Bushfire (Re) Build Expo a Blazing Success

Last Saturday’s Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise Bushfire (re) Build Expo was a blazing success with more than 750 people attending to get a first-hand understanding of the fire-resistant products required to build in the Blue Mountains.

Australia’s leading businesses in building or renovating in a bushfire zone gathered under one roof to provide personal advice and information to Blue Mountains residents on Saturday, February 22nd at Springwood Sports Club.

“Last year’s bushfires highlighted the enormous changes that have occurred to the regulations around building in a bushfire zone over the last decade. The planning, design and construction requirements have increased and the whole process can be confusing. The feedback we have received from Blue Mountains residents attending the expo is that this was a fantastic opportunity to better understand what products and services are on the market that meet these regulations.” said Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise (BMEE) Chairman, Donald Luscombe.

Clearly meeting a strong need and interest in the community, the BMEE Bushfire (re) Build Expo has attracted a plethora of praise from fire-affected residents and other residents building or renovating throughout the Blue Mountains.

One owner / builder who attended from Katoomba stated, “It was great to be able to talk to so many industry experts in one day in one room. I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality and diversity of the products on show. It was well worth the time.”

Another resident stated, “We found there was more information at the (re) Build Expo than we have found by researching fire-rated products for the past 2 years. We were also unaware so many of these specialist services were available locally.”

BMEE CEO, Jacqueline Brinkman was delighted by the strong attendance at Saturday’s event. “We are just so pleased to have been able to assist in a very practical way, those residents needing to rebuild following last year’s fires. In doing so, we have realised just how much expertise and experience exists within the Blue Mountains in regards to building design, construction and protection. Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise is working closely with industry to explore ways we can harness that competitiveness to create greater awareness of our local expertise and ultimately, more jobs locally.”

Blue Mountains City Council and the Rural Fire Service also exhibited at the Expo, providing valuable advice regarding zoning and regulations.

“Having the relevant agencies such as BMCC and RFS alongside the specialist building products and a team of local builders and architects made the Expo a truly collaborative event and I think this was the key to its success.” Said Ms Brinkman.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill attended the Bushfire Build Expo, saying, “The Bushfire Build Expo was an outstanding initiative of Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise and the Blue Mountains Design Group. The extraordinary level of attendance and the enthusiasm of residents demonstrate the need for local and accessible information on building or renovating in a bushfire prone area. In a City such as ours, it is in everyone’s interest to know about the latest fire-resistant building products and services. The Expo provided a practical solution for residents to make the important first step to be as informed as possible.”

For anyone who missed the Expo and for those who would like to follow up on any of the products and services on show, BMEE has developed an on-line directory of bushfire related products available.

BMEE is the peak regional economic development organisation for the Blue Mountains and has been coordinating the economic recovery subcommittee in the aftermath of the bushfires.