Life in Australia has recently been dominated by the bushfires and the devastating outcome on the community, wildlife and property. In this Debuilt Debrief, we review and reflect on the property industry’s response to the bushfires.   

More than 10.7 million hectares of land have burned (an area larger than Portugal) and over 2,800 homes have been destroyed. Whilst these statistics are staggering, it is difficult to quantify the trauma the communities in rural Australia are experiencing.

It’s reported that a combined AUD$500 million has been raised by crowd-funding efforts and donations around the world. Additionally, the Australian government has pledged $2 billion toward the rebuilding of these communities. This represents an outpouring of support from individuals, companies and government in Australia and around the world.

This support through donations of money, clothes and food to charities and the volunteer response has been, and continues to be, about the crisis response, the vital ‘short game’. The ‘long game’ is about the future of our communities, our environment and the built form.

Crisis relief — the short game

The property industry has responded to the crisis through monetary support, emergency accommodation and services to assist the next phase of rebuilding. Industry emergency response is summarised here:

• Several hotel groups were quick off the mark to provide free emergency accommodation and property corporates and individuals alike have been generous with financial support.  The Property Council of Australia identifies several key donators to the relief efforts, including; Stockland, Lendlease and Mirvac, each pledging more than $500,000. 

• The Urban Developer reported on several companies (including Riverlee, Glenvill, Tomorrow Agency, Neue Media, Metric, Lechte Corporation, Beulah International and Salta Property) who have collaborated, organising a luncheon aiming to raise $200,000 for Zoos Victoria and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. (The Urban Developer: Property Industry United to Raise Funds for Bushfire Recovery, 2020.)

• Of note is the inspiring response of architects who rallied around Atelier Jiri Lev founder, Jiri Lev, to form Architects Assist; a coordination of more than 450 practices across the country offering pro-bono design and planning expertise to those rebuilding their lives after the bushfires. (Australian architects offer pro-bono design services to those impacted by bushfire crisis, Dezeen, 2020)

• The Australian Institute of Architects has also assisted aid efforts by providing regional response teams and master planning groups. It is currently developing programs that address community engagement methodologies to understand and improve trauma. 

• The Real Estate Institute of Australia announced a three-phase plan involving the whole property industry called ‘Beyond the Brick’. Phase 1 provides immediate financial relief to those most in need. Phase 2 will assist rebuilding homes and communities. Phase 3 will help restore communities by providing ongoing support.

Future focus — the long game

An important element of the long game will focus on the ability of our buildings, communities and lifestyles to adapt to a changing climate.                                         

Whilst there is rigorous discussion regarding minimising the human impact on the environment and climate, our ability to become resilient to destructive climatic events, regardless of their cause.  What does this look like? 

There is now significant debate taking place about further preventative measures and the capacity of our buildings to withstand bushfires and whether improved and regionally specific building codes are required to enhance bushfire resistance. It is likely that the mooted Royal Commission will result in additional recommendations regarding further adaptation of the building codes.

David Williams, CEO of the Planning Institute of Australia, has offered the expertise of planners to aid relief of the bushfires. However, in his article on The Fifth Estate, he clearly states that the success of preventative measures relies on the teamwork of many different sectors of Australian industry including mining and agriculture. Williams also singled out the federal government to assist in the long game: 

“Planners want to do their job leading recovery… to help craft a long-term view that assists structural adjustment in the economy, social changes and lifestyle changes associated with adaptation. We expect the Australian government to do its job and make a meaningful response to reducing greenhouse emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.” 

The CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific body, confirms that since the 1950’s, Australia has seen a “long-term increase in extreme fire weather and in the length of the fire season...Human-caused climate change has resulted in more dangerous weather conditions for bushfires in many regions of Australia.”

There is good evidence that key players in the Australian property industry have been leading the way in both the short and the long game. The Property Council and numerous commercial property owners and builders have for years been focused on reducing the carbon emissions produced by buildings throughout their complete life cycle. Additionally, and prior to the bushfires, a group of architects came together under the banner of Architects Declare with a commitment to becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2020. There are now over 830 firms that have signed up to the commitment!

There is certainly justification to support a kinder and lighter touch to our environment. The real unknown is whether the federal government will now move from being a spectator to being a real player committed to the long game.

If you would like to assist with bushfire relief efforts, we recommend looking at the CFA’s website for options.

 Debuilt Property is a member of Architects Assist. We are also working towards a Melbourne-based initiative to assist with long terms solutions for rural communities affected. More updates will come. 

If you are concerned with the validity of any statements made in this article, please contact admin@debuilt.com.au for a referenced version.