The morning session will commence with our first speaker, Alex Bott (CoA), who will talk about the process flow for a BAL Assessment through the planning system to assist getting to building. You will develop a greater understanding of planning processes to follow to carry out and submit a BAL Assessment. Kathryn Kinnear is the following speaker who will then focus on a discussion on APZ and requirements to fuel loads and provide you with a Bushfire 101 lesson to ensure that your houses and communities are safe.

Our second speaker, Daniel Panickar will demystify the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) and its Regulations which have superseded the 1929 Sandalwood Act and the 1950 Wildlife Conservation Act in WA, and establish a new regime for the conservation and protection of biodiversity on 1 January 2019. You will learn what does this mean for clearing vegetation/fuel reduction for BAL assessors and people building in bushfire prone areas.

 Our third speaker, Julie De Jong , will demystify design and compliance to AS3959. You will learn how to obtain compliance to AS3959 without overcomplicating drawings and design detail. Julie will assist to give clarity to builders, designers and the consumer on building to AS3959.

The afternoon session will commence with a discussion with Dennis Koster (CoA) and David Mexom (Statewide Building) on the transition period for AS3959-2009 and AS3959-2018. You will learn what is required during the transition period to get your building approved.  Which one and where do you apply the standard until 1^st May 2020, what you need to know now to save you time and cost at building approval stages. Dennis and David will also discuss the Exemptions to AS3959-2018 under BCA. You will have a greater understanding of when and how this can be applied.

Julie De Jong and Kathryn Kinnear will then present findings from a research project undertaken from H+H Architects and Bio Diverse Solutions on the real costs of building to AS3959. The case study will present a standard house and outline the true cost of building to each construction standard.

 The afternoon will conclude with the Q&A of the Expert Panel.

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions, engage with industry stakeholders and network with bushfire consultants, government agencies and key stakeholders.