Attachment H - Bushfire Management Plan v3

predominant mature canopy tree height or 10m whichever is the greater; and 10m from any
retained vegetation strips or small areas of vegetation’ is detailed.

This separation distance, does not consider level of bushfire hazard (i.e. Medium to Very
High), nor the building construction standards of the proposed development. In addition,
given the nature and limitations of the site, setbacks dictated by mature vegetation height
may lead to unnecessary extensive vegetation loss both on and adjacent the subject site.
Hence the required setbacks (APZ’s) detailed in the AS3959-2009, with regard to building
construction standards are considered appropriate to mitigate the identified bushfire hazard
to the proposed development and consequently meeting the intent of the performance
outcomes of the SPP and NSC Planning Scheme as a result.

Subsequently, the following Section determines the required setbacks adjacent the proposed
development in relation to building construction standards, in order to function as APZ’s.

3.2 Bushfire Attack Level - Construction Standards
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires all Class 1-3, and 10a (associated with a
dwelling) buildings to be constructed in accordance with the Australian Standard 3959 (2009)
- Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS 3959-2009). This Standard provides
minimum construction standards for new dwellings in designated Bushfire Prone Areas.
The construction standards are intended to improve the performance of buildings subjected
to burning debris, radiant heat or flame contact. The AS3959- 2009 methodology prescribes
Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL’s) to the facades of proposed buildings to which corresponding
construction safety standards are applied. AS3959-2009 defines Bushfire Attack Levels as:
   ‘A means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack,
   radiant heat and direct flame contact, using increments of radiant heat expressed in
   kilowatts per metre squared, which is the basis for establishing the requirements for
   construction to improve protection of building elements from attack by bushfire.’

3.2.1 Bushfire Attack Level – Minimum Distance Assessment
In accordance with the Australian Standard – Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas
(AS 3959, 2009), an assessment of the required construction standards for the proposed
development of has been undertaken using a Method 2 Minimum distance calculation (Tables
2-6). This minimum Distance Assessment has been provided to inform required setbacks to
potentially hazardous vegetation, with respect to required building construction standards. It
is understood this will be used to determine vegetation management requirements with
respect to desired/achievable building construction standards and detailed design
considerations
This assessment has been based on the following assumptions:
    ▪   A Fire Danger Index (FDI) of 40 (AS 3959- 2009);
 8 May 2019                   35 Rules Road, Pomona - Bushfire Management Plan V3        Page 15
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