ROYAL COMMISSION BUILDING REPORT WELCOMED
Joint Media Release
Attorney-General
Hon Robert McClelland MP
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Senator The Hon Kim Carr
25 November 2009
The Australian Government has welcomed the release of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s interim report on priorities for building in bushfire prone areas.
The Australian Government supports the Commission’s recommendations on the three priorities identified in the report, namely:
- regulation of bushfire bunkers;
- revision of some aspects of the Australian Standard for the construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas; and
- revision of the Standards Australia Handbook on building in bushfire prone areas.
The Australian Government supports the development of a national standard for the construction of personal bushfire bunkers as a matter of urgency. While bunkers are not the entire solution to bushfire survival, when built and used appropriately they can be used as a last resort for people faced with an impending bushfire front.
The Australian Government also recognises that building standards are an important tool for managing bushfire risk, and that these standards should take into account technological and scientific developments.
Finally, the Australian government recognises that a holistic approach to bushfire preparedness is most effective and supports the Commission’s recommendation that Standards Australia revise its companion handbook to AS-3959.
The revised handbook will provide valuable guidance to building practitioners about complementary measures including maintenance and planning.
The Australian Government commends the Commission on its inquiry into these important issues.
Media Contact:
Daniel Gleeson (McClelland) 0409 562 425
Catriona Jackson (Carr) 0417 142 238
