippsland's new disability network brings diverse community voices together to help shape council decisions and services
East Gippsland’s new Disability Network has attracted 33 expressions of interest, bringing together people with disability, carers, families and sector representatives to help shape Council decisions and improve accessibility. - Yarram Pool installs new accessibility pod to improve safety, comfort and inclusion for residents with mobility challenges
Yarram Pool has installed a new accessibility pod following community feedback, providing safer, more comfortable water access for residents with mobility challenges ahead of the summer swimming season. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - Liberals and Nationals pledge forest restoration, fuel reduction, bushfire preparedness and regional job support across Victoria
The Liberals and Nationals propose restoring active forest management, doubling planned burns, treating more public land, expanding firebreaks and restoring 5,000 hectares annually to reduce bushfire risks and support regional timber jobs. - Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration. - Better Place Australia opens new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland amid rising community needs
Better Place Australia has opened a new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland, addressing challenges including family separation, violence, financial stress and child vulnerability. - East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community. - Nationals and Liberals pledge 10 new technical colleges, delivering hands-on training for 5,000 Victorian students
The Nationals and Liberals plan 10 new Technical Colleges across Victoria, providing 5,000 secondary students with hands-on vocational training and pathways into in-demand careers, including a new college in Gippsland. - Foster CFA volunteers await new station funding despite site and lease arrangements already being in place
Foster CFA volunteers continue waiting for a new station, with a site and long-term lease secured. Danny O’Brien is calling for government funding to begin construction. - Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding. - Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson appointed as Baw Baw Shire new directors following recent organisational restructure
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson as new directors following a restructure reducing its executive leadership team from five to three. - Bass Coast invites community feedback on new decade-long nature positive strategy for environmental protection and restoration until 15 October 2026
Bass Coast Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Nature Positive Strategy, guiding environmental protection, restoration and enhancement across the region over the next decade. - Bass Coast Shire Council seeks feedback on new waste charge proposal with various session dates in September and feedback closing on 21 October 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council is consulting on a proposed waste charge for all rateable properties, aiming to fairly share costs and improve transparency around community waste services. - East Gippsland Council welcomes Nationals’ pledge for new Lakes Entrance CFA Station after years of advocacy for improved emergency services
East Gippsland Council has welcomed The Nationals’ pledge for a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, addressing outdated facilities, improving emergency response capabilities and supporting volunteer firefighters after more than 20 years of advocacy. - The Nationals promise apprenticeship training cost cuts, new technical colleges and toll relief to support Gippsland tradies and businesses
The Nationals propose a $115 million apprenticeship fund, 10 new technical colleges for 5,000 students, and a $50 weekly toll cap to reduce costs, support Gippsland tradies and strengthen regional businesses - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care. - Baw Baw Shire Council appoints Anthony Petherbridge as third new director following organisational restructure
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Anthony Petherbridge as Director Community and Planning Services following its restructure, joining two new directors and bringing extensive strategic planning and executive-level local government experience. - East Gippsland targets Canberra visitors in new Spring Tourism Campaign, destination marketing and supporting local businesses
East Gippsland Shire Council has launched a Canberra-focused spring tourism campaign, testing evidence-led marketing strategies while attracting shoulder-season visitors and supporting local businesses through targeted promotion. - Traralgon Netball Association scores $220,000 boost for new court lighting, creating more opportunities for players and night games
Traralgon’s Agnes Brereton Reserve has received $220,000 for new LED lighting across 10 netball courts, helping more than 60 teams train, compete at night, expand development programs and create greater opportunities for players of all ages. - Bairnsdale Library unveils upgraded outdoor spaces with new shade structures, refreshed courtyard and improved facilities for community activities
Bairnsdale Library has unveiled upgraded outdoor spaces featuring two louvred shade structures, refreshed courtyard landscaping and vegetable beds, supported by $79,104 in Living Libraries Infrastructure Program funding. - East Gippsland Council welcomes Coalition’s $120M pledge for new Bairnsdale Hospital emergency department and expanded patient capacity
East Gippsland Shire Council has welcomed the Coalition’s $120 million pledge for Bairnsdale Hospital’s new emergency department, which will expand treatment spaces, ambulance bays and hospital beds to meet growing healthcare demand. - Gippsland Water urges customers to prepare alternative water supplies ahead of bushfire season and fire danger period
