Bushfire Consultant in NSW - BAL Certificates & Bushfire Assessment Reports
Fast, compliant BAL Certificates, Bushfire Assessment Reports, AS3959 guidance and bushfire planning advice across NSW, with a focus on Wollongong, Wollondilly, Campbelltown and Sutherland Shire.
Resilient Bushfire Solutions is led by Michael, a BPAD-accredited bushfire consultant with over 15 years of frontline experience as an operational urban firefighter. Based in Wollongong, Michael brings a unique and highly practical perspective to bushfire risk assessments, BAL reports, and bushfire planning advice across NSW, including the Illawarra, South West Sydney, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Construction Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection, giving him a strong foundation in both the regulatory frameworks and real-world application of bushfire resilience principles.
As a trusted fire protection consultant in NSW, he delivers accurate, site-specific Bushfire Assessment Reports, BAL Certificates, and fire risk assessment services, ensuring compliance with the latest bushfire safety standards.
0423 978 387
Bushfire Assessment Reports for DA Approval
BAL Certifications
A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Certificate is often required to support Complying Development Certificate (CDC) applications in bushfire-prone areas. To qualify for CDC, the site must not be in a Flame Zone (BAL-FZ) and must meet the relevant setback and hazard management requirements under PBP 2019 and AS 3959:2018. As BPAD accredited bushfire risk assessment consultants, we provide fast, desktop-based BAL assessments to confirm compliance with CDC criteria, ensuring minimal delay in your approval process. Each certificate includes expert justification and mapping, offering clear evidence that your proposal meets bushfire planning controls.
Our BAL certifications are typically issued within 2 business days of receiving the required information and remain valid for 12 months. With extensive construction knowledge and bushfire planning experience, I can identify cost-effective siting solutions and provide clear pathways to achieving compliance. We understand that timing is often critical in the building process, and our goal is to support you with a reliable, professional service that helps you secure CDC approval with confidence.
Pre-Purchase Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Indicative Assessments
Before committing to a property in a bushfire-prone area, it’s essential to understand the level of risk and associated construction costs. Our pre-purchase BAL indicative assessments provide a quick, desktop-based analysis to help buyers make informed decisions. Using current aerial imagery, vegetation mapping, and topographical data, we identify the likely Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) for the property. These reports are ideal for homebuyers or developers wanting clarity before exchange, offering peace of mind and helping to avoid unexpected expenses due to bushfire construction upgrades.
For land purchasers, we also provide BAL contour mapping to assess multiple siting options and identify the safest and most cost-effective location for future development. This proactive approach allows clients to optimise design outcomes early and reduce construction complexity or bushfire protection costs. A simple one-page letter or map could save you thousands by avoiding high BAL areas or the Flame Zone altogether. With the increasing demand for rural and bushland property, this service is becoming one of the most valuable tools offered by a trusted BPAD bushfire consultant.
AS 3959 Statement of Compliance
An AS 3959 Statement of Compliance verifies that a building has been constructed to meet the bushfire construction requirements associated with its assigned BAL rating. These statements are often required by certifiers, councils, or other authorities as part of final sign-off or occupation certificate processes. As a fire protection consultant in NSW, we assist builders, architects, and homeowners by reviewing construction elements such as external cladding, window systems, ember protection, and roofing to ensure alignment with AS 3959:2018 standards for the designated BAL level.
With a background in both bushfire consulting and construction, we provide practical, knowledgeable support to help ensure your project is compliant and defensible. Whether you require a compliance check for a new build or formal documentation for regulatory approval, our AS 3959 statements offer a streamlined solution. We work closely with builders and certifiers to provide fast, clear, and professionally prepared documentation that satisfies regulatory expectations and demonstrates due diligence. Additionally, we can issue a fire assessment certificate if required, reinforcing your project’s compliance and safety measures in bushfire-prone areas.
Bushfire Upgrade Advice
Many homeowners living in bushfire-prone areas are becoming increasingly aware of the need to improve their home’s resilience. Our bushfire upgrade advice focuses on reviewing existing dwellings and identifying practical retrofit solutions that align with current bushfire hazards and construction requirements. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home for safety, insurance compliance, or peace of mind, we assess the property’s risk profile and recommend specific improvements—from ember protection strategies to external material upgrades.
