Bushfire Report

INTRODUCTION
For thousands of years bush fires have been a natural part of the Australian
landscape. They are inevitable and essential, as many Australian plants and
animals have adapted to fire as part of their life cycle.

In recent years developments in bushland areas have increased the risk of bush
fires harming people and their homes and property. But landowners can
significantly reduce the impact of bush fires on their property by identifying and
minimising bush fire hazards. There are a number of ways to reduce the level of
hazard to your property, but one of the most important is the creation and
maintenance of an Asset Protection Zone (APZ).

A well located and maintained APZ should be used in conjunction with other
preparations such as good property maintenance, appropriate building materials
and developing a family action plan.


WHAT IS AN ASSET PROTECTION ZONE?
An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is a fuel reduced area surrounding a built asset
or structure. This can include any residential building or major building such as
farm and machinery sheds, or industrial, commercial or heritage buildings.

An APZ provides:
• a buffer zone between a bush fire hazard and an asset;
• an area of reduced bush fire fuel that allows suppression of fire;
• an area from which backburning may be conducted; and
• an area which allows emergency services access and provides a relatively
   safe area for firefighters and home owners to defend their property.

Potential bush fire fuels should be minimised within an APZ. This is so that the
vegetation within the planned zone does not provide a path for the transfer of fire
to the asset either from the ground level or through the tree canopy.


WHAT WILL THE APZ DO?
An APZ, if designed correctly and maintained regularly, will reduce the risk of:
                                                                                     3
• direct flame contact on the asset;
• damage to the built asset from intense radiant heat; and
• ember attack on the asset.