Key point
- Land use planning alongside external mitigation measures such as asset protection zones can increase resilience to bushfires.
In the summer of 2019–20, the suburb of Mogo in the Eurobodalla local government area was severely impacted by intense bushfires, resulting in the loss of 11 commercial properties.
Mogo has a natural bushland setting, which was a contributing factor to the bushfire experience. The surrounding bushland contributes to the town’s strong rural and coastal heritage and Aboriginal culture. Eurobodalla Shire Council commissioned Ethos Urban to study the bushfire event to support bushfire recovery and rebuilding.
The Rebuilding Mogo Study details the lots affected by the bushfires and makes recommendations to increase the asset protection zones – front and rear setbacks – when rebuilding. The study proposed the council purchase the portion of the lots that required the additional asset protection zones or implement planning restrictions on the sites. Both scenarios effectively mean a significant loss of developable area and land value for the affected properties. But this is potentially offset by the enhanced protection from bushfire.
The Mogo proposed increase in asset protection zones map (PDF, 283 KB) shows proposed asset protection zone setbacks. To account for the developable space taken by these zones, the plan identified a ‘buildable zone’ and focused on a stronger streetscape to allow properties to rebuild closer to the street. Delivering this buildable zone incorporated aspirations for enhanced vegetation management to deliver a safer and sustainable setting.
The study suggests a range of built-form typologies and outcomes, promoting diverse building types, siting and parking to contribute to the character of Mogo, while not being overly prescriptive. A demonstration plan was delivered with the study for community use and shows how the results from the study can be adopted in flexible ways.
This case study shows how land use planning alongside external mitigation measures such as asset protection zones can be used to increase resilience to bushfires.