We take a holistic approach, factoring in your site conditions, BAL rating, and personal safety goals. Our upgrade reports can help guide renovation decisions, inform insurance applications, or simply provide reassurance that your home is better prepared for future bushfire seasons. This service is particularly valuable for families looking to improve safety without the need for full redevelopment, helping them stay in the communities they love while enhancing long-term resilience.
Collaboration with Consulting Companies
We regularly collaborate with environmental and planning consultants to provide specialist bushfire input across a range of projects. From strategic land use planning and subdivision design to ecological assessments and environmental impact statements, our BPAD bushfire consultants ensure that fire risk assessments in NSW are accurately assessed and integrated into project outcomes. As BPAD-accredited consultants with field-based firefighting experience, we offer high-quality input that satisfies planning legislation and aligns with both environmental and safety objectives.
Our consulting services are available on a project-by-project or ongoing basis, tailored to suit your firm’s workflow. We deliver expert advice, clear reporting, and responsive communication to support seamless coordination across disciplines. Whether assisting with bushfire hazard assessments, BAL contour mapping, or advice on defendable space and access, we aim to add value through practical, standards-compliant recommendations that enhance the deliverability of your projects.
Why Choose Us as Your Bushfire Consultant in NSW
Hands‑on Expertise
Michael’s firefighting background enhances site‑specific risk assessments with practical, real-world knowledge.
Strong Qualifications
Combining a Bachelor in Construction Management with a Postgraduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection, Michael is a fully BPAD accredited bushfire consultant delivering expert guidance across NSW.
Fast, Reliable Turnaround
Receive Indicative BAL Assessments and BAL Certificates within 2 business days, and comprehensive Bushfire Assessment Reports within 5–10 business days. Priority and expedited options are available to meet urgent project timelines.
Comprehensive Coverage
Services extend across all phases: planning, purchase, design, compliance, retrofit.
Based in Wollongong
- Illawarra
- South Coast
- Sutherland Shire
- Western Sydney
- South West Sydney
- Southern highlands
Ensure your property is safe, compliant, and resilient with a trusted bushfire consultant in NSW. Contact Resilient Bushfire Solutions now for expert BPAD-accredited bushfire assessments, fast BAL certificates, and tailored fire risk assessment guidance.
Get your site-specific report and peace of mind, book your consultation today!
What is a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Certificate
A BAL Assessment Certificate determines the potential level of bushfire risk to your property. It is used to identify the construction requirements under AS 3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. The higher the BAL, the more stringent the construction requirements.
Who can complete a BAL Certificate?
In NSW, a BPAD-accredited bushfire consultant is required to prepare BAL reports, especially for Complying Development Applications. Resilient Bushfire Solutions is BPAD Level 2 accredited and can assist in providing a compliant BAL Certificate.
Need help with a BAL assessment? Contact us for a site-specific quote.
Are you BPAD accredited and what does that mean
Yes, we are BPAD Level 2 accredited through the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA
Australia). This accreditation ensures recognised, expert-level assessment and reporting
ensuring your BAL report meets legal and council requirements.
When do I need a bushfire assessment?
You may need a bushfire assessment report if your property is in a bushfire-prone area, and
you’re planning to:
• Build a new home or granny flat
• Subdivide land
• Renovate or extend an existing dwelling
• Lodge a Development Application (DA)
How long does it take to get a bushfire report?
Most reports are completed within 5-10 business days, depending on the complexity of your site
and the availability of required information. We offer fast turnaround options for urgent
applications.
What does a bushfire consultant do?
A bushfire consultant assesses your site, provides BAL ratings, develops bushfire protection
measures, and prepares reports to support Development Applications (DA) under Planning for
Bushfire Protection 2019 (PBP) and Section 4.14 of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979.
We work with homeowners, architects, and developers from early design through to approval
What areas do you service?
We are based in Wollongong and service the Illawarra, South Coast, Southwestern Sydney (Wollondilly Shire and Campbelltown Shire) Southern Highlands, Western Sydney, and can travel more broadly across NSW if needed.
Do you offer pre-purchase bushfire assessments?
Yes. We offer pre-purchase advice to help buyers understand the bushfire constraints on a
property before committing to a sale. This can save time, money, and reduce future risk.
What bushfire protection measures should I consider when designing a new home?
Design choices such as setbacks, building materials, access routes, and landscaping all impact
bushfire risk. We help integrate compliant and practical solutions from the outset