Designing Bushfire-Resilient Homes in Victoria

As climate change increases the severity and frequency of bushfires across Victoria, building a home that’s beautiful andbushfire-resilient has never been more important. At Gidaya Group, we design and construct homes that meet Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements—without compromising on comfort or style.

Understanding BAL Ratings

Every new home in a designated bushfire-prone area must meet a BAL rating. This rating is based on the fire risk at the building site and ranges from:

• BAL-LOW: Minimal risk

• BAL-12.5 to BAL-40: Increasing exposure to embers, heat, and flame

• BAL-FZ (Flame Zone): Direct exposure to flames

Homes built in BAL-rated zones require specific materials, design features, and construction methods to withstand potential fires.

Where in Victoria Is Bushfire Resilience Required?

Many fast-growing and lifestyle-focused areas fall within bushfire-prone overlays, including:

• Dandenong Ranges (e.g., Ferny Creek, Olinda)

• Macedon Ranges (e.g., Gisborne, Mount Macedon)

• Surf Coast (e.g., Torquay, Anglesea)

• Ballarat surrounds (e.g., Buninyong, Invermay)

• Yarra Ranges (e.g., Warburton, Healesville)

• Northern growth corridors (e.g., Beveridge, Whittlesea)

Smart Design Principles for BAL Homes

We design homes that feel architectural and bespoke—while integrating:

• Non-combustible materials: Metal, fibre cement, brick

• Enclosed eaves and verandas

• Toughened glazing with metal screens

• Minimal underfloor gaps

• Fire-resistant landscaping

Good design protects the home while still allowing for alfresco living, light, and connection to nature.

Why Gidaya Group?

Our expertise includes:

• Navigating Victoria’s BAL regulations and overlays

• Collaborating with bushfire consultants and surveyors

• Designing for aesthetic and practical safety

• Building in regional and semi-rural areas with high BAL zones

Whether it’s a custom family home in Gisborne or a coastal retreat in Anglesea, we ensure every project is site-specific and bushfire-smart.

Next Steps

Thinking of building in a bushfire-prone area? Start with a BAL assessment, then work with a builder who understands how to turn those requirements into a home that feels just as safe as it does stylish.