Bushfire Planning

There are so many acronyms when it comes to bushfire. What do they all mean?

Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)

Bushfire prone areas (BPA) are where the bushfire hazard has been identified and mapped under the building system. These areas are subject to or likely to be subject to bushfires. This triggers building permit requirements where new buildings are required to build to a national bushfire construction standard. This is known as a bushfire attack level (BAL).

Bushfire Management Overlay

The bushfire management overlay (BMO) applies to land that may be significantly affected by extreme bushfires.

A planning permit is required for some types of development to ensure bushfire risk is considered and bushfire protection measures are in place.

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)

A bushfire attack level (BAL) is a way of measuring the severity of a building's potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact.

Bushfire Management Statement (BMS)

A bushfire management statement is a detailed written assessment required for planning applications in the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). If your property is in the BMO and you need a planning permit to build or subdivide, you'll need a BMS prepared by an accredited bushfire consultant. A BMS addresses the three application requirements of Clauses 44.06 and 53.02 of the Victorian Planning Scheme:

  • Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment - an assessment of the bushfire hazard on and around your property

  • Bushfire Hazard Landscape Assessment - a broader assessment of the bushfire risk in the surrounding landscape

  • Bushfire Management Statement - a written statement demonstrating how your proposal responds to the identified bushfire risk

Bushfire Management Plan (BMP)

A bushfire management plan is a scaled site plan that accompanies the BMS and visually shows how the bushfire protection measures will be implemented on your property. This includes defendable space, vegetation management zones, access arrangements, water supply locations, and construction requirements.

My property is identified is of a high bushfire risk and I want to build

Macedon Ranges Bushfire and Planning are experienced, qualified town planners who are also accredited bushfire consultants. They are accredited through the Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) accreditation scheme by the Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA).

The Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) is the technical and educational fire safety organisation within Australia. FPA Australia administers the BPAD Accreditation Scheme, which was first developed and implemented in 2006 in response to demands for a recognition program for practitioners who help clients undertaking development on land subject to bushfire impact.

Accredited practitioners are recognised by industry, regulators, fire agencies, end-users, and the community as providers of professional bushfire assessment, planning, design, and advice services.

The Scheme provides an enhanced level of confidence that practitioners providing bushfire planning and design services are accredited by a suitably robust scheme that complies with government and community needs and is administered by the national peak body for fire protection

Macedon Ranges Bushfire and Planning prepare BAL assessments, bushfire management statements and bushfire management plans to the standard required by councils and the CFA across Victoria.

Forest fire on a hillside with smoke rising from the trees during sunset.

When we complete the bushfire assessment you require based what you are building and whether you are in land that is bushfire prone or within the BMO, you receive a professionally prepared report that includes:

  • Your BAL rating

  • The methodology and data used in the assessment

  • A site plan showing assessed vegetation and measurement distances

  • The corresponding construction requirements under AS 3959

  • Recommendations for improving your BAL rating where applicable

We visit your property and assess the key factors that determine your BAL rating:

  • The type and classification of vegetation within 100-150 metres of your proposed building

  • The slope of the land between the vegetation and your building site

  • The distance from the vegetation to the building

  • The relevant Fire Danger Index for your area