Contents
- Frequently asked questions
- Useful contacts
- Policy and Guidance
- Regulations
- Position statements
- Planning Bulletin
- Accreditation and training
- Fact sheets and guidelines
- Bushfire management plan templates and forms
- How to stay updated
- Maps of gazetted town sites and surrounding 50 km boundary
- Local governments which are not completely covered by a local planning scheme
Please note: The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is working jointly on changes to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas and the supporting Bushfire Policy Framework. For more information visit Bushfire Framework Review 2019-2022.
State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (SPP 3.7) directs how land use should address bushfire risk management in Western Australia. It applies to all land which has been designated as bushfire prone by the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Commissioner as highlighted on the Map of bushfire prone areas.
SPP 3.7 seeks to guide the implementation of effective risk-based land use planning and development to preserve life and reduce the impact of bushfire on property and infrastructure. It applies to all higher order strategic planning documents, strategic planning proposals, subdivision and development applications located in designated bushfire prone areas (unless exemptions apply). This policy also applies where an area is not yet designated as bushfire prone, but the proposed development is planned in a way that introduces a bushfire hazard (e.g. revegetation).
The accompanying Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (the Guidelines) provide supporting information to assist in the interpretation of the objectives and policy measures outlined in SPP 3.7. They provide advice on how bushfire risk is to be addressed when planning, designing or assessing a planning proposal within a designated bushfire prone area.
Bushfire risk management provisions apply to all local planning schemes through the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Amendment Regulations 2015. The LPS Regulations complement SPP 3.7 and the accompanying Guidelines, and together these documents form the Bushfire Policy Framework.
Frequently asked questions
Show moreBushfire planning reforms
What are the bushfire planning reforms?
Bushfire poses a serious threat to people, property, infrastructure and the environment in Western Australia and reducing our vulnerability to bushfire is a collective, whole-of-community responsibility.
Bushfire land-use planning and development reforms aim to manage and reduce the risk of bushfire across the State.
The bushfire planning reforms require planning and/or building processes for new planning proposals, subdivision applications, and the development of new and other habitable buildings in bushfire prone areas, as shown on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas.
The bushfire planning reforms only apply to new buildings and development.
The bushfire planning reforms include State Planning Policy 3.7 and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas, and bushfire risk management provisions which apply to all local planning schemes through the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Amendment Regulations 2015.
Do the bushfire planning reforms affect me?
If you are proposing to build or develop in an area that has been designated as bushfire prone on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas then you may have additional bushfire planning and building requirements.
For example:
- If you are building a house in a designated bushfire prone area and your property has been designated as bushfire prone by the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas for more than 4 months you will need to undertake a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment before you can commence development;
- If you are proposing to build a house in an area of extreme bushfire risk (i.e BAL-40 or BAL- Flame Zone) and your property has been designated as bushfire prone for more than 4 months you will need to obtain a development approval unless you are building a single house or ancillary dwelling on a lot or lots less than 1,100m2 (in which case you will won’t need a BAL assessment for Planning proposes but may require a BAL assessment for a building permit); or
- If you want to subdivide, you will need to provide a BAL Contour Map that illustrates indicative BAL ratings across the entire site with your subdivision application (no transition period applies).
What types of buildings are affected by the bushfire planning reforms?
If you are proposing to build a residential building, habitable building or another building as specified by a local government in a designated bushfire prone area then you will likely have additional bushfire planning and/or building requirements.
For example:
- If you are constructing a residential building where people live, such as a house or hostel (Class 1, 2, 3 buildings or associated Class 10a buildings) on a site equal to or greater than 1,100m², then the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Amendment Regulations 2015 and planning and building requirements may apply to you; or
- If you are constructing another type of habitable building where people may live, work, study or be entertained, such as an office, warehouse or school (Class 4 – Class 9 buildings), then SPP3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas and the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Amendment Regulations 2015 will apply to your development.
You can find further information about the bushfire planning reforms, by reading the Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas fact sheets.
You can also find information on building in bushfire prone areas on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.
Will the bushfire planning reforms affect the natural environment?
Environmental considerations have been incorporated into the development of the bushfire planning reforms and broad-scale clearing of vegetation is not supported as a means of addressing bushfire risk.
However if you propose to build or develop in a bushfire prone area, you may be required to undertake some vegetation clearing (i.e. fuel loads, fire breaks) on your property to ensure bushfire risk is being appropriately managed. In this situation, the normal application and approval processes for clearing native vegetation will continue to apply.
Bushfire prone areas
What is the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas?
The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas is a State-wide map that identifies the parts of the State that are bushfire prone (i.e. areas at threat of bushfire because of their proximity to bushfire prone vegetation).
The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas has been prepared by the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) in accordance with the Mapping Standard for Bush Fire Prone Areas.
The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas will be updated annually to take into account changes to vegetation (i.e. vegetation that is cleared or introduced).
For further information about the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas contact OBRM.
