22 Sep Urban Development in a Bushfire Management Overlay
There have been a number of changes to the Bushfire Management Overlay and Clause 52.47 (Planning For Bushfire), particularly in relation to applications in established urban areas. Recently I had an application in Seaford (Frankston City Council) that allowed me to experience what the recent changes mean in a practical sense.
The first thing I noted was that there is a new option for single dwelling developments in urban areas. This new option specifies three requirements to be met for single dwellings. If these requirements are met the reporting requirements under the Bushfire Management Overlay are significantly reduced and the process will hopefully be streamlined.
One of the requirements is for the defendable space setbacks to be met for the chosen Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), up to a BAL29. The defendable space setback is a single setback (separate inner and outer setback are no longer used) and the defendable space calculations are now based on a Fire Danger Index (FDI) of 100 (previously FDI120), which results in a reduced overall setback requirement. In addition, managed land such as other residential properties can now be included as part of the defendable space, where there is a reasonable assurance that the land will continue to be managed. Together this results in defendable space requirements that are reasonable and achievable for single dwellings in existing settlements, making it easier for landowners to be able to build a new or upgraded dwelling within these established areas.
The other requirements to be met relate to appropriate siting of the dwelling, water supply and vehicle access. If all requisites are complied with the application needs are simplified with reduced reporting and plan obligations.
Also, the CFA have reduced the water supply requirements for smaller lots and those within proximity to a hydrant.
Overall I have found the process to be much simpler so far. The changes have resulted in bushfire controls that are more reasonable and provide a more practical solution to building a home in an urban area. I’m now waiting to see what the referral from the CFA will bring as my application progresses through town planning, hopefully nothing but the standard conditions that I expect to be added to the planning permit.