Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 23, 2014 6:01 pm Hi Just wanted to see people experiences with the BAL, we have not had our block assessed yet. Can you tell me how it works, we have the land already 5 acres of bush, I don't know if its forest or woodlands what's the difference? How do you know the amount to clear, I don't want to wipe the block but do want to have a reasonable BAL level, does the BAL assessor make that call or the council? Also we want to have veggie gardens to grow all our own. Sheds, fruit trees a bali type hut, tracks to walk around and clear along fence lines etc. Cheers Lorri Re: BAL rating and clearing 2Jun 23, 2014 7:14 pm Lorri, Have a look at this link http://www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/webd ... AS3959.pdf Or contact your CFS and enquire about a Bal assessment (fees will apply for a professional assessment) You will need to have a BAL assessment done in order that your building designer can detail your house accordingly. Typically local councils rely on the fire service for fire advice. Re: BAL rating and clearing 3Jun 23, 2014 10:01 pm Do you already have a building envelope / planning approval for your block? We are in the lucky situation that we are exempt from a BAL as we don't trigger planning approval as will build within an existing envelope. It's during planning approval and subdivisions that blocks get designated as bush fire prone. Whilst your on a bush block and there may still be changes you would like to make in terms of fire preparedness, it may not need to go through an assessment? We are on largely cleared farmland with scattered trees. If you do need to go through a bal have you accessed the standard through the standards australia website? It explains it in more detail, however I think it's pretty subjective and distinguishing through the categories may not be very clear. Good luck Re: BAL rating and clearing 4Jun 23, 2014 10:29 pm Thanks, for your replies, I have not done any thing other than buying the block, not a thing done other than that. I guess what I am asking is are we able to lower the BAL by clearing back the bush to achieve a BAL of 12.5 or 19? Rather having bush close to the house and having a higher rating, clear back and get a lower rating. And are we able to clear small areas of bush, ie trees lower than 10m and bracken, shrubs to put gardens, paths, sheds, chook house etc. Without involving councils and the rest. Cheers Lorri PS there is no building envelope , council says just leave 20m setback from front of block, the back and sides don't bother us as there is plenty of room. 3 4116 I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 9872 |