In short:
CFA is seeking public feedback on proposed updates to fire safety guidelines for renewable energy facilities. Submissions are open until 30 October.
Have Your Say On Important Guidelines
The Country Fire Authority is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to fire safety guidelines for renewable energy facilities across Victoria.
The CFA has released draft updates to its Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Facilities, with submissions open until 30 October.
The guidelines cover fire safety and bushfire risk measures for the planning, design, construction and operation of facilities including solar farms, wind farms and battery storage systems.
Managing Changing Fire Risks
CFA Senior Manager Specialist Risk and Fire Safety Matt Allen said protecting emergency responders and the community remained a key focus as renewable energy development expanded.
“The pace of development and the broadening range of renewable energy technologies and their facility configurations continue to pose challenges for emergency management,” Mr Allen said.
“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 works with regulators and industry to ensure fire risk management is considered in the design and operation of renewable energy facilities.
Planning For Emergency Response
The draft guidelines are designed to reduce the occurrence and consequences of fires through risk-based facility design while allowing emergency services to respond safely and effectively.
“Our guidelines support operators to prepare Emergency Plans that effectively consider fire risk within the facility, from the facility and from bushfires,” Mr Allen said.
“We want to inform fire and risk management processes for all phases of a facilities lifespan, and it is important that we continue to revise them in the everchanging landscape.”
Feedback Open Until October
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said the guidelines had been developed and refined over several years using operational experience and research from previous incidents.
“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,” Mr Heffernan said.
“We look forward to reviewing and considering all submissions during the feedback period to provide a revised set of guidelines that will ensure CFA members feel comfortable and prepared to respond.”
Submissions on the draft guidelines close on 30 October.
To review the draft guidelines and provide feedback, click here.
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