Bushfire planning and building resource
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- Some areas prone to landslip or erosion are identified in planning schemes by the Erosion Management Overlay. You can check if an Erosion Management Overlay applies to your land by obtaining a Planning Property Report. Not all areas that are prone to landslip or erosion are covered by the Erosion Management Overlay. For more information about the risk in your area contact your local council.
- While vegetation is now able to be removed around houses for bushfire protection without council approval, you should consider landslip and erosion risk before doing so. Vegetation management is only one part of preparing your property for bushfire and there are other important steps you can take.
- More information about understanding your bushfire risk and about preparing your property for bushfire is available from the CFA website or by contacting the Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 240 667.
- Information about preparing for bushfire in areas prone to landslip is provided in this information sheet:
- CFA
- Department of Sustainability and Environment
- Building Commission
- Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority
- Bushfire media releases
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Vegetation removal for bushfire protection
- Interim measures for bushfire protection
- Managing landslip and erosion risk
Interim measures for bushfire protection
After the experiences of the devastating bushfires in February 2009, the Victorian Government has made it simpler for landowners in bushfire prone areas to reduce the bushfire risk around their homes as part of their wider preparations for the 2009/10 bushfire season.
The Government has introduced an interim planning provision, Clause 52.43 -Interim measures for bushfire protection (PDF - 27 KB), to enable the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation to reduce fuel load around buildings used for accommodation and on roadsides, to assist with minimising risk to life and property from bushfire. The interim planning provision enables the removal of some vegetation for bushfire protection without a planning permit.
The interim planning provision was introduced into planning schemes by Amendment VC61. More information about the interim planning provision is available from the DSE website and the media release and
Advisory note 21: Interim measures for bushfire protection - Amendment VC61, September 2009 (PDF - 189 KB)
Advisory Note 21: Interim measures for bushfire protection, September 2009 (DOC - 114 KB)Before you remove vegetation for bushfire protection you should read the information about understanding bushfire risk provided in this information sheet.
Vegetation removal for bushfire protection - information for landowners and residents (PDF - 196 KB) Vegetation removal for bushfire protection - accessible Word version ( - 74 KB)Information about other planning permit exemptions for removing vegetation in preparation for bushfire is provided in the DSE fact sheet Clearing of native vegetation to prepare for bushfires (PDF - 598 KB) and in these DPCD practice notes and advisory notes.
More information about understanding your bushfire risk and about preparing your property for bushfire is available from the CFA website or by contacting the Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 240 667.
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Managing landslip and erosion risk
Vegetation plays an important role in reducing erosion and stabilising soil to minimise the risk of landslip.
Erosion occurs when soil is lost through rain, wind or the repeated movement of people, animals or vehicles. In dry periods erosion can cause dust problems. During and after significant rainfall events, erosion can lead to blocked drains, damaged pumps and damaged stream systems by clouding the water and smothering habitat. Erosion results in the loss of valuable topsoil, reduces soil fertility and makes it difficult for grass or other vegetation to regrow.
A landslip can occur when the ground is not strong enough to support its own weight, causing a slope to collapse. Land slippage can result in significant damage to buildings and is a risk to life, both on and below the landslip area. The removal of vegetation, particularly deep-rooted, long lasting trees, and plants that have a large root system, can increase landslip risk.
More information about erosion and landslip is available on the Department of Primary Industries website.
How can I identify landslip and erosion risk?
How should I respond to landslip and erosion risk?
Preparing for bushfire in areas prone to landslip (PDF - 200 KB) Preparing for bushfire in areas prone to landslip - accessible Word version (DOC - 63 KB)Page top
Rebuilding dwellings damaged or destroyed by bushfire
The Government has streamlined the planning process for rebuilding dwellings, dependent person's units and buildings used for agriculture that were damaged by the 2009 bushfire, through the introduction of Clause 52.39 - 2009 Bushfires - Replacement buildings (PDF - 31 KB) to all planning schemes. Clause 52.39 replaces the normal planning process with a simpler plan endorsement process.
Amendment VC57 introduced Clause 52.39 on 14 May 2007.
Information about Clause 52.39 is available from this advisory note:
Bushfire replacement buildings - Amendment VC57 (PDF - 172 KB)Information about rebuilding in areas affected by bushfire is available from the Building Commission website or phoning the Bushfire Building Advice line on 1300 360 320.
New standard for the construction of houses in response to bushfire risk
Following the 2009 bushfires the Victorian Government brought forward the introduction of the new Australian Standard AS3959-2009 – Design and construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. This new standard will improve the defensibility and resilience of homes at risk of bushfire.
The new building standard applies to all new homes to be built in the State of Victoria; from homes on the fringes of the metropolitan area to those adjacent to our state forests; to communities devastated by the Black Saturday fires.
New buildings across Victoria must now be assessed for bushfire attack level (BAL) rating. The BAL is determined by a number of factors including aspect, slope and the proximity and type of vegetation at the site.
Information about the Australian Standard is available from the Building Commission website or by phoning the Bushfire Building Advice line on 1300 360 320, which operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
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Bushfire recovery
An immediate step in the wake of the 2009 fires was to ensure there were no impediments in the planning and building systems to the process of bushfire recovery and to provide for temporary accommodation on sites affected by the bushfires.
Clause 52.38 - 2009 Bushfire recovery (PDF - 27 KB), was introduced to all planning schemes through Amendment VC53 on 23 February 2009. It removes the need to obtain a planning permit in certain circumstances to assist bushfire recovery operations including site clean-up and providing temporary accommodation.
Information about post-bushfire hazards, safety considerations and temporary homes is available from the Building Commission website or phoning the Bushfire Building Advice line on 1300 360 320, which operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
For Information about the bushfire reconstruction and recovery visit the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) website or contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 240 667.
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Bushfire bunkers and refuges
At present, fire 'bunkers', 'refuges' or 'shelters' are NOT covered by any Australian Standard nor recognised by the Building Code of Australia. There is an Australian Standard for construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas that is adopted in the Building Code of Australia; however this only applies to new residential buildings built throughout Victoria.
Private bushfire shelters (bushfire bunkers) are now subject to new interim regulations which means that it is necessary to obtain a building permit prior to construction. If you are considering purchasing or installing a private bushfire shelter please visit the Building Commission website to find out about the new regulations, accreditation process and permit requirements or phone the Bushfire Building Advice line on 1300 360 320, which operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission is investigating the causes and responses to the bushfires which swept through parts of Victoria in 2009. The Commission has delivered an Interim Report and a Final Report is due in July 2010.
Information is available from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission website or by contacting the Royal Commission on 1800 243 650 between 9am and 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays (except Victorian public holidays).
More information