| Bushfire Risk Areas |
Wildfires are a natural and fundamental component of our landscape.
However they pose a threat to life and property every summer and
tragically losses occur every few years. Proper land use planning
can help ensure that future development is more capable of withstanding
wildfire.
Council's planning schemes identify areas where there is a heightened
risk to life and property from wildfire. These areas are mapped
by the Wildfire Management Overlay.
The Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO) applies to these areas, and places control on buildings and works associated with specified land uses, which have the potential to increase the number of people in the area. The Wildfire Management Overlay is at clause 44.06 of your council's planning scheme.
You will need to contact your local council to determine whether the WMO has been applied to your land or building area.
The WMO Applicant's Kit is designed to assist you, the applicant, in carrying out a self-assessment of your property to develop a proposal that meets the requirements of the WMO, including the preparation of a statement to support your proposal. The kit has also been prepared to assist planners at your council assess your proposal in an efficient way.
WMO Applicant's Kit (pdf 851k) Printer friendly version (pdf 815k)
The self-assessment includes an analysis of vegetation management, access and water supply requirements and may form part or all of your statement. The kit takes you through a series of steps to achieve this.
The more accurate and complete the information you provide to the council, the quicker your application can be assessed.
Upon completion of the self-assessment, you should understand the development requirements required to satisfy the WMO. You will also be in a better position to know whether you can or want to meet these.
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).
The completed self-assessment must be submitted to council as it forms part of your application for a planning permit.
CFA engages in Land Use Planning to support its objective of improving community safety in wildfires. It is CFA's position that people and their property should be able to survive the passage of a wildfire. CFA is a Referral Authority in all municipal planning schemes for subdivisions that create a road and for areas that are subject to a Wildfire Management Overlay.
Find out more about Land Use Planning.
