Victoria’s bushfire high risk zones revealed, could cost $140bn+ in rebuilding

PointData has identified the areas across Victoria most at-risk of bushfires this summer.

---

Sweltering heat and dry conditions predicted for this summer could see Victoria’s most bushfire-prone areas spend more than $140bn in rebuilding costs.

Using AI technology and global elevation data, the PointData Bushfire Risk Index estimates 176,329 buildings and structures are in danger if bushfires rage across the state, with the Yarra Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, East Gippsland, Cardinia and Nillumbik municipalities highlighted in the report.

RELATED: How much Melbourne home prices could rise in 2024

Big change to Vic homes that you’ll see in 2024

Melbourne on track for wrong home boom

The property technology firm has estimated $144bn in rebuilding costs for homes and property classified as high risk across the state.

PointData’s founder and chief executive George Giannakodakis said despite the initial relief provided by the wet start to summer along the east coast, the enduring threat of bushfires remained strong.

“The consequences of bushfire risk extend far beyond the immediate devastating impacts, as enduring costs are significant, with our analysis suggesting a risk of more than $504bn to buildings and structures across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria this summer,” Mr Giannakodakis said.

He said it was up to the homeowner to look at building and planning codes to see if their residence met fire safety standards.

“How every building responds is different depending on how well they’ve actually responded to those planning and building code requirements,” Mr Giannakodakis said.

“If it doesn’t and there’s no onus, then really the homeowner is taking on that risk.”

The PointData Bushfire Risk Index showing Victoria’s most at-risk areas this summer.

---

The Yarra Ranges has the most buildings and structures at risk of bushfire damage at 24,059. The Mornington Peninsula rounds out the state’s top five suburbs most at risk with 11,585 properties potentially in danger should a bushfire occur there.

A Yarra Ranges Council spokeswoman said the municipality had a responsibility to manage both their own assets and to promote fire preparation in the community as well.

“We have officers that go around the municipality and look at people’s property and see how much is at risk and then we issue them with a fire prevention notice and that gives them a time frame for cleaning up their land,” she said.

She added if people didn’t “clean up” their property, they were fined around $1923 and the council would send contractors at the cost of the homeowner.

So far this year, 469 properties had been inspected and the Council had issued 216 fire prevention notices already with a deadline of December 18.

“We’ve not had a normal fire season for many years due La Nina, so El Nino is creating the fire season again; there’s an increased fire risk this year than there has been over the past three or four years,” she said.

Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan said while Victorians could expect fire risk in the coming months to be above average across southwestern and central Victoria, they would be well protected this fire season.

MOST AT-RISK AREAS ACROSS VICTORIA FOR BUSHFIRE DAMAGE

Local government area – Number of buildings and structures under high risk of bushfires

1. Yarra Ranges – 24,059

2. Mornington Peninsula – 11,585

3. Nillumbik – 9,520

4. East Gippsland – 7,792

5. Cardinia – 7,636

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

MORE: Rundown 170yo farm totally restored, now has cafe, shop

How Christmas can warp the real estate market

Intense heat on tenants who face nightmare summer

sarah.petty@news.com.au