Bushfire recovery
We are here to help.

Our commitment – Fernleigh will fast track the process for fire affected properties.

Site Assessment

Planning & Design

You will get High priority through this process to reduce this time and asses if bureaucracy can be removed and/or reduced. A 10% discount will apply for all Fernleigh services. Conditions apply.

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Approval

We will help to communicate with kit suppliers to prioritise your materials order.

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Supply

We will help to communicate with kit suppliers to prioritise your materials order.
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Recovery Build

Through early notification, we can assist to procure trades through our networks. We can notify them when we are in the planning and approval process.

Rebuilding

Replacing a shed lost in a bushfire

If you have lost a shed in the recent fires, you may be able to replace the shed straight away (if the building was approved previously).

The building will have to be a complete ‘like for like’ replacement.

Slabs and pad footings can generally be re-used after a fire event, however; they should be inspected by a structural engineer for two reasons:

  1. To ensure they are structurally sound and no adverse affects have occurred such as cracking, or movement of earth under the footing (sometimes due to excessive water on site due to fire fighting.)
  2. Engineering and building code changes may have occurred since the last shed was built and the new shed design may require a larger or different footing. An example of this could be wind code changes, the hold down requirements for a slab or footing may have increased due to code changes since your last building was erected.

If you intend to change the building from the original design, you may need approval to do so.

Building a new shed after a fire

Building a new shed after a bushfire is a great way to secure all of your assets that survived the fire.

In terms of the new building, it will still have to go through the approval process and meet planning guidelines.

Because your property has been affected by fire Fernleigh will add your project to our ‘fast track’ process.

Once you have obtained a quote for the new shed from your chosen shed supplier, send it to Fernleigh, we can then organise for all of your documents to be prepared for approval. We will work with certifiers and council to get you building as soon as possible.

If you are still in a high risk area for future fire attack, things you may consider for your shed could be:

  • Ember/brush seals over roller doors.
  • Ember seals to eaves, ridges, and the bottom of wall sheets.
  • Steel flyscreens to windows.
  • Injected foam Insulation blanket – make sure you ask for ‘self extinguishing’ blanket products.

Shed + temporary accommodation

After fires, we often receive enquiries to build a shed to secure surviving assets and there is sometimes the need for accommodation whilst a dwelling is replaced or damages rectified.

Fernleigh can assist with ‘Temporary accommodation’ applications via your local council including designs within a shed structure, however; there are planning regulations that may prevent you from doing this on your site including but not limited to the following:

  • Temporary accommodation is generally not allowable in ‘Residential’ zoned properties.
  • Must have an ‘approved’ dwelling application existing on the site
  • Time limits apply (normally up to 2 years)
  • All National Construction Code requirements for habitable dwellings apply.
  • The following minimum facilities must be provided in order for the structure to be considered temporarily habitable:
    • A kitchen sink and facilities for the preparation and cooking of food
    • A bath or shower
    • Clothes washing facilities
    • A toilet and wash basin
    • Hard wired smoke detectors

Other conditions apply.

Other options we could assist with include:

  • Shed designs to allow for caravans
  • Granny Flat designs
  • Dwelling renovations or new home designs

Advice provided above is intended to provide a guide only and should by confirmed by insurance providers, engineers, building certifiers, and regulatory authorities. If in

    Advice provided above is intended to provide a guide only and should by confirmed by insurance providers, engineers, building certifiers, and regulatory authorities. If in doubt seek legal advice before commencing work. Please contact Fernleigh Eaglesham Pty Ltd for assistance in obtaining professionals advice.