Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) Mapping Project MAV Rural Land Use Planning Forum, 15 March 2013 Simon Cover, Manager Policy

Bushfire Prone Areas – Building System BACKGROUND The BPA Map came in to effect on 8 September 2011 following Minister for Planning’s determination of Victoria’s Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA). The BPA fulfils two key recommendations (37 and 49.3) made by the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission. The BPA is the trigger for the building response to bushfire hazard and a requirement that all new homes (including alterations/additions) in bushfire prone areas are built to a minimum construction standard AS 3959 (Bushfire Attack Level 12.5). Government commitment to ensure that all new homes in the BPA are built to a minimum standard to help withstand ember attack.

Areas highlighted in yellow (Growth Areas and Hobsons Bay) were removed from the BPA in October 2012 Approximately urban lots removed

Pakenham Grassfire Jan 2013, Photos courtesy CFA

Bushfire Prone Areas BPA CRITERIA Endorsed criteria used for BPA refinements following input from CFA, MFB, MAV, DSE, and Building Commission. Project team is meeting with CFA/MFB offices, as well as with local councils and advice from a Rapid Verification Taskforce (RVT). The BPA Map criteria captures: – BHL2 (extreme) and BHL1 (moderate) hazards. – The proposed BMO is included then additional 150m buffer. –2ha or more grassland hazard. –connectivity to other hazard areas. –excludes locations with BHL Low rating. Over 60 revised maps (based on LGAs) are being updated to June 2013 with maps of regional cities and growth areas prioritised.

Map Revision Process

Schedule to June 2013 Schedule for completing the revision of bushfire prone area mapping (followed by gazettal): –March 2013: Metropolitan fringe councils including: Yarra Ranges, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Nillumbik, Banyule, Manningham, Maroondah, Knox, Monash, Whitehorse, City of Ballarat, Mildura Rural City, East Gippsland, Wellington, City of Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe. –April 2013: Key regional locations including areas in Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Macedon Ranges, Mitchell, Moorabool, Murrindindi, Surf Coast, Greater Bendigo, Latrobe, Greater Shepparton and Wodonga. –June 2013: Balance of Victoria including Horsham, Wangaratta, Golden Plains, Murrindindi, South Gippsland and Warrnambool.

More Information on the DPCD web site: g/plansandpolicies/bushfire- planning-and-building/building-for- bushfire-protectionhttp:// g/plansandpolicies/bushfire- planning-and-building/building-for- bushfire-protection Questions and Discussion