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Bushfire Management Overlay

On 3 October 2017, the Minister for Planning updated the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) maps across Victoria. This Planning Scheme Amendment can be viewed at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) website.

The update was a key recommendation of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, and ensures consistent bushfire mapping and planning policies apply across the state. These mapping changes apply criteria developed by the Victorian Government, the CFA and CSIRO.

As part of this state-wide review of bushfire hazard mapping, properties in Casey that are at risk from high bushfire hazard, have now been included in the BMO. While existing homes and approved developments are not required to make changes, in future, a planning permit will be required to subdivide land, build a new house or significantly extend an existing house under the BMO planning control. This planning permit will ensure that bushfire hazards such as vegetation, slope and site access are assessed, and that safety measures are in place to manage bushfire risk. This is in addition to the requirements of other planning controls that may already apply to a property.

If your property is in an area with the potential to be affected by extreme bushfires, it is strongly recommended that you have a bushfire survival plan in place, obtain advice on appropriate building insurance, and prepare your home and property to manage bushfire risk.

Bushfire Management Overlay - Frequently asked Questions

For more information

For more information on the update, to understand how the planning controls apply to other parts of our community, and to understand how to best protect your property for bushfire, please visit the DELWP website.

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