Bushfire Management Plan

7 min read

A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) outlines the bushfire protection measures that must be implemented as part of development in the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). BMPs specify the relevant construction standard (Bushfire Attack Level), defendable space, water supply and emergency services vehicle access. These measures are required by the Victoria Planning Provisions and aim to reduce the risk from bushfire to an acceptable level. Learn more about Bushfire Management Plans and find a range of standard templates on this page.

Summary

Most applications made under the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) will need a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP).
Applications made using a schedule to the BMO require a BMP.
BMPs show the required bushfire protection measures including defendable space, construction standard, water supply and access.
Find a range of BMP templates for standard applications available on this page.

What is a Bushfire Management Plan?

A single-page, landscape document split in two halves. On the left half of the page is an aerial photograph of the property, with dwelling footprint, defendable space zone, access and water tank are all marked. On the right side of the page is a list of the relevant bushfire protection measures which apply to the permit. — A sample Bushfire Management Plan for a new dwelling in the schedule to the BMO. The Plan outlines defendable space and construction requirements.

A Bushfire Management Plan is an annotated map showing all of the bushfire protection measures that must be implemented as part of a development to reduce the risk from bushfire to an acceptable level. The BMP must be endorsed and adhered to as part of the planning permit.

The bushfire protection measures addressed in a BMP will normally include:

Construction standards - the required Bushfire Attack Level
Defendable space - how much and how far vegetation around the building must be managed
Water supply requirements - for firefighting purposes
Vehicle access requirements - to allow emergency vehicle access

Learn more bushfire protection measures and how they form the standard planning permit conditions.

When to submit a Bushfire Management Plan

Most planning permit applications made to council for land within the BMO must include a Bushfire Management Plan, including when complying with a schedule to the BMO.

CFA strongly encourages applicants to submit a Bushfire Management Plan as part of any application made under BMO.