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State Planning Policy 3.7 and Guidelines

Policy and regional information for planning in bushfire prone areas.

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Please note: The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is working jointly on changes to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas and the supporting bushfire policy framework. For more information visit Bushfire Framework Review 2019

State Planning Policy 3.7 Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (SPP 3.7) directs how land use should address bushfire risk management in Western Australia. It applies to all land which has been designated as bushfire prone by the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Commissioner as highlighted on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas.

SPP 3.7 seeks to guide the implementation of effective risk-based land use planning and development to preserve life and reduce the impact of bushfire on property and infrastructure. It applies to all higher order strategic planning documents, strategic planning proposals, subdivision and development applications located in designated bushfire prone areas (unless exemptions apply). This policy also applies where an area is not yet designated as bushfire prone but the proposed development is planned in a way that introduces a bushfire hazard (e.g. revegetation).

The accompanying Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas provide supporting information to assist in the interpretation of the objectives and policy measures outlined in SPP 3.7. They provide advice on how bushfire risk is to be addressed when planning, designing or assessing a planning proposal within a designated bushfire prone area.

The Department and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services are currently undertaking a staged review of the Guidelines. New versions of the Guidelines will be released on a periodic basis.

Version 1.3 was released in December 2017. The changes within this version are effective immediately and all planning proposals and applications where SPP 3.7 applies should be assessed against the updated criteria within reason.

The main changes contained in the updates are outlined in a version control summary table.

Version control summary table
VersionDateDetailsLocation (in Dec 2015 version)

1.0

Dec 2015

As published.

As published.

1.1

Feb 2017

Performance Principle P1 - Deleted ‘minor development’ in areas of BAL-40 or BAL-FZ for referral to DFES.

Appendix 4, Element 1, P1 (page 55).

1.1

Feb 2017

Acceptable Solution A2.1 Asset Protection Zone – Clarification of APZ requirements.

Appendix 4, Element 2, A2.1 (page 56).

1.1

Feb 2017

Acceptable Solution A2.2 Hazard Separation Zone (HSZ) and Explanatory Notes E2.2 removed.

Appendix 4, Element 2, A2.2 and E2.2 (pages 56-61).

1.1

Feb 2017

Element 2 Explanatory Notes updated, including further guidance on APZ requirements.

Appendix 4, Element 2, E2 and E2.1 (pages 57-61).

1.2Aug 2017Clearer definitions provided on what constitutes a vulnerable land use and the information required to be provided in an emergency evacuation plan. Section 5.5 Proposing a vulnerable land use in a bushfire prone area (page 33)
1.2Aug 2017Appendix two – Bushfire Hazard Level assessment amended to include an updated assessment methodology.Appendix two – Bushfire Hazard Level assessment (pages 50 – 52)
1.2Aug 2017Appendix three – BAL Contour Map amended to include an updated assessment methodology.Appendix three – BAL Contour Map (pages 53 – 54)
1.3Dec 2017Revised Appendix three – BAL Contour Map to clarify assessment methodology.Appendix three – BAL Contour Map (pages 53 – 54)
1.3Dec 2017Revised subsection 4.5.2 How to Apply the Criteria to provide further guidance on how to present a performance principle- based solution.Subsection 4.5.2 How to Apply the Criteria (page 21)
1.3Dec 2017Revised section 4.6 Bushfire Management Plans to align with the revised appendix 5.Section 4.6 Bushfire Management Plans (pages 22 – 24)
1.3Dec 2017Revised Appendix 5 Bushfire Management Plan to clarify the layout and information to be provided within a Bushfire Management Plan.Appendix 5 Bushfire Management Plan Checklist

Maps of gazetted town sites and surrounding 50 km boundary

Allowances have been made for new single houses or ancillary dwellings (e.g. granny flats) proposed in a remote location. In remote areas where a proposed new single house or ancillary dwelling will be located outside a 50 km radius of a gazetted townsite, a property owner may be able to complete their own BAL assessment (see Fact sheet: Building a house in a remote area). If your proposed development is located in the Perth, Peel, Great Southern or South West regions, this ‘special provision’ will not apply.

If your new single house or ancillary dwelling will be located in one of the regions listed below please use the following maps to find your development location using the zoom in function. If your proposed development is located outside a gazetted townsite 50km boundary, you have the opportunity to prepare your own BAL assessment.

Regions

Note: Metropolitan Peel, South West and Great Southern regions have no areas falling outside a 50km radius of a gazetted townsite.

Local governments which are not completely covered by a local planning scheme

The new bushfire regulatory planning requirements only apply to development applications in areas which are covered by a local planning scheme. If your development application is located outside of a local planning scheme then there are no additional bushfire regulatory planning requirements. 

You should contact your local government to enquire if your development application is covered by a local planning scheme. 

Alternatively you can use the maps below to find out if your development application is located within a local planning scheme. If a local government is not listed below then it is completely covered by a local planning scheme. Under this scenario if you are using the interactive tool you should answer YES to the question “Will your proposed new house or ancillary dwelling be located in an area covered by a local planning scheme?” or “Will your proposed development be located in an area covered by a local planning scheme?” (dependant on the type of development you are proposing). 

Please note that you will need to zoom for greater detail on the map. Sections that are shaded orange are covered by a local planning scheme. 

Regions

Related pages

Page last reviewed 31 July 2019

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this site may contain images of people who are deceased.

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