Some land in Geelong is within an identified Bushfire Prone Area, and some land is subject to the Bushfire Management Overlay. Some land may be subject to both.

The purpose of the Area and the Overlay is to ensure that new subdivision and development is appropriately designed to withstand potential bushfire attack, with the primary objective of protecting human life.

To find out if your property is affected, create a VicPlan planning property report.

Bushfire Prone Area

Bushfire Prone Areas (BPAs) are defined as areas that are subject to, or which are likely to be subject to, bushfires. The level of construction required to respond to the local bushfire hazard will be determined at the building permit stage.

Where land is located within a Bushfire Prone Area only, a Bushfire Hazard Site Assessment, preferably prepared by a suitably qualified bushfire consultant should be submitted when applying for any planning permit.

Bushfire Management Overlay

Bushfire Management Overlays (BMOs) apply to land that may be significantly affected by a bushfire. The BMO triggers the need for a planning permit for certain uses, such as developments and subdivision, and requires appropriate bushfire protection measures such as a Bushfire Management Plan, which may include sufficient area for defendable space and accessibility.

Planning Permit Requirements

Talk to us about your proposal to confirm whether you require a bushfire plan. These requirements are included in Clause 44.06 of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.

For a more complex proposal you may need to work with a consultant to do a bushfire hazard assessment, a bushfire hazard landscape assessment and a bushfire management statement and report on each in your plan.

Other information to help you prepare your application:

• CFA Planning and Bushfire Management Overlay including a list of accredited Bushfire Planning and Design Practitioners (BPDP)
• CFA Plan and prepare - landscaping

When we receive a planning permit application for works in a bushfire Management Overlay, we will refer your application to the CFA (Country Fire Authority). The CFA will advise us what permit conditions it requires or if it objects to the granting of a planning permit.

Permits issued will include conditions that require owners to maintain their land in accordance with the approved bushfire plan.

Outbuildings

For non-habitable outbuildings that are less than 100sqm in size that are within the Bushfire Management Overlay or a Bushfire Prone Area, the application must be accompanied by an Outbuildings Bushfire Management Plan.

Construction Requirements for Building in a Bushfire Prone Area

To help ensure homes achieve an appropriate level of bushfire protection, new dwellings, as well as alterations and additions within a bushfire prone area, must be constructed in accordance with Australian Standard AS3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas. As part of the building permit process, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment is undertaken for the property. The BAL rating determines the construction standards and bushfire protection measures that must be incorporated into the building design.

The Australian Standard identifies six Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs), which reflect the potential exposure of a building to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact:

• BAL – LOW
• BAL – 12.5
• BAL – 19
• BAL – 29
• BAL – 40
• BAL – FZ (Flame Zone)

According to the BAL, increasing measures of protection will be required. In some cases, a Planning Permit may be refused.

For more information on building in a bushfire area, see the Victorian Building Authority's information on Living in a Bushfire Area.