Question 1

Is your property in a bushfire prone area?

Accepted Answer

In Victoria, there are 2 categories for properties at risk of bushfires:
- Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)
- Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

Most rural & urban fringe areas of Victoria are in a 'Bushfire Prone Area' (BPA), in addition the more extreme areas will also have a 'Bushfire Management Overlay' (BMO). To view a map of these areas, click here.(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bushfire-map)

Your property will be in one of the following 4 groups:

1. Not in a Bushfire Prone Area.

2. In a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).

3. In a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) and a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO).

4. In a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA), a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), and have a schedule to the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO#).

To find out which bushfire area your property is in, click here,(https://www.land.vic.gov.au/property-and-parcel-search) enter your address, and view the planning property report.

Question 2

Where can you view a bushfire prone area map?

Accepted Answer

To view a map of bushfire prone areas, click here.(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bushfire-map)

To view an interactive map of bushfire prone areas, from the Victorian government website, click here.(https://vic.digitaltwin.terria.io/#share=s-urQVIlANWZ0l0eUpuDbRUrz7fSW)

To find out which bushfire area your property is in, click here,(https://www.land.vic.gov.au/property-and-parcel-search) enter your address, and view the planning property report.

Question 3

What is a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)?

Accepted Answer

Rural & urban fringe areas of Victoria that are in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA), are subject to or likely to be subject to bushfires.

Any new house, alterations or additions in a BPA will most likely require a 'Bushfire Attack Level' assessment, known as a 'BAL Report'.

For more information see 'What is a BAL Report?' and 'What report do you need?' below.

Question 4

What is a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)?

Accepted Answer

The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) identifies properties in Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA) that have very high or extreme bushfire risk.

Developments within the BMO, require mandatory bushfire protection measures, including:
 - Defendable space (ongoing vegetation management around the development)
 - Bushfire construction (BAL construction)
 - Water supply (for firefighting use)
 - Access (vehicle access to water supply)

In some cases, where minor building works do not trigger the BMO, a BAL Report may only be required.

For more information see 'What is a BMO Report?' and 'What report do you need?' below.

Question 5

What is a Schedule to the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO#)?

Accepted Answer

Areas within a 'Schedule to the BMO' have predetermined bushfire protection measures in order to fast track the planning process.

Any new house, major alteration or addition in a 'Schedule to the BMO' will most likely only require a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP).

For more information see 'What is a BMP?' and 'What report do you need?' below.

Question 6

Where can you find out more info about all things bushfire safety?

Accepted Answer

Check out our 'Resources' page, we have listed many of the helpful and informative websites where you can find just about anything to do with living and building in bushfire prone areas and bushfire safety.

Question 7

Bushfire Planning Acronyms:

Accepted Answer

Bushfire areas...
 - Bushfire Prone Area (BPA)
 - Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

Reports...
 - Bushfire Attack Level Assessment (BAL Report)(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bal-reports)
 - Bushfire Management Plan (BMP)(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bushfire-management-plans)
 - Bushfire Management Statement (BMS)(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bms)
 - Bushfire Management Overlay Report (BMO Report)(https://bushfiredesignconsultants.com.au/bmo-reports)

Government...
 - Australian Standards (AS)
 - Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)
 - Country Fire Authority (CFA)
 - Emergency Management Victoria (EMV)
 - Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic)
 - Parks Victoria (PV)
 - Department of Transport & Planning (DTP) formally DELWP
 - Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
 - Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

Organisations...
 - Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia)
 - Bushfire Planning and Design accreditation (BPAD)
 - Bushfire Resilience Inc (BRI)

FAQs

FIND OUT MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Victorian bushfire areas

Bushfire report types

Which report do you need

Some exemptions

Bushfire emergency plans