Find information on the planning and building requirements when developing in bushfire prone areas.
Map of Bushfire Prone Areas
The Map of Bushfire Prone Areas identifies land in Western Australia that has the potential to be impacted by bushfires.
To determine if your property falls within one of these areas, please view the Map of Bushfire Prone Areas.
Overview of requirements
If you propose to build or develop in an area designated as a bushfire prone area, you may have additional bushfire planning and building requirements. This includes undertaking a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment. This assessment evaluates the bushfire risk to your property and dictates the necessary construction measures to mitigate this risk. It is conducted by a qualified BAL Assessor.
Bushfire Attack Level assessment
- 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.
- Grouped or multiple dwellings: For grouped or multiple dwelling projects, a BAL assessment is required as part of your Development (Planning) Approval application.
- Subdivision: A BAL assessment may be required as part of the subdivision application if the property is located in a Bushfire Prone Area.
- 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.
More information and contact
For detailed guidance on building or developing in a bushfire prone area, refer to the following resources:
You can also contact the City’s Customer Care team on 9400 4000 or via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au