03 Aug Prepare, respond and recover – what you need to know about this bushfire season

After enduring three ultra-wet summers, Australia is in for some extreme weather of a different kind.

In September 2023, The Bureau of Meteorology declared the country was officially experiencing El Nino weather patterns. That occurs when Pacific Ocean temperatures rise, resulting in a shift in atmospheric circulation. In Australia, that typically means hotter temperatures, reduced rainfall and increased fire danger. With it comes heightened risk for property and business owners.

With another big dry session upon us, there’s the potential for bushfires to affect both your business premises and your day-to-day operations. Here are some measures that could help your business become more bushfire-resilient this summer.

Maintain your premises

Regular maintenance can help to make your building and its surroundings less flammable. Cleaning the gutters, keeping grass short and land clear around buildings are all valuable steps toward reducing the potential impacts of bushfire.

Strengthen your defences

Depending on the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating of your premises and your budget, you may consider investing in some building modifications. For example, installing fireproof shutters and fitting seals around doors and windows can help to slow the spread of fire and reduce the damage it can cause.

Follow official information

It’s important to follow official sources of information if you’re concerned about extreme weather or natural disasters in your area. Keep up-to-date with your local Fire Services for more information about being prepared.

Plan for the worst

Even if your premises aren’t directly affected, being in a bushfire zone can disrupt your operations. That’s why it’s important to have a continuity plan that details the steps you’d take to maintain ‘business as usual’. Depending on the nature of your business, it might include identifying an alternative location, securing back-up suppliers in case yours are unable to deliver and ensuring your business information is backed up in the cloud so it’s accessible from anywhere.

Review your insurance

Insurance can help you recover, should your business be impacted by bushfire. Understanding what your property policy covers is critical. Current BAL ratings may mean a premises needs to be repaired or rebuilt to a higher standard. Building costs inflation may also see you having to spend more than you expected, to make good any fire damage. Obtaining a quote for a complete rebuild from a reputable builder can help you determine whether your current cover is adequate. It’s also important to consider the ongoing expenses you’d have if your business ceased generating revenue for an extended period – think wages, supplier invoices and loan repayments. Business interruption insurance can help you get through the crisis by protecting your cash flow and helping your business keep running after a catastrophic event.

Source: Steadfast Group Ltd ACN 073 659 677, Tools to help your business prepare for bushfire season, 2023

Having appropriate insurance in place can help to mitigate the risk posed by extreme weather events, including bushfires. If it’s been a while since you reviewed your cover, now is a great time to check whether your policies still meet your needs. For a conversation about your cover, please contact us below.