How do I know if I am in a bushfire prone area?
You can find out if you are in a designated bushfire prone area by looking up your address on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas.
The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas is available on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ (DFES) website. If any part of your property is shaded ‘pink’ on the map you are within a designated bushfire prone area.
If you are proposing to build or develop and your property has been in a designated bushfire prone area for 4 months or more then you will have additional bushfire planning and/or building requirements. You will be able to find your property’s date of designation on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas.
You can find further information about if and how the bushfire planning and building requirements by reading Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas fact sheets.
What if I am in a bushfire prone area, but I don’t think I should be?
If you are concerned that your property has been incorrectly included in the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas you should contact your local government.
The Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) is responsible for the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas. OBRM works closely with all local governments in the preparation and review of the map to ensure it is accurate.
If your property has been incorrectly identified on the map, your local government can work with OBRM to ensure that your land is removed as part of the annual review process.
Further information is available on the DFES website and reading the Mapping Standard for Bush Fire Prone Areas or by contacting OBRM directly.
What if I am in a bushfire prone area, but property and the surrounding area is clear of vegetation?
If you are proposing to build or develop on a property in a designated bushfire prone area, but there is no vegetation in and around the proposed building site, you may be able to undertake a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment (basic) in place of a BAL assessment.
A BAL assessment (basic) is a simplified process for determining the BAL for a proposed building that is not within 100 metres of bushfire prone vegetation. You can use a BAL assessment (basic) if:
- your property and/or surrounding area has been cleared since the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas was published so that it no longer contains bushfire prone vegetation, and is not within 100 metres of bushfire prone vegetation; or
- your property is large enough to locate the proposed building so that it is not within 100 metres of bushfire prone vegetation.
You can find further information in the BAL assessment (basic) fact sheet.
Planning in bushfire prone areas
What is a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment?
A BAL assessment is used for planning and building purposes to determine whether a building or development requires additional bushfire risk management measures to address the threat of bushfire to the development.
There are six Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) categories, as set out in Australian Standard 3959: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS 3959).
If you are proposing to build or develop in a bushfire prone area as designated on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, then you may be required to undertake a BAL assessment before you can commence development.
A BAL assessment is generally carried out by an accredited Level 1 BAL Assessor or Bushfire Planning Practitioner. You can find a list of accredited Level 1 BAL Assessors at the Fire Protection Association (FPA) Australia’s website.
If you are in a remote area (i.e. your property is located more than 50 kilometres from a gazetted townsite) you may be able to carry out the BAL assessment yourself. For further information refer to Building a house in a remote area fact sheet.
What is a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Contour Map?
A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Contour Map is a scale map of a development site, including the proposed lot layout, which shows indicative BAL ratings across the site and within the immediate surrounding area.
A BAL Contour Map is used to identify land suitable for development and areas of unavoidable risk, and ensures that appropriate risk management is incorporated into subdivision design and lot layout. A BAL Contour Map is also used for planning and building purposes to determine whether a building or development requires additional measures to manage the threat of bushfire.
A BAL Contour Map can be prepared by an accredited Level 2 or Level 3 Bushfire Planning Practitioner.
If you are proposing to build or develop in a designated bushfire prone area you may be able to use a BAL Contour Map in place of a BAL assessment. Where a BAL Contour Map and accompanying compliance certificate/report exist for your property, you can obtain a copy from the developer of the subdivision or a previous owner.
You can find further information about a BAL Contour Map in State Planning Policy 3.7 and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.
What is a Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) assessment?
A Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) assessment is a high-level assessment which determines the potential intensity of a bushfire for a particular area and categorises land as having a low, moderate or extreme bushfire hazard level.
A BHL assessment is used for strategic planning and subdivision purposes to identify land suitable for future development and potential land uses.
A BHL assessment can be undertaken by an accredited Level 2 or Level 3 Bushfire Planning Practitioner, and may form part of a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP). The Fire Protection Association can provide guidance on suitably qualified consultants offering services in Western Australia. You can find further information at www.fpaa.com.au.
You can find further information about a BAL Contour Map in State Planning Policy 3.7 and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.
What is a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) and who can prepare one?
A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP), also known as a Fire Management Plan (FMP), is a plan which identifies the extent of the bushfire hazard to the development. A BMP sets out short, medium and long term bushfire risk management strategies for a particular area.
A BMP is used to support planning proposals and development applications in bushfire prone areas. It includes consideration of such things as fire breaks, firefighting water supply, firefighting access, easements and ongoing risk management responsibilities.
A BMP can be undertaken by an accredited Level 2 or Level 3 Bushfire Planning Practitioner. The Fire Protection Association can provide guidance on suitably qualified consultants offering services in Western Australia. You can find further information at www.fpaa.com.au.
You can find further information about a BAL Contour Map in State Planning Policy 3.7 and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.
Building in bushfire prone areas
Will it cost more to build my new house?
