Bushfire Planning Framework Review 2019

Why is there a bushfire Framework Review 2019 - 2022?

In 2015, a bushfire reform package was launched in response to planning and building recommendations by Mick Keelty AO in his review into the 2011 Perth Hills bushfire.

In response to concerns raised by the community, local governments and other stakeholders about the 2015 bushfire reforms, the Minister for Planning in cooperation with the Minister for Emergency Services requested that Dr Tony Buti MLA undertake a review of the effectiveness of the Bushfire Policy Framework. 

To address the issues identified in Dr Buti’s report – Bushfire Planning and Policy Review: A Review into the Western Australian Framework for Planning and Development in Bushfire Prone Areas report – the Government will undertake a three-stage action plan.

What changes are part of Bushfire Framework Review 2019 - 2022?

There will be:

• a staged review of the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas
• development of a new mapping methodology
• an amendment to the policy and regulatory mechanisms, including State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas and Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.

The revised map will incorporate methodology that recognises the lower risk of bushfire in significantly built-up urban areas, and will introduce a more nuanced and holistic approach to the designation of bushfire prone areas and the extent of the potential impact on communities.

The changes will be made in three stages, with the new map anticipated for release in 2023.

Stage 1

1a – Revise the map to remove small parcels of isolated vegetation less than four hectares within the Perth Central planning sub-region.

Completed: The revised Stage 1a map came into effect on Wednesday 31 July 2019.

1b – Revise the Mapping Standard for Bush Fire Prone Areas to include additional criteria that reflect the lower risk of bushfire in the context of significantly built-up urban areas, such as whether the vegetation parcel is managed.

Completed: The revised stage 1b map came into effect on Saturday 28 September 2019, replacing the Stage 1a map.  

Stage 2

Revise the map for the rest of the State in collaboration with the CSIRO.

Underway: The new Map is anticipated for release in 2023. 

Stage 3

Amend as required, the policy and regulatory mechanisms that respond to the Stage 2 map, including State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas. This is expected to run concurrently with Stage 2, with the draft SPP 3.7 and Guidelines advertised for public consultation in 2023.

What does the Bushfire Framework Review 2019 - 2022 mean for me?

If you are an applicant or decision-maker within the Perth Central planning sub-region, you may be affected by the revised Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas as part of Stage 1b, which came into effect on Saturday 28 September 2019.

You should check whether areas designated as bushfire prone in your local government area are still designated as bushfire prone or have been removed. 

The 19 local governments within the Perth Central planning sub-region are:

• Town of Bassendean
• City of Bayswater
• City of Belmont
• Town of Cambridge
• City of Canning
• Town of Claremont
• Town of Cottesloe
• Town of East Fremantle
• City of Fremantle
• City of Melville
• Town of Mosman Park
• City of Nedlands
• Town of Peppermint Grove
• City of Perth
• City of South Perth
• City of Stirling
• City of Subiaco
• Town of Victoria Park
• City of Vincent

Areas no longer designated as bushfire prone will not be captured by State Planning Policy 3.7 or part 10A of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.

For owners/applicants whose property is identified as bushfire prone in the Stage 1b map, the requirements under State Planning Policy 3.7 and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas still apply. 

If you are an applicant or decision-maker not within the Perth Central sub-region, you will not be affected by Stage 1 changes but may be affected by the revised Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas as part of Stage 2. The new Stage 2 map is anticipated to be released in 2023.

When a planning application is lodged, it will be assessed against the existing map. Requirements under SPP 3.7 and the Guidelines still apply for planning applications in a designated bushfire prone area not within the Perth Central sub-region. Consideration can be given to deferring lodgement until release of the Stage 2 map.  

How will I know when new changes come into effect?

Subscribe to the Bushfire Reform subscriber list for up-to-date changes to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas or the Bushfire Policy Framework.

Which bushfire policy framework do I use now?

Planning applications in designated bushfire prone areas should be assessed under the existing Bushfire Policy Framework, which includes State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (December 2015), the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (as amended) and the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 until a revised policy, as part of Stage 3 of the Bushfire Framework Review 2019, is gazetted.

What is the update on the draft Position Statement: Tourism land uses in bushfire prone areas?

The Position Statement: Tourism land uses in bushfire prone areas has been incorporated into version 1.4 of the Guidelines, as Element 5: Vulnerable tourism land uses.