Quoting for on a residential project – are you aware of the Bushfire zone building requirements in QLD?

You should make sure that you are aware of the impacts of BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) on the project, as the BAL level can have big implication for the build cost. Additional costs can be $5k or more at the lower end of the BAL scale, with higher end costs potentially exceeding $50k.

It make sense to check whether the project you are quoting requires a BAL report, as often the client and/or building designer/architect is unaware of the requirement, especially for renovations or upgrades eg, roof replacements.

To check if your project is in a Bushfire Prone Area  – click here

Are you selling land? or suggesting that a house you are marketing could be upgraded or renovated. If so, you should be aware of the implications of BAL on the property.

As an agent, you have an obligation to provide all relevant information about a property you are marketing to potential buyers and a failure to do this could leave you vulnerable to litigation.

We service Rockhampton, Mackay & Townsville regions – but with offices in Brisbane, The Whitsundays & Cairns, we can service all of Queensland.

To check if a property you are marketing is in a Bushfire Prone Area – click here

Are you developing or subdividing land for residential lots? If so, you should be aware of the implications of developing in a Bushfire Prone Area (which is referred to as the Bushfire Overlay in Council town planning).

A Development Application (DA), involving a Reconfiguration of a Lot (ROL) and/or a Material Change of Use (MCU) within a Bushfire Overlay will require you to submit a Bushfire Hazard Assessment and a Bushfire Management Plan.

These are different to BAL reports, as they assess the potential bushfire risk that a development may have and describe the requirements to manage that risk for all the lots inside the development site. (Note that a BAL report will also be required for each lot that is identified as being within the bushfire overlay at the time of building application).

Depending on the location and the bushfire risk determined in the hazard assessment, additional resources like fire breaks, fire access trails and additional water sources for firefighting etc may be required. These additional resources may have a significant impact on your development costs.

BAL-QLD can supply Bushfire Hazard Assessments and Bushfire Management Plans. Please contact us for further information or to discuss your project requirements.

Whether you are looking to develop property in SE Queensland, The Whitsundays or farther North than Cairns, we can help. We service all of Queensland!

To check if a project you are developing is in a Bushfire Overlay – click here