Bushfire Management Plan

BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Usually, the first step in developing a location with the new bushfire planning reforms is to get a BAL Assessment. But sometimes, further risk mitigation documents will be requested and required.

What is a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP)?

A Bushfire Management Plan is a detailed document that outlines strategies to reduce the risk of bushfires and their impact on a proposed development. BMPs are typically required for:

• Complex Developments — Larger-scale developments involving multiple lots, new roads and potential changes to the natural environment.
• High-Risk Areas — Developments located in areas with a significant bushfire risk.
• Vulnerable Land Uses — Developments for sensitive purposes (e.g., schools, hospitals) where occupants may be less familiar with bushfire safety.
• Rezoning or Modification Requests — When proposals seek changes to land-use zoning or existing building envelopes in bushfire-prone areas.
• Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not you need a Bushfire Management Plan in WA lies in the local government, as they can request it to be provided with development approval, WA Fire and Safety can also provide advice on if this is needed.

Types of Bushfire Management Plans in WA

Various types of BMPs are used to manage the risk of bushfires in Western Australia.

1. Simple BMP

BMPs are in place to provide bushfire risk mitigation measures to the landowner/developer and make them accountable for the continual maintenance. This is in a simple document that covers the required information without complexity. It includes but is not limited to:

• Location of the structure
• Design of the site to include an Asset Protections Zone with the appropriate clearance of high-threat vegetation to maintain a suitable BAL level of BAL-29 or below
• Access and egress
• Driveways and clearances for fire vehicles
• Emergency water supplies and many other factors

It's important to note that not all local government councils accept Bushfire Management Statements. In fact, the Shire of Mundaring uses these, and some of the Perth local hills and surrounding areas have different requirements for their APZs to comply with. All this information will be inside the (LGA) Local Government Area fuel and firebreak notices.

The BMP Simple should be required where the LGA does not accept BMSs for the types of smaller developments that this relates to.

2. Bushfire Management Statement (BMS)

The two kinds of BMPs mentioned above are two distinct documents with similar content. A BMP/S may be required for a single lot development for a single house where the risk of bushfire has triggered the need for it. It could also be necessary for a single lot with a commercial building being proposed.

A BMP/S document includes but is not limited to:

• Proposed single Lot, class 1a dwellings where risk is higher than moderate
• Proposed single Lot, single structure commercial developments
• Home businesses that customers will frequently visit can include BNBs, etc.
• Modifications to existing Class 1A dwellings

A standard BMP may be required for planning approval to develop a multi-lot site with new roads, environmental issues, clearance or modification of vegetation, revegetation, landscaping, bushfire hazards, management strategies and responsibilities. The content is the same for BMP/S, except it is much more detailed and in-depth. These documents can be forever changing as they develop over time.

3. BMP Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) Assessments (Lot Layout is Unknown)

A BMP Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) Assessment for a property where the lot layout is not yet known is an essential pre-development tool used in bushfire-prone areas.

We provide a BMP Bushfire Hazard Level Assessment of the area up to 150m from the boundary, considering the vegetation inside and outside the lot. This "pre-development tool" uses a broad brush to help determine the best possible solution considering the bushfire threat pre- and post-development.

From there, we can be confident of adding a lot layout, knowing we've considered all possible issues. Some issues that can arise are Bush forever sites, Local protected flora and fauna, hydrant access and pressures, public road compliance, emergency access ways and many more.

4. BMP BAL Contour Map (Lot Layout is Known)

The fourth type of BMP is the BAL Contour Map, which requires the lot layout to be known. This document will give indicative BAL ratings for each proposed lot after the work, clearing and landscaping have been completed.

BMP BAL Contours can also be used for smaller developments to provide information quickly to potential buyers in a document they can use for development approval at a later stage. BMP BAL Contours are mainly utilised for subdivisions.