As the bushfire risk landscape continues to evolve, Bushfire Pro is also preparing for significant updates to ensure our platform aligns with the latest regulatory changes. The recent release of the Planning for Bushfire Guidelines for Western Australia introduces new requirements, and we are working hard to integrate these into Bushfire Pro so that bushfire practitioners can stay compliant and deliver precise assessments. Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming changes to Bushfire Pro.

1. Updated Bushfire Prone Areas Layer

A major update in the new guidelines is the release of an updated Bushfire Prone Areas Layer. This layer is maintained by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner and identifies areas designated as bushfire-prone. These updates reflect the most current data on bushfire risk, and Bushfire Pro will soon incorporate this new layer.

Once integrated, practitioners using Bushfire Pro will be able to work with the latest data when assessing sites for bushfire risk. This will ensure that all assessments are aligned with the most up-to-date bushfire-prone designations, helping users streamline planning and development applications in compliance with the new guidelines.

2. Introducing the Broader Landscape Assessment

Another key addition in the guidelines is the Broader Landscape Assessment, which evaluates risks within a 2-kilometer radius of a development site. This broader view considers not only the site but also the surrounding environment, helping to identify additional risks such as nearby bushfire hazards, evacuation routes, and proximity to urban areas.

Bushfire Pro is being enhanced to include this Broader Landscape Assessment feature. Once live, this tool will allow you to assess the wider area around a development site, ensuring that new projects are strategically located to minimize bushfire risk. This update will make it easier to comply with the new broader landscape requirements outlined in the guidelines.

3. New 1kW, 2kW, and 10kW Lines

The guidelines introduce new thresholds for radiant heat flux, specifically the 1kW, 2kW, and 10kW lines, which play a crucial role in determining Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL). These thresholds provide more precise measurements of heat exposure, which inform construction standards and bushfire protection measures.

In the near future, Bushfire Pro will incorporate these new radiant heat flux lines, helping practitioners more accurately assess the heat flux levels at a given site. This will ensure that construction requirements are appropriate for the level of bushfire risk, offering greater safety and compliance with the updated guidelines.

4. What These Changes Mean for You

Once these updates are live, Bushfire Pro will be fully aligned with the new State Planning Policy 3.7 (SPP 3.7) requirements. Here’s what you’ll be able to do with the new features:

• Work with the latest Bushfire Prone Areas Layer to ensure assessments reflect the most current designations.
• Use the Broader Landscape Assessment tool to evaluate the wider environmental context of development sites.
• Apply the new 1kW, 2kW, and 10kW radiant heat flux lines to determine accurate BALs and ensure that bushfire protection measures are appropriate for each site’s risk level.

These improvements are designed to help you perform faster, more accurate assessments while ensuring full compliance with the updated guidelines.

Looking Ahead

At Bushfire Pro, we’re committed to staying ahead of regulatory changes to ensure that our users have the tools they need to protect lives, property, and infrastructure. The upcoming updates will keep your workflow seamless and your assessments compliant with the latest legal standards.

Stay tuned for announcements on when these updates will be available. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information about how these changes might impact your work.