Bushfire planning

Bushfire planning assessment is covered by Clause 44.06 and Clause 52.47 of the Towong Planning Scheme.

You can find out which overlays and zones affect your property by using the Victorian Government Land and Survey Spatial Information (LASSI).

Once you've identified your property, click on it and select the 'Build Map' Tab. When you scroll to the bottom you'll find an option to select the overlays and zones covering the property.

Be sure to refresh the map to load your selections.

Planning within the Bushfire Management Overlay

If your property is in an area covered by the Bushfire Management Overlay, you'll need a planning permit to construct a building or construct and carry out works associated with:

• accommodation (including a dependent person’s unit)
• child care centre
• education centre
• hospital
• industry
• leisure and recreation
• office
• place of assembly
• retail premises
• timber production.

This does not apply to any of the following:

• if a schedule to this overlay specifically states that a permit is not required
• a building or works consistent with an agreement under Section 173 of the Act prepared in accordance with a condition of permit issued under the requirements of Clause 44.06-3
• a building or works with a floor area of less than 100 square metres not used for accommodation and ancillary to a dwelling.
• a building or works associated with timber production provided the buildings or works are not within 150 metres of accommodation or land zoned for residential or rural residential purposes.
• an alteration or extension to an existing building used for a dwelling or a small second dwelling that is less than 50 per cent of the gross floor area of the existing building.
• an alteration or extension to an existing building (excluding a dwelling and a small second dwelling) that is less than 10 percent of the gross floor area of the existing building.
• an alteration or extension to an existing building (excluding a dwelling and a small second dwelling) that is less than 10 per cent of the gross floor area of the existing building.

Supporting documents

A planning permit application for development of land within the Bushfire Management Overlay must be accompanied by the following documents:

• A recently obtained (within the last 3 months) copy of the certificate of title together with the title plan and a copy of any restrictions, covenants or Section 173 Agreements that may be held on title. This can be obtained from Landata
• A professionally draw site plan showing the location of all buildings and proposed buildings together with set back distances from at least 2 boundaries
• Professionally draw building design/schematics
• bushfire hazard site assessment
• bushfire hazard landscape assessment
• bushfire management statement

Please note the assessment of the bushfire threat can be complex and we recommend you engage the services of a bushfire consultant.