Planning for Bush Fire Protection
Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 published by the Rural Fire Service provides councils and developers with detailed information on bush fire protection from plan-making to development design, development control, construction certificates, and property maintenance. All development on bush fire prone land must satisfy the aim and objectives of Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006, which is available on the Rural Fire Service website.
The aims of these guidelines are to:
- update the 2001 guidelines in relation to legislation, performance-based development controls and land-use planning
- improve the scope of the document, particularly in relation to 'infill development' and tourist accommodation
- refine construction requirements and elaborate on the methods of determining bush fire attack under Australian Standard AS3959-1999
- provide greater guidance on requirements for special fire protection purposes.
The Minister for Planning has issued a direction to all local councils in NSW to consult the Rural Fire Service when preparing draft local environmental plans for land identified as being bush fire prone, and to comply with specific provisions in Planning for Bush fire Protection.
Inquiries: For technical inquiries regarding mapping or specific provisions in Planning for Bush fire Protection 2006, please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service on 02 8741 5555.
Environmental assessment
Guidelines on environmental assessment and major industries are also available under Environmental assessment policy.
Amendments to Section 79BA of the EP&A Act
Amendments to Section 79BA of the EP&A Act have been introduced to allow councils to undertake the majority of the assessment of development applications on bush fire prone land.
These amendments were passed in June 2008 by parliament. The Department is now commencing the amendment to s.79BA the EP&A Act, along with a related amendment to s.733 of the Local Government Act 1993 which strengthens the protection for local councils, from legal liability, where they have given advice or made a decision in good faith relating to bush fire prone land.
Further information regarding these amendments, and what they mean for councils in assessing development applications on bush fire prone land, is included in the following fact sheet.
Standards for Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Works in SEPP 14 - Coastal Wetlands
The overall purpose of the Standards for Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Works in SEPP 14 - Coastal Wetlands is to ensure that any necessary bush fire hazard reduction works in SEPP 14 coastal wetlands will have minimal environmental impact.
The standards aim to protect life and property as well as maintaining wetland values.The standards only apply where a notice has been issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service or where the Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service has otherwise authorised the bush fire hazard reduction works. These standards have been developed by the Rural Fires Service, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and the Department of Planning, in consultation with the Fisheries Division of the Department of Industry and Investment and the Land and Property Management Authority.
It has become apparent that a number of existing specified buildings in NSW are exposed to a potential fire hazard where the existing building is less than 20m from the boundary of the SEPP 14 - Coastal wetland. In these cases, the need to provide an asset protection zone may become urgent. The 2010 Infrastructure SEPP amendments clause 48B(2) will permit limited hazard reduction activities without development consent to reduce bush fire hazards that may occur around existing specified buildings to protect life and property. The hazard reduction activities must be undertaken in accordance with the standards which detail procedures to be followed when undertaking the works to ensure wetland values are maintained.