I have a Bushfire Management Overlay affecting my land. What does this mean for future development?

The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) is applied to land where the bushfire hazard requires bushfire protection measures to be implemented. The overlay aims to ensure development is only permitted where risk to life and property from bushfire can be reduced to an acceptable level.  

In the Ballarat North precinct, the BMO affects some land directly adjoining the Ballarat North Wastewater Treatment Plant, directly to the south of the precinct.   

The VPA is currently preparing a precinct structure plan (PSP) for the precinct, however the existing BMO will remain during plan preparation and once the plan is complete.  

When the PSP is complete, landowners who wish to develop their properties in accordance with the plan will need to apply for a planning permit with the City of Ballarat.  Any planning permit application (including subdivision applications), where land is affected by the BMO, is required to be accompanied by:  

• A bushfire hazard site assessment  
• A bushfire hazard landscape assessment  
• A bushfire management statement  

All applications will be assessed by the Country Fire Authority, through a formal referral from the City of Ballarat. Development can only be supported where the bushfire risk can be reduced to an acceptable level.