CFA seeks feedback

The CFA is seeking community feedback on updated design guidelines for assessing bushfire risk and fire safety at renewable energy facilities.

CFA's Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Facilities are currently being updated. The guidelines support planning authorities, designers and operators of renewable energy facilities in relation to bushfire risk and fire safety.

CFA senior manager specialist risk and fire safety Matt Allen said providing for the safety of emergency responders and the community at large-scale renewable energy facilities remained a primary focus for CFA.

"CFA's Renewable Energy Design Guidelines and Model Requirements Renewable Energy provides standard measures for fire safety, risk and emergency management in designing, constructing and operating new renewable energy facilities or upgrades to those already existing," Mr Allen said.

"The pace of development and the broadening range of renewable energy technologies and their facility configurations continue to pose challenges for emergency management.

"We hope the community takes the time to review the updates and share their feedback as we want to ensure all points of view are considered."

CFA's Specialist Risk and Fire Safety Unit (SRFSU) works with regulators and industry to ensure fire risk management is considered and addressed in the design and operation of renewable energy facilities such as solar farms, wind farms and battery storage solutions.

Mr Allen said the new draft guidelines were designed to reduce the occurrence and consequences of fire at such facilities through risk-based design that enabled safe and effective response.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the guidelines and working with local facilities helped when CFA firefighters responded to emergency situations.
"These guidelines have been developed and refined over a number of years and have been informed by operational experience and extensive research from previous incidents," he said.
The draft guidelines can be reviewed on CFA's website until October 30 at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy