Our bushfire consultants at BEMC are trained professionals that assess the risk of bushfire-related damage to your land and property. We operate throughout Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and the Central Coast.
At Bushfire and Environmental Management Consultancy, we offer a range of bushfire services to reduce the risk of fire damage to your property and assets. Some of our typical clients include mum and dad developments, land developers, rural landowners or managers, local, federal and state agencies, and community or Aboriginal groups. No matter the type or size of the property – we can help to get it bushfire safe.
Why do you need a bushfire consultant
The heart of Bushfire Environmental Management Consultancy is delivering a professional service to meet our clients’ needs. Our dependability and client-focus provide BEMC with a platform to assist our clients in achieving their project requirements. Our passion is to ensure appropriate management and sustainable use of our natural resources, working ethically to ensure our landscape is enhanced for future potential.
BEMC Director Samantha has over 15 years’ experience in small business development and administration and has completed the University of Technology Sydney Bushfire Protection course. Samantha brings a high level of honesty and ethical behaviour to BEMC to ensure we provide excellent services to grow the company. Sam provides business management to our bushfire consultants.
You don’t need to be very close to a natural scrub or forest to feel the effects of a bushfire. The wind can spread embers from the fire in many different directions, causing smaller fires to appear elsewhere. They also spread a lot faster in hot weather and dry conditions. Our bushfire consultants at BEMC are trained professionals that assess the risk of bushfire-related damage to your land and property.
Some additional risks that our bushfire consultants aim to mitigate are the effects of radiant heat and smoke. The heat from a large wildfire can be just as damaging as the flames as it can melt through many different building materials. The smoke from a bushfire can be life-threatening and having an emergency evacuation plan in place is crucial to get out of the smoke.
Bushfires are a natural occurrence but they don’t need to pose a threat to our biodiversity, your property or your health. Choose BEMC as your professional team of bushfire consultants in Newcastle and surrounding areas. Our comprehensive bushfire risk mitigation services can help keep you and your property safe during the blaze.
At Bushfire Environmental Management Consultancy (BEMC), we firmly believe that effective consulting begins with truly understanding the unique needs of each client. Every property and project has its own set of challenges and opportunities, and our bushfire consultants in Newcastle take the time to listen and gain a comprehensive understanding of your goals. This client-first approach ensures that we provide solutions that are not only technically sound but also aligned with your specific requirements and priorities.
We begin every project with an in-depth consultation. This is not just a routine check but a tailored approach to get to the heart of your property’s characteristics, your development goals and the specific bushfire risks involved. Whether you’re constructing a residential home, developing a commercial property or managing a large rural estate, we adapt our services to suit your unique context.
During this consultation, we take the time to ask the right questions about your site’s topography, its proximity to bushland, local weather conditions and your plans for development. By gathering this information, our bushfire consultants in Newcastle ensure that we can accurately assess the risks and create a strategy that not only mitigates those risks but also enhances the safety and value of your property.
Our goal is to inform, not alarm. While bushfire risk can understandably be a concern, we aim to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. We break down complex concepts and technical aspects into easy-to-understand explanations. Our consultants will thoroughly explain the following:
Our commitment doesn’t end with the consultation. At BEMC, we act as a reliable partner throughout your project. Whether you’re applying for development approvals, revising plans to meet safety standards or working with local councils and the Rural Fire Service (RFS), we are with you every step of the way. Our team remains available to answer questions, offer guidance and ensure that your development stays on track and compliant with all necessary bushfire safety regulations.
By combining technical expertise with a client-first approach and clear communication, BEMC makes sure you are supported and empowered throughout the entire project lifecycle. Whether you’re a first-time homebuilder or an experienced developer, we make bushfire risk management straightforward and manageable.
Newcastle is a diverse urban region bordered by extensive bushland, nature reserves and rural landscapes, all of which contribute to the region’s bushfire vulnerability. Suburbs such as Rankin Park, Charlestown and Eleebana have unique risk profiles due to their proximity to reserves like Glenrock State Conservation Area and Blackbutt Reserve.
Bushfire consultants in Newcastle consider a wide range of variables, such as:
Understanding these factors helps us develop accurate risk mitigation plans that are responsive to both environmental trends and planning regulation updates.
No two sites are the same, and neither are their fire risks. That’s why our bushfire consultants in Newcastle take a tailored approach, adjusting strategies to the land use and property goals involved.
We help homeowners understand how to design dwellings that maximise both safety and aesthetic appeal while ensuring compliance with planning controls. We work with owner-builders and project home companies alike.
For large holdings or agricultural land, we provide hazard mapping, emergency access planning and ongoing fuel load management advice. We also support landowners applying for subdivision or secondary dwellings.
We assist developers with bushfire risk assessments for warehouses, factories, business parks and other commercial facilities that need to meet specific fire protection standards under PBP 2019.
Schools, childcare centres, aged care homes and medical facilities require enhanced protection measures. We are highly experienced in providing documentation and plans that satisfy council and RFS review panels for SFPP developments.
Multi-dwelling and strata-titled developments face unique fire safety challenges, particularly when located near bushland reserves or undeveloped land. BEMC’s bushfire consultants in Newcastle are highly experienced in assessing and managing fire risk for:
We help developers and body corporates navigate shared responsibilities around vegetation management, access routes, water supply points and emergency plans. Our reports and strategies ensure the entire site complies with bushfire protection standards and meets the needs of diverse occupants.
The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is a standardised measure that determines a site’s risk of exposure to bushfire hazards. Our bushfire consultants in Newcastle are trained to carry out both Method 1 (simplified) and Method 2 (detailed) assessments in accordance with AS 3959:2018. The BAL is calculated based on the following factors:
There are six Bushfire Attack Level categories, each representing a different level of risk and associated construction requirements:
Our bushfire assessment reports provide a clear and detailed explanation of how your BAL was determined, along with the specific construction measures required to ensure your development complies with the relevant Australian Standards.
Whether you’re building, renovating or planning, our team is ready to guide you through the bushfire compliance process. Reach out today and let’s talk about your project and how we can support it.
Samantha Jennings is the Director of Bushfire Environmental Management Consultancy P/L (BEMC) and Controlled Burning Contractors P/L (CBC). Samantha has completed the University of Technology Sydney – Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas and brings 20 years of small business management experience. Samantha ensures the governance, accounts, recruitment, and insurances of the businesses are maintained to industry standards and facilitate client engagement and satisfaction.
Duncan Scott-Lawson is the principal consultant for Bushfire Environmental Management Consultancy P/L (BEMC) and Controlled Burning Contractors P/L (CBC). Duncan has over 20-years’ experience in the bushfire industry through his previous employment with NSW government land management agency (National Parks). Duncan holds national accreditation in Prescribed burn planning and conduct, level 1 and 2 Incident Controller and recognised burn plan assessor when employed with NPWS. Duncan has undertaken a range of incident management roles during wildfire suppression that includes but not limited to planning, operations, divisional command, taskforce leader and aviation specialist (Aire Observer and Air Attack Supervisor). Duncan has been deployed interstate on several occasions to assist in wildfire suppression operations.
Duncan is top tier level 3 Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) fully accredited through Fire Protection Association Australia, completing tertiary education in Environmental Sciences (Hons) and Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection. Duncan has an extensive experience in bushfire planning in accordance with NSW RFS Planning for Bushfire Protection 2019, Australia Standard 3959:2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone area from strategic landscape planning, industrial, commercial, Special Fire Protection Purpose and residential developments.
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