Please note: the policy framework surrounding bushfire is subject to change. It is important that you regularly review the following advice, along with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website, to ensure you are using the most up-to-date information.
Bushfire poses a serious risk in Western Australia and this is being exacerbated by the impact of climate change. Hotter, drier conditions are leading to longer bushfire seasons and more intense and frequent fires. Changing rainfall patterns are resulting in more dry fuel in the landscape. Dry lightning storms, which can ignite bushfires, are happening more often. The combination of such changes is increasing the risk of dangerous fires and making them harder to extinguish.
Careful planning in bushfire prone areas can avoid new development in locations with unacceptable current and future risk. It can also identify solutions to reduce bushfire risk and improve community safety based on the site and circumstances.
Is my land bushfire prone?
The State Government has prepared a state-wide map to show Bush Fire Prone Areas. This land is designated by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.
Additional planning and building requirements may apply to building or development proposals within a bushfire prone area. A further assessment of bushfire risk may also be required to ensure future developments in bushfire prone areas are safer.
The state Bush Fire Prone Area Map can be found on the DFES website.
What does it mean if my land is bushfire prone?
Where a building or planning proposal is on land designated as bushfire prone on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, and:
- results in the intensification of development (or land use); or
- results in an increase of visitors, residents or employees; or
- adversely impacts or increases the bushfire risk to the subject or surrounding site(s),
it may trigger State Planning Policy 3.7 Bushfire (SPP 3.7) and associated Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (Guidelines) for its assessment and compliance.
It is strongly recommended that you view the information on the Department of Planning's website below which includes a series of fact sheets that will provide more detailed information and how they may affect any development you may be considering.
Do I need BAL Report or a BMP?
A BAL is a Bushfire Attack Level Report and a BMP is a Bushfire Management Plan. They are different to each other, and it depends on the scale and type of project or development to determine which report you need.
Generally, if the land is located in a bushfire prone area on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, a BAL report will likely be required if you are building a new home, renovating, adding more rooms or new structures within 6 meters of a dwelling.
A BMP will likely be triggered if the property is being subdivided, or has no mains water supply, or requires land and/or vegetation clearing to reduce the bushfire risk or the land will be used for a vulnerable land use type. Larger land parcels with larger development footprints may also require a BMP.
The State Planning Policy 3.7 Bushfire website has further information and online manuals to assist in determining what bushfire requirements apply to your site and development. Each site is different and no one report is the same.
All BALs and BMPs are to be prepared by a suitable qualified Bushfire Assessor at the applicants’ cost.
Further Information
For further information and useful contacts in relation to each element of the reform work being undertaken, please see the detail on the State Government website:
