MOWE-IT Regulatory Responses to Bushfire in the Planning and Building System in Victoria, Australia Professor Prem Chhetri RMIT University.

MOWE-IT

Regulatory Responses to Bushfirein the Planning and Building System in Victoria, Australia

Professor Prem ChhetriRMIT University

Integrated Planning and Building Framework

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• 16 recommendations for planning and building brought together into an integrated package of planning and building rules

• Focused on prioritising human life and strengthening community resilience to bushfire

• Strengthens the consideration of bushfire at different stages of the planning process and better integrates the planning and building systems.

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Integrated Planning and Building Framework Regulatory responses

Areas where the extent, configuration and/or management of vegetation means that there

is low potential for bushfire spread.

Three levels of site-based response

BUSHFIRE HAZARD LEVEL LOW AREAS

BUSHFIRE HAZARD LEVEL 1 AREAS

Areas of high to extreme fuel loads where there is potential for high bushfire behaviour

such as a crown fire and ember attack

BUSHFIRE HAZARD LEVEL 2 AREAS

Areas of extreme fuel loads where there is potential for extreme bushfire behaviour such as a crowning fire and extreme ember attack

Planning response : Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

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Building response : Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) and the

Building Regulations

Building response : Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) and the

Building Regulations

No planning or building response

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Integrated Planning and Building Framework Regulatory responses

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Integrated Planning and Building Framework Regulatory responses

Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA)

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Integrated Planning and Building Framework Regulatory responses

Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA) and

Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

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Integrated Planning and Building Framework Complete picture

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Structure of Objectives

• Subdivision – BF1 (General requirements)

– BF2 (Residential lots)

• All development– BF3 (Location)

– BF4 (Siting and layout)

– BF5 (Bushfire protection measures)

• Buildings and works – BF6 (Defendable space for dwellings)

– BF7 (Defendable space for industry, office and retail)

– BF8 (Defendable space for other occupied buildings)

– BF9 (Defendable space location)

– BF10 (Water supply and access)

Clause 52.47 Bushfire Protection: Planning Requirements

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• 10/30 rule

• Made permanent, based on expert fire science and advice from DSE

• Clear all veg within 10 metres and all veg except for trees within 30 metres

• Existing houses – need to check the dates

• Previously exempt metropolitan councils can opt-in through a planning scheme amendment

• 10/50 rule

• New, based on expert fire science and advice from DSE

• Clear all veg within 10 metres and all veg except for trees within 50 metres

• Existing houses – need to check the dates

• Applies to all areas within the BMO

• Replaces another exemption which provided for less extensive clearing but over a greater distance

10/30 and 10/50 Rules

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Strategic Planning for Bushfire Protection

State Planning Policy for Bushfire

• Use planning schemes to identify where the bushfire hazard requires specific consideration

• Asses the risk at a regional, municipal and local scale.

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Strategic Planning for Bushfire Protection

State Planning Policy for Bushfire

Bushfire in Victoria

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