If you are proposing to build or develop in a designated bushfire prone area there may be costs associated with additional bushfire planning and building requirements.
Further information on building in bushfire prone areas is available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's website.
Can I include additional bushfire protection measures into my new house?
Yes.
You can find further information about other bushfire protection measures that may be suitable for your home on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au or by emailing environment@dfes.wa.gov.au.
Further information on building in bushfire prone areas is available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's website.
Useful contacts
Show morePlanning Policy Framework and LPS Amendment Regulations
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
Bushfire Policy Team
Gordon Stephenson House, 140 William Street, Perth, Western Australia
Ph: (08) 6551 9000
Email: bushfire@dplh.wa.gov.au
Site specific planning and development enquiries
Please contact your local government.
Accreditation and Training Framework for bushfire consultants
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
Bushfire Policy Team
Gordon Stephenson House
140 William Street
Perth, Western Australia
Ph: (08) 6551 9000
Email: bushfire@dplh.wa.gov.au
Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas
Office of Bushfire Risk Management
Ph: (08) 6551 4060
Email: OBRM@dfes.wa.gov.au
Website
Building Regulations and application of AS 3959 building construction standards
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building and Energy Division)
Level 1 - Mason Bird Building
303 Sevenoaks Street
Cannington, Western Australia 6107
Ph: 1300 48 90 99
Email: BCinfo@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Website
Or please contact your local government.
Policy and Guidance
The Department is currently undertaking a staged review of the guidelines. New versions of the guidelines will be released on a periodic basis. Significant changes have been made in Version 1.4 of the Guidelines. To assist decision-makers and the community with understanding these changes, a training package has been made available for viewing.
The latest version 1.4 was released in December 2021. Any planning applications where SPP 3.7 applies, lodged after 13 March 2022 should be assessed against the updated criteria within version 1.4 of the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas. Applications lodged prior to 13 March 2022 and prepared against version 1.3 of the Guidelines, should be assessed and determined by the decision-maker, post 13 March 2022 using version 1.3 of the Guidelines.
Planning Bulletin 111/2016 – Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas and the Position Statement: Tourism Land Uses in Bushfire Prone Areas have been incorporated into Version 1.4 of the guidelines. As of the 13 March 2022, they have been rescinded and can no longer be used in decision-making for applications lodged after 13 March 2022. They may still be used to determine an application lodged prior to 13 March 2022, if the application was prepared against version 1.3 of the Guidelines.
Following the tabling in Parliament late 2020 of the final report to improve Australia’s national natural disaster arrangements, the recommendations set out in the report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (also known as the Bushfires Royal Commission) are being considered for inclusion in further iterations of SPP 3.7 and the accompanying Guidelines.
Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015
Understanding changes made to Version 1.4 of the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas
Regulations
The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 were amended in December 2020 by the Planning Regulations Amendment Regulations 2020, which introduced various improvements to local planning processes. Read further information on the amendments.
Read further information on how the Local Planning Schemes Regulations and Amendments affect planning for bushfire prone areas on the Bushfire planning and the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 page.
Position statements
Planning Bulletin
Accreditation and training
Fact sheets and guidelines
Bushfire management plan templates and forms
How to stay updated
Bushfire planning publications will be amended as required. Subscribers will be sent emails when updates are made. To receive updates please complete the below subscription form
Maps of gazetted town sites and surrounding 50 km boundary
Allowances have been made for new single houses or ancillary dwellings (e.g. granny flats) proposed in a remote location. In remote areas where a proposed new single house or ancillary dwelling will be located outside a 50 km radius of a gazetted townsite, a property owner may be able to complete their own BAL assessment (see Fact sheet: Building a house in a remote area). If your proposed development is located in the Perth, Peel, Great Southern or South West regions, this ‘special provision’ will not apply.
If your new single house or ancillary dwelling will be located in one of the regions listed below please use the following maps to find your development location using the zoom in function. If your proposed development is located outside a gazetted townsite 50km boundary, you have the opportunity to prepare your own BAL assessment.
Note: Metropolitan Peel, South West and Great Southern regions have no areas falling outside a 50km radius of a gazetted townsite.
Local governments which are not completely covered by a local planning scheme
The new bushfire regulatory planning requirements only apply to development applications in areas which are covered by a local planning scheme. If your development application is located outside of a local planning scheme then there are no additional bushfire regulatory planning requirements.
You should contact your local government to enquire if your development application is covered by a local planning scheme.
Alternatively you can use the maps below to find out if your development application is located within a local planning scheme. If a local government is not listed below then it is completely covered by a local planning scheme. Under this scenario if you are using the interactive tool you should answer YES to the question “Will your proposed new house or ancillary dwelling be located in an area covered by a local planning scheme?” or “Will your proposed development be located in an area covered by a local planning scheme?” (dependant on the type of development you are proposing).
Please note that you will need to zoom for greater detail on the map. Sections that are shaded orange are covered by a local planning scheme.
