Developing in bushfire prone areas

1. Single dwelling (house) or ancillary dwelling: If you're building a house or ancillary dwelling on a property with an area at or above 1100m2, the BAL assessment should accompany your Development (Planning) Application. This ensures your design incorporates necessary bushfire safety measures.
2. Grouped or multiple dwellings: For grouped or multiple dwelling projects, a BAL assessment is required as part of your Development (Planning) Approval application.
3. Subdivision: A BAL assessment may be required as part of the subdivision application if the property is located in a Bushfire Prone Area.
4. Where Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) requires one: If you do not meet the exemption criteria in the CDC, a BAL assessment will need to accompany your building permit application.

Important note: In extreme bushfire risk zones (BAL-40 or BAL-FZ), you will require Development (Planning) Approval if the lot is greater than 1,100m². This is irrespective of whether all other planning requirements have been met.

The BAL assessment must be undertaken by an accredited professional. A directory of Level 1 BAL Assessors and Bushfire Planning Practitioners is available through the Fire Protection Association Australia’s website.

The BAL assessment may indicate the need for additional construction measures to enhance bushfire protection. Note that these requirements apply only to new constructions and are not imposed on existing structures.