Building in the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world with a history of catastrophic bushfires. The bushfire management overlay (BMO) applies to land that may be significantly affected by extreme bushfires.

Planning schemes guide the development of land in areas of high bushfire hazard. The location, siting, design and construction of development and the implementation of bushfire protection measures are considered where the Bushfire Management Overlay applies.

To find out if your property is under a BMO visit VicPlan, the state wide map viewer for location based planning scheme information.

Applications for a planning permit may require the provision of:

• A bushfire hazard site assessment including a plan that describes the bushfire hazard within 150 metres of the proposed development. The description of the hazard must be prepared in accordance with Sections 2.2.3 to 2.2.5 of AS3959:2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas (Standards Australia) excluding paragraph (a) of section 2.2.3.2. Photographs or other techniques may be used to assist in describing the bushfire hazard.

• A bushfire hazard landscape assessment including a plan that describes the bushfire hazard of the general locality more than 150 metres from the site. Photographs or other techniques may be used to assist in describing the bushfire hazard. This requirement does not apply to a dwelling that includes all of the approved measures specified in Clause 53.02-3.

• A bushfire management statement describing how the proposed development responds to the requirements in this clause and Clause 53.02. If the application proposes an alternative measure, the bushfire management statement must explain how the alternative measure meets the relevant objective.

For more information on the BMO, bushfire hazard assessments or any other bushfire consulting issue, please call us at Morrahan Services.

You can also visit the Victorian Planning Scheme for more information on Clause 44.06 Bushfire Management Overlay here.