What is a Bushfire Management Statement and when is it required?

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 If your property is within a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) then a Bushfire Management Statement is required in the planning permit.

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A bushfire management statement (BMS) is included in the planning permit application to meet the requirements of Clauses 44.06 & 53.02 of the Victorian Planning Provisions. A Bushfire Management Statement can be of two Pathways. Pathway 1 & Pathway 2.

Pathway 1 can only be used for an application for a single dwelling on a lot in the Bushfire management Overlay and which meets all of the following requirements:

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  • The land is zoned Neighbourhood Residential Zone, General Residential Zone, Residential Growth Zone, Urban Growth Zone, Low Density Residential Zone, Township Zone or Rural Living Zone

  • There is only one dwelling on the lot

  • The application meets all of the approved measure contained in Clause 53.02-3

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A Pathway 2 is used for all other buildings (commercial, industrial, retail buildings, clubs, warehouses etc).

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A Bushfire Management Statement includes the following:

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  • A Bushfire Hazard landscape assessment

    • A plan that describes the bushfire hazard of the general locality more than 150 metres from the site.

  • A Bushfire hazard site assessment

    • A plan that describes the bushfire hazard within 150 metres of the proposed development.

  • A bushfire management statement

    • Describes how the proposed development responds to the requirements of Clause 44.06 and 53.02 of the Victorian Planning Provisions. 

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What is the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)?

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The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) applies to land that may be significantly affected by a bushfire. The BMO triggers the need for a planning permit for certain developments and requires new developments to include appropriate bushfire protection measures.

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The Bushfire Management Overlay is a planning control applied to land with the potential to be affected by extreme bushfires. New development and uses in the BMO may require a planning permit. This ensures that bushfire hazards, such as vegetation, slope and site access are assessed, and that bushfire protection measures are in place to manage risk.

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