What if I have a Bushfire Management Overlay on my property?

The purpose of the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) is to:

  • ensure that the development of land prioritises the protection of human life and strengthens community resilience to bushfire.
  • ensure that the location, design and construction of development appropriately responds to the bushfire hazard.
  • ensure development is only permitted where the risk to life, property and community infrastructure from bushfire can be reduced to an acceptable level.
  • specify location, design and construction measures for a single dwelling that reduces the bushfire risk to life and property to an acceptable level.

The BMO requires a planning permit for certain developments and subdivision, bushfire hazards to be assessed and implementation of bushfire protection measures. See the Bushfire Management Overlay for types of development and subdivision that require a planning permit.

You can find out if your property is covered by the BMO by visiting the VicPlan website for instructions.

What do I need to provide with my planning application?

Particular documents are required with each type of planning application. Please see the links below, to the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning website for BMO document requirements.

Click on the type of development you are undertaking in the BMO:

You may need to engage in a qualified professional to undertake some of this work.

Please visit Planning and Bushfire Management Overlay on the CFA website for Help and Advice, there is a link to a list of accredited Bushfire Planning and Design Practitioners (BPAD).