Updated: Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO) Applicant's Kit with printer friendly version also available.
Fire safety is just one aspect of good house design.
If you want to manage your bushfire risk or reduce your chance of experiencing a house fire, there are many steps you can take when designing and building your home.
Where you site your home on your property, the type of house you build, the materials you use and the way you prepare your garden can all influence the success of defending your home during a bushfire.
If you are building in an area with a bushfire risk, your property may be subjected to a Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO). Your council's planning scheme has identified areas where the likelihood and consequence of a bushfire is severe and it is these areas that are subject to the provisions of the WMO.
Your self assessment may need to be supported by a Wildfire Development Plan or a planning report as part of your permit application. Refer to the example Wildfire Development Plan (pdf 164k) and WMO planning report (Warning Large File pdf 2440k).
CFA engages in Land Use Planning to support its objective of improving community safety in wildfires. CFA is a Referral Authority in all municipal planning schemes for subdivisions that create a road and for areas that are subject to a WMO.
There are also steps you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing a house fire, including:
For further information on making your home safe from bushfire and house fire, go to:
CFA Advice regarding Working with Polystyrene Void Formers (pdf 147k)
