The Hon. Justin Madden MLC, Victorian Minister for Planning visited Archicentre to view some of the plans and also launched the new bushfires and building resources information page at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning

The website contains information about amendments to Victoria's Planning Provisions and planning schemes, which are designed to streamline bushfire recovery and rebuilding, as well as simplify the rules covering vegetation management around homes.

David Hallett, General Manager of Archicentre said the design service puts an architect on the site with families to discuss their design options and provide a design report plus sketches which can be used for initial discussions with local councils.

Mr Hallett said Archicentre will commence an additional one hundred reports, sponsored by Wood Naturally Better, and provide people with a direct personal contact to talk through the options for rebuilding.

"The service provides designs for 'lightweight fire resistant' homes to demonstrate to the public that bushfire resistant homes did not need to be constructed of brick on concrete slabs, but could be designed to be sympathetic with the character of some of the affected areas which had a weatherboard history.

"Building a new home at anytime is a personal matter, rebuilding after a catastrophic bushfire where people have lost everything is more demanding.

"The design concepts look at providing designs for individual lots and provide the opportunity for bushfire survivors to have input into the design process of the future home with the design brief reflecting the available budget.

"The design briefs will allow people to consider fire resistant designs which can be built in many environmentally sensitive areas with light weight construction materials."

Mr Hallett said bushfire survivors who lost their principal residence in the fire wanting to take advantage of the Archicentre Free Design Service should call Archicentre on 1300 13 45 13 or register online at www.archicentre.com.au