Archicentre Bushfire Rebuild Scheme Launched - left: Ric Sinclair, Managing Director, Forest Woods Products; Cr. Len Cox, Mayor, Shire of Yarra Ranges; David Stirling; Darren Nixon, Business Development Manager, James Hardie; Leanne Stirling; Terrence Nott, Architect; Robert Caulfield, Managing Director, Archicentre and Kirstie Marshall MP, Member for Forest Hill. 

 

Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said the new service will put an architect on the block 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 Caulfield said the service, sponsored by James Hardie and Wood Naturally Better, will provide people with a direct personal contact to talk through the options for rebuilding.

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 will look at providing designs for individual blocks 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.  

The new program was launched on Saturday 18 July 2009 at the Shire of Yarra Ranges Rebuild Expo at the Lilydale Showground's with David and Leanne Stirling who lost their businesses and home in the Black Saturday bushfires. 

Mr Caulfield said bushfire survivors who lost their principal place of residence in the fires and 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