So after discussions with architects, designers and builders for the last year we’ve finally settled on a plan.  We’ve moved away from the pavilion style and gone to a slab on ground approach for better bushfire safety, and because our block has been classified BAL FZ we’ve made sure there’s not a great deal of glass that will require bushfire shutters. 

We’ve submitted a request to council to remove more trees to lower the bushfire threat.  We had a report recommending a 24 metre buffer around the house to reduce to the BAL to 40.  As well as increasing the safety to us and the house, we will be able to save a substantial amount of money by avoiding installing bushfire shutters.

So with any luck the builder will be on site at the end of June or early July, so that will give us a completion date around Christmas.  So we’re hoping for a dry spell for the next 6 months and that the builder doesn’t decide to go on Chrissy holidays early.