Overview

The Society of Fire Safety (SA/NT Chapter) presents a seminar/webinar to promote ongoing discussion and awareness with regard to bushfire protection requirements. This session will endeavour to explain some of the legislative requirements and the processes for practical implementation, and dispel some common myths along the way. In recognition of the increasing prevalence of dangerous bushfires and ongoing concern over loss of life and property, the 2022 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) saw the inclusion of a new component to the existing Part G5 “Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas”, which addressed Class 2 and 3 residential developments, to define the expected performance of certain Class 9 buildings in order to enhance the protection afforded to the most vulnerable in our community – nominally being children, the aged, and the infirm. This event will discuss topics relating to the mandatory process of referral to the South Australian Country Fire Service for development in a designated bushfire prone area, and the new parts of the BCA for certain Class 9 development.

Learning outcomes

In this presentation you should gain a better understanding of: 1. The various triggers for planning/development assessment for certain Class 9 developments. 2. The underlying objectives and the prescriptive requirements of the new aspect of BCA Part G5 with regard to protecting vulnerable occupants and facilitating fire brigade intervention. 3. The importance of considering bushfire provisions at planning and concept design stages to ensure a streamlined development application process. 4. Some of the potential conflicts between local state planning regulations and the national BCA, and how applicants may seek to address and resolve them.

Event program

In-person:

• 11:15am ACST - Doors open for registration
• 11:30am ACST - Presentation livestream commences followed by live Q&A
• 12:30pm ACST - Presentation end, opportunity for post event networking
• 1:00pm ACST - Venue close

Online:

• 12:00pm AEST – Livestream commences
• 1:00pm AEST – Livestream concludes

About the speakers

Leah Bertholini

Manager – Development Assessment Services, South Australian Country Fire Service

Biography

Leah has worked in the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) since August 2012. Her primary experience has been in her role as a Bushfire Safety Officer, performing development assessments for dwellings, tourist accommodation and other buildings located in areas mapped as Bushfire Prone across the state of South Australia. Recently Leah was appointed to the position of Manager of the Development Assessment Service within CFS overseeing a team of people working on matters relevant to Fire Safety in buildings, Alarms and Bushfire Protection in CFS Regions and Bushfire Prone Areas across SA. Leah represents CFS on the Bushfire Standards Technical Group (BEPTG-Bushfire Planning) facilitated by The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), and has provided input into strategic planning and building directions in South Australia. Her commitment to professional development saw Leah achieving Certificate III Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) also completing a Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection at the University of Western Sydney.

Julian Aggiss AffilIEAust

Fire Safety Engineer, South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service

Biography

Julian is presently a Fire Safety Engineer with the SA Metropolitan Fire Service since May last year, and has previously served in this capacity with the SA Country Fire Service for the past 12 years. He has been an operational fire officer for 25 years. Julian has been instrumental as a key contributor to SA variations to the Building Code of Australia. In previous lifetimes Julian has practiced as an architect and urban designer in London, Hongkong, Middle East and Adelaide over a period of 25 years and has lectured at the University of South Australia in Project Management and Architecture. He holds undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Law and post-graduate qualifications in Architecture, Urban Design and Fire Safety Engineering. He is a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers and Affiliate Member of Engineers Australia.