How the Local Planning Schemes Amendment Regulations 2015 affect planning for bushfire prone areas.
The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Amendment Regulations 2015 were gazetted on 7 December 2015.
The LPS Amendment Regulations 2015:
The LPS Amendment Regulations 2015 introduce deemed provisions into every local planning scheme across the State under section 257B of the Planning and Development Act (PD Act) 2005.
The deemed provisions outline the circumstances in which a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment is required. This includes a single house or ancillary dwelling (e.g. granny flat) on a lot or lots 1,100m2 or more and for all other habitable or specified buildings in a designated ‘bush fire prone area’:
The LPS Amendment Regulations 2015 complement State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas and the accompanying Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas.
These planning instruments create a revised planning framework for bushfire risk management with the overall objective of preserving life and reducing the impact of bushfire damage on property and infrastructure while ensuring that conservation values are taken into account.
An explanatory Planning Bulletin has been prepared to provide guidance on interpretation and to ensure clarity in their implementation.