Bushfire planning and building provisions ensure that bushfire protection measures are included for new development in areas identified as a bushfire risk.

The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) includes a statutory provision in planning schemes and a map showing where the provisions apply to specific land.

The BMO is intended:-

• to assist to strengthen community resilience to bushfire
• to identify areas where the bushfire hazard requires specified bushfire protection measures for subdivision and buildings and works to be implemented
• to ensure that the location, design and construction of development considers the need to implement bushfire protection measures, and
• to ensure that development does not proceed unless the risk to life and property from bushfire can be reduced to an acceptable level

The BMO requires that any planning permit issued in areas identified as having a significant bushfire hazard must include a condition that requires the owner to maintain the bushfire mitigation measures included in the planning permit on a continuing basis.

Similarly, planning permits issued for land subdivision in areas identified as having a significant bushfire hazard must include a requirement for an S173 agreement to be registered on title.

The BMO allows applicants to see how their development will be assessed in regard to matters such as building siting, defendable space, on-site water supply and emergency vehicle access.

For further information, visit DPCD's planning and building for bushfire protection, which includes their planning and building for bushfire protection fact sheet, read CFA publications and Council's BMO advice sheet, and contact Planning Services on 9433 3343.