Our Bushfire Planning Services

bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments

A BAL measures a building’s potential exposure to bushfires. It is used to establish construction requirements, to help improve protection of the building from bushfires. A BAL assessment classifies land into six categories based on a combination of the vegetation type, the slope of the land and the proposed building’s distance from vegetation. Learn more about the 6 BAL ratings here.

All BAL Assessments provided by Queensland Bushfire Planning include the following:

  1. Site assessment;

  2. Validation of bushfire hazard mapping overlay;

  3. Vegetation assessment; 

  4. Regional ecosystem identification;

  5. Fuel load assessments;

  6. Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) calculations (heat flux) utilising - AS 3959-2018 - Method 2 (Normative);

  7. Full written report suitable for submission to Certifier.

Click here to learn more about why we use BAL calculation Method 2 and how this will help you to achieve the best outcome for your project.

bushfire Hazard assessments

A well-planned subdivision can significantly reduce the risk to people, property, and infrastructure in bushfire-prone areas. It also plays a key role in fire management during a bushfire event.

A bushfire hazard assessment evaluates the potential intensity of a bushfire in a specific area by categorizing land as low, moderate, or extreme hazard levels. Different sections of a property—or even individual lots within a subdivision—may have varying hazard levels. By integrating bushfire hazard assessments early in the planning process, developments can be both safer and more sustainable.

This assessment helps determine the suitability of land for subdivision and development. It guides decisions on land use, building envelopes, and risk reduction strategies. To minimise bushfire risk, measures such as strategic vegetation clearing, hazard separation areas, bushfire protection zones, and fire breaks may be recommended.

All Bushfire Management Plan Services include:

  1. Onsite assessment;

  2. Validation of bushfire hazard mapping overlay;

  3. Vegetation assessment; 

  4. Regional ecosystem identification;

  5. Fuel load assessments;

  6. Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) calculations (heat flux) utilising - AS 3959-2018 - Method 2 (Normative);

  7. Assessment against relevant Local Government Overlay Codes;

  8. Recommendations for mitigating bushfire risk;

  9. Full written report suitable for submission with Development Application (DA).

bushfire Management Plans

A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) outlines long-term strategies to reduce fire hazards and risks in bushfire-prone areas. These plans help guide development, land management, and fire safety measures to protect both people and property.

A BMP typically includes the results of a Bushfire Hazard Assessment and, where applicable, a BAL Assessment to determine the level of bushfire risk in a specific area. Based on this assessment, the plan may set out bushfire safety requirements, such as:

  • Hazard separation zones to create defensible space.

  • Strategic firebreaks on public and private land.

  • Firefighting water supply (e.g., standpipes and tanks).

  • Dedicated firefighting access routes and easements.

  • Ongoing maintenance responsibilities to manage vegetation and access.