This paper reports on a study of 250 homes rebuilt after the 2003 Canberra bushfires. It argues the planning regulations that govern building envelopes do not take into consideration the landscape impact of redevelopment in garden suburbs, and that planning controls should consider sanctioning landscape spaces on residential blocks subject to redevelopment.

This Interim Report makes 51 recommendations and is the culmination of six months' work, including four weeks of community consultations; examination of more than 1,260 submissions and eight weeks of public hearings involving a total of 87 witnesses.

Reducing the overall number of deliberate bushfires not only reduces the amount of damage they cause, it frees up resources to fight and investigate the most serious fires.