High level strategic planning documents such as frameworks, region schemes and sub-regional structure plans should include a high level of consideration towards relevant bushfire hazards when identifying or investigating land for future development.
When considering a strategic planning proposal within a designated bushfire prone area your first step is to contact your local BPAD accredited assessor, inquiring about a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating. From this rating you can now determine the level of risk from a bushfire attack. If you receive a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) of above BAL-LOW, you must provide the following information:
- The results of a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Report, determining the applicable hazard levels across the property. A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Report should be completed by an accredited Bushfire assessor.
- Where the layout of the lot is known, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Contour Map should be provided by an accredited assessor. Determining the indicative acceptable BAL ratings across the site.
- If any bushfire hazards have been identified to have potential issues arising from relevant assessments.
- If any bushfire hazards have been identified, during the relevant assessments, to have the potential to cause issues they must be clearly labelled and documented.
- It must be clear that compliance with the bushfire protection criteria in the Guidelines can be achieved in subsequent planning stages.
If you have received a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating of BAL-40 or BAL-FZ you will not be supported in your development unless the proposal is considered to be a Minor Development or the proposal is considered to be an Unavoidable Development.
