The building and planning systems regulate development in areas where there is a bushfire hazard.
These controls aim to make people and buildings safer from the impacts of bushfire.
People in bushfire areas may:
Be in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)
Areas that are likely to experience bushfires are designated as Bushfire Prone Areas.
If your property is in a designated bushfire prone area (BPA), your building permit will require that you meet specific construction standards for bushfire protection.
If your development requires a planning permit your planning permit application will need to address the bushfire hazard.
Also be in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)
The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) applies to land that may be significantly affected by extreme bushfires.
If your property is in a BMO, you may need a planning permit if you want to build or develop your land.
Have access to permit exemptions to clear vegetation
For bushfire protection, a planning permit may not be required for:
Do bushfire controls apply to your property?
To see if the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), including any schedule and Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) applies to your property:
- Use VicPlan to:
- create a free Planning Property Report
- view the BMO and BPA in a custom map.
- More on using VicPlan
- Visit your local council office to view the BPA map and BMO planning scheme maps.
Contact your local council for assistance with the planning and building requirements.
Potential and existing owners of property in the BMO and BPA should be aware of any ongoing planning permit obligations on the land
More information
Prepare your property
Property owners can prepare for a bushfire event in other ways, such as knowing the location of their local community safer places, having a bushfire plan or learning about bushfire behaviour. For more information, refer to the weblinks below:
BMO map reviews
The department reviews the BMO mapping twice a year.
A request to remove the BMO from land can be made at any time by the property owner or local government.
Private bushfire shelters
Page last updated: 07/08/20