Birchs Bay artist devastated by bunker fine, vows to fight on

Tasmanian artist Wendy Edwards says she is devastated by the hefty fine copped for installing a bushfire bunker that’s certified interstate on her Birchs Bay property. What’s next.

Wendy Edwards' bushfire bunker at Birchs Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmanian artist Wendy Edwards says she will continue the fight to keep her bushfire bunker approved, admitting she is devastated by the hefty fine and court verdict.

Wendy Helen Edwards was last week convicted of building a fire bunker on her Birchs Bay property without a permit and fined $8000.

Edwards had previously pleaded guilty to one count respectively of carrying out building work without a valid permit, performing work in a bushfire-prone area and failure to comply with a building order.

Magistrate Andrew McKee also ordered that Edwards immediately stop using the $20,000 shelter and complete the building work or demolish it within 12 months.

This includes obtaining approval from a building surveyor and the Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS) before sending it to the Kingborough Council.

Wendy Edwards' bushfire bunker at Birchs Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

Following the fallout from the court case, Edwards said it’s “hard to feel positive” about being able to keep the bunker constructed by Wildfire Safety Bunkers.

“It would be devastating to lose the bunker and potentially my property,” she said.

In 2019, Edwards retrospectively applied for approval on the bunker after installing it, including it as part of a development application for an extension of her one-bedroom property.

Issues with both the extension and now approval for the bunker could hold up Edwards’ 12-month deadline for completion of work.

Edwards believes the difficulty in getting bushfire bunkers approved in Tasmania may deter other people from installing their own.

Wendy Edwards' bushfire bunker at Birchs Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We are in a bushfire-prone area and know the risks of the land we live on,” she said.

“This bunker is built by an accredited company that meets certifications in Victoria, why is it so difficult to get the same approval for a state that faces very similar risks and has a very similar environment and climate?”

Kingborough mayor Paula Wriedt said it “fully supports” planning and building-compliant bushfire shelters, previously partaking in a State Government working group on improving awareness of the certification process for private bushfire shelters.

“Kingborough Council strongly encourages any landowners to seek professional advice and to engage with the Council Planning and Building staff before undertaking the installation of a private bushfire shelter,” she said.

Wendy Edwards' bushfire bunker at Birchs Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

The TFS spokeswoman also said it supported private bushfire bunkers, but only when constructed in “accordance with relevant building and planning legislation”.

“Extreme caution should be taken when deciding to install and use a private bushfire shelter and they should only be considered as part of an integrated approach to bushfire protection and not as a stand-alone bushfire safety solution,” the spokeswoman said.

“The construction of a private bushfire shelter is subject to Tasmanian building legislation and is classed as a Class 10c building under the National Construction Code which requires building surveyor certification.

“A planning permit may also be required.”