Victoria

I have just received the email below that was distributed by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors regarding new requirements from South East Water for all new construction projects from March 1, 2008.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA), provide general advice on a day of total fire ban.

Fire Restrictions can be applied across most areas of Victoria by CFA, when fire danger is high. Typically this is over the summer period of November through to April. Restrictions are applied in small areas at a time.

Recently I was nominated in the 2007 election for Fire Protection Association of Australia board election.

In accepting the nomination, I am required to provide a short (150 word) candidate statement. I have included a copy of the statement below...

Now begins the process of getting member support for the election....

The new fourth edition of the Victorian Building Commission Essential Safety Measures Manual is now available.

Since 1997 the Building Commission's Essential Services Manual has been an essential guide for building owners and facility managers. Currently in its third edition, the manual provides guidance on the maintenance requirements for services in buildings.

Now with the changes to the Building Regulations, the Victorian Building Commission is in the process of producing a new and enhanced version of the Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual is currently being prepared for printing and will be released soon. The new manual will be available in CD format, the Building Commission website and in hard copy form.

Apartment living is a now common in Australia's capital cities with one in five people living under strata management. In Victoria apartment owners and body corporates will shortly be required to develop a ten year plan for major capital works and have a special fund to pay for the works under new legislation.

It is anticipated the Owners Corporations Act 2006 will be proclaimed on or near December 31, 2007 where it will then take effect. The legislation requires a prescribed owners corporation to establish the ten-year plan and maintenance fund for capital works and maintenance.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the weather forecast for Victoria is for above average daytime temperatures. This no doubt will lead to an increased probability of bushfire.

For home owners in high risk bushfire prone areas, NOW is the time to develop a practical bushfire survival plan and be prepared.

Bureau of Meteorology

A warm end to the year
There is a strong shift in the odds towards above normal daytime temperatures for the December quarter (October-December) over Victoria, the Bureau of Meteorology announced today.

The pattern of seasonal maximum temperature odds across Victoria is mainly due to higher than normal temperatures in the Indian Ocean.