If you're planning a new home, an extension, a granny flat or even a shed in North East Tasmania, there's a good chance you'll need a BAL report before your building can be approved.

Is my property in a bushfire-prone area?Much of the North East, including land around Scottsdale, St Helens, Bridport, Gladstone and the coast, sits within the bushfire-prone areas overlay. You can check your property on the PlanBuild Tasmania portal, or send me your address and I'll check it for you.

What is a BAL report? A BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) report looks at the vegetation around your building site, how far away it is, and the slope of the land. From this it works out how much ember attack and radiant heat your building could face in a bushfire. The result, from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ, tells your builder what construction standard to follow.

What else do I get? Along with the report, you'll receive a Bushfire Hazard Management Plan (BHMP). This is a site plan showing what's needed to protect your building: an area of managed vegetation around it, access for fire trucks, and a firefighting water supply. Your building surveyor needs both documents.

What do I need to get started? Your property address, a site plan if you have one, and your title documents. Before the site visit, it helps to peg out where the building will go.

How long does it take? Every report I prepare is reviewed by Tasmania Fire Service before it's issued, so please allow up to 6 weeks.

If you're building in the North East and aren't sure whether you need a BAL report, get in touch using the contact form at the bottom of my homepage.