Bushfire Management Overlay

Purpose of the Bushfire Management Overlay

The Victoria Planning Provisions and local planning schemes require appropriate bushfire protection measures to be implemented when developing in the BMO.

When does the Bushfire Management Overlay apply?

Find out if the BMO applies to your land by putting your address into the state government’s planning tool, VicPlan. It will generate a planning property report, with a list of the zones and overlays that apply to your land.

Details on the exact requirements of the BMO and other bushfire planning controls can be found within the Victoria Planning Provisions and your local planning scheme.

Applying for a planning permit in the BMO

Except when applying under a schedule to the BMO, applications for a planning permit within the BMO must be accompanied by:

• Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment
• Bushfire Hazard Landscape Assessment
• Bushfire Management Statement
• Bushfire Management Plan

Refer to Department of Transport and Planning's website for information about how to prepare an application that adequately addresses bushfire risk.

Applicants should consider key bushfire policies within the state planning provisions at Clause 13.02-1S, Clause 44.06, Clause 53.02 and Clause 71.02-3.

Planning permits are granted only when the CFA and the responsible authority (normally local council) are satisfied that a proposal meets the objectives of the bushfire policies within the Victoria Planning Provisions and bushfire risk is reduced to an acceptable level.

Engaging a bushfire consultant

Planning for bushfire can be complex. You may need to engage a level 2 or level 3 accredited bushfire consultant to help you prepare your application. Fire Protection Association of Australia provides a list of accredited consultants. Find an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design Practitioner (BPAD).

Need more help?

If you need general help and advice about applying for a permit, contact the relevant local council. They are the Responsible Authority under the Planning Act and make final decisions on planning applications.

Glossary

To help explain common terms used in the permit process, we have created a glossary.

CFA's role in the application process

CFA acts as a referral authority under section 55 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 for developments and subdivisions in the Bushfire Management Overlay.

We provide advice to councils (Responsible Authorities) on permit applications so that informed decisions can be made. Council is responsible for liaising with permit applicants, but sometimes CFA is asked by council to speak with applicants.

CFA also provides informal advice to councils on bushfire or emergency service requirements in relation to planning applications.

Key CFA resources for practitioners

Resources

Bushfire Hazard Landscape Assessment guidelines in the BMO

CFA has prepared guidelines for applying the Bushfire Hazard Landscape Assessment in the BMO. These guidelines are designed to help practitioners consulting on more complex bushfire environments (Type 3 or Type 4).

Download (PDF, 349 KB)

Tank connection specifications in the BMO

Water access is a key bushfire protection measure within the BMO. In order for CFA to access the on-site water supply for firefighting purposes, a fire truck must be able to connect its hoses onto the water tank. These guidelines outline CFA's connection requirements.

Download (PDF, 1.8MB)

Application of 'shielding' in the BMO

This fact sheet outlines CFA’s approach to the shielding provisions of Australian Standard 3959 - Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas when developing in the Bushfire Management Overlay.

Download (PDF, 196KB)

Use of remote outlets on water supply tanks in the BMO

This fact sheet outlines CFA’s approach for the use of remote outlets on water supply tanks in the Bushfire Management Overlay.

Download (PDF, 3.5MB)

Download

Page last updated: Thursday, 17 September 2026 6:13:30 PM