Planning and building approval is required for new dwellings and structures in bushfire-affected areas.
This checklist covers most planning and building applications. But contact your local council, private building certifier, or the Planning and Building Assessment Recovery Unit regarding your property and development, especially for a new house.
Replacing your building
If you plan to rebuild the same building in the same location and you are not in a Hazards (bushfire - medium risk) overlay or Hazards (bushfire - high risk) overlay, you will need to confirm:
- the location of buildings before the bushfire - shown using an aerial photograph
- show that the new building is a similar size and appearance - previous drawings, plans, and photographs
- the water supply on your property for firefighting purposes.
Planning assessment criteria
3 copies of these plans:
A site plan with a minimum scale of 1:500 and a north point. The plan must include the location of the development and show:
- all property or site boundaries, including dimensions
- location, size, and nature of existing and proposed structures, including fences and retaining walls, other land uses, and easements
- location of existing trees and vegetation to be retained or removed
- key topographical features such as:
- creek line
- drainage line
- the slope of the land
- the direction of flow of stormwater
- flood plains
- the location of any:
- access points
- adjoining roads
- footpaths
- kerbs and side entry pits
- on-site parking
- access arrangements for emergency vehicles
- line of sight for access to public roads
- existing dams or bores
- location and details of effluent disposal such as a septic tank, if not connected to services
- location of any excavation, earthworks, and embankments for the proposed development.
- scaled external elevations
- internal floor plans.
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) if you plan to build a new house in a Hazards (Bushfire - high risk). The Planning and Building Assessment Recovery Unit will arrange the BAL assessment at no cost.
- trees that might affect the building or structure, on the site and adjacent to it, are identified
- services and infrastructure such as sewer lines near footings or stormwater disposal
- significant excavation angle of batter-cut or fill
- position, height, and engineering details of any retaining walls
- roof, wall, and floor layout, including dimensions and calculations
- wall and roof bracing details
- engineer’s footing construction report
- construction materials both internal and external, and design including heights and ceiling levels
- specifications and schedules of work
- location of smoke detectors
- wet area details
- sanitary facilities.
Planning assessment other criteria
The building must apply up-to-date bushfire construction.
Country Fire Service (CFS) referrals and further assessment could be needed for dwellings that are identified as Hazards (bushfire - high risk).