Gippsland Water urges customers to prepare alternative water supplies during the Fire Danger Period, recommending three litres of drinking water per person daily and monitoring service updates during emergencies. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback to shape safer roads through New Road Safety Strategy Plan until 10 September 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting residents to help shape its new Road Safety Strategy through community workshops and an online survey, aiming to reduce crashes and improve safety for all road users across the shire. - East Gippsland Shire Council seeks $4M election funding to unlock 600 new homes through Lucknow drainage upgrades
East Gippsland Council is seeking $4 million for Lucknow drainage upgrades, enabling up to 600 new homes while addressing flooding and supporting sustainable growth. - Labor invests $120,000 to modernise Traralgon Library with new study pods and improved community spaces
Harriet Shing joined Latrobe City Mayor Cr Gibson and councillors to announce a $120,000 library upgrade, jointly funded by government and council - Darren Chester joined Wellington Shire representatives to welcome 57 new citizens at The Wedge ceremony
Wellington Shire welcomed 57 new Australian citizens at The Wedge, with Federal Member Darren Chester and council representatives celebrating their milestone and contributions to Gippsland communities. - Construction begins on Warragul’s $30M Library and Learning Centre, delivering new community, cultural and co-working spaces by 2028
Construction has begun on Warragul’s $30 million Library and Learning Centre, featuring library, cultural, meeting and co-working spaces, with opening planned for early 2028. - Supercars Championship returns to Phillip Island in 2027 following Victorian government multi-year contract announcement
Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the Supercars Championship return to Phillip Island in 2027 under a Victorian Government multi-year contract, supporting regional tourism and economic transition following MotoGP and World Superbikes departures. - Latrobe Leisure Morwell earns Gold Safety Accreditation for highest aquatic safety standards recognition achieved
Latrobe Leisure Morwell earned Life Saving Victoria’s Gold Safety Accreditation after achieving 100 percent compliance and a safety score above 95 percent, recognising exceptional aquatic safety, operations and risk management standards. - Local operators Samantha Holmes and Brett Savory take over Eagle Point Foreshore Hub, bringing new food offering and fresh investment
Samantha Holmes and Brett Savory have taken over Eagle Point Foreshore Hub, renaming its café The Nest, offering local produce, dining, takeaway and catering while supporting community connections. - Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation. - Warragul Leisure Centre extends outdoor pool season following community feedback with revised opening hours through April 2027
Warragul Leisure Centre will extend outdoor pool access from October, introducing revised opening hours following community feedback, with the schedule continuing through April 10, 2027. - Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund. - Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Gemma Rendell and Darren Chester urge Gippslanders to add vegetables daily through new healthy eating campaign
The "Get the Edge. Eat More Veg" campaign launched in Sale, urging Gippslanders to add one extra vegetable served daily while supporting local growers, jobs and health. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - Wellington Shire Council retains in-house library service following review confirming best value for community needs
Wellington Shire Council has endorsed the outcome of its Wellington Libraries Service Review, confirming library services will continue to be delivered as is. - Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region. - Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing. - Bass Coast Shire Council asks residents to keep FOGO bins cardboard-free following updated recycling guidelines from April 2026
Bass Coast Council asks residents to keep cardboard out of FOGO bins from April 2026, ensuring high-quality compost, reducing contamination, and supporting efficient recycling and local environmental sustainability. - Latrobe City Council endorses updated community amenity local law following extensive community consultation
Latrobe City Council has endorsed an updated Community Amenity Local Law, strengthening rules around property upkeep, waste, animals, burning, vehicles, public spaces and permits. - East Gippsland Shire Council welcomes Temporary Disaster Roaming 1 October 2026, allowing access to other networks during eligible natural disasters
East Gippsland Shire Council welcomes Temporary Disaster Roaming, activated by Telstra, Optus and TPG on October 1, 2026, allowing access to other networks for essential calls, texts and limited data during eligible disasters. - Paynesville Council seeks $4M for intersection upgrades to unlock 1,400 new homes
Paynesville's $4 million intersection upgrade proposal aims to improve road safety, ease congestion and unlock around 1,400 new homes in the town's growth area. - Victorian Councils urge parties to preserve local choice in glass collection models and expand container deposit recycling benefits
A coalition of 41 Victorian councils is urging major parties to preserve local choice in glass collection, expand container deposit recycling benefits and maximise recovery while minimising costs for communities. - Victorian Landcare grants deliver $337,250 to support 40 community environmental projects across West Gippsland
West Gippsland has received $337,250 through the 2026 Victorian Landcare Grants for 22 environmental projects and 18 support grants, backing koala habitat restoration, Tarwin River revegetation and community nature education initiatives. - East Gippsland Shire Council seeks $4M to upgrade Lakes Entrance drainage, protect communities and unlock 1,500 new housing lots
East Gippsland Council is seeking $4 million for Lakes Entrance drainage upgrades to reduce flood risk, protect communities and support development of 1,500 housing lots. - Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures.
|
|
