- Release of updated policy continues McGowan Government planning reform program
- Revised State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines reflect different levels of bushfire risk
- Community feedback will help inform the final policy and guidelines
- Updated policy continues the Government’s delivery of 2019 Action Plan for Bushfire Framework Review
The McGowan Government has today released a revised planning policy framework in response to the 2019 Action Plan for Bushfire Framework Review.
The action plan and review of the bushfire policy frameworks were undertaken in response to community concerns about bushfire reforms implemented in 2015.
The draft State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines has been informed by extensive policy development, consultation and testing and is now open for public comment.
Significant changes have been made to the policy and supporting guidelines to incorporate a contemporary best-practice approach to planning in bushfire prone areas and address implementation issues experienced with the previous policy framework.
Comprehensive engagement with the development sector, local government and industry has helped identify key improvements to the State’s bushfire planning framework which include:
- a stronger emphasis on considering bushfire requirements in early planning stages;
- new policy provisions to apply to different categories on the draft Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas;
- introduction of an assessment of the broader landscape surrounding a development site, as a means of identifying locations with an unacceptable level of bushfire risk;
- an outcomes-based approach to facilitate improved flexibility and understanding by decision-makers; and
- clearer guidance and a more user-friendly format as the guidelines are now divided into sections based on the planning stage
To make a submission on the draft State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines visit https://consultation.dplh.wa.gov.au/. Comments close on Monday 17 July 2023.
A draft Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas has also been released to assist in discussions on the draft policy and guidelines. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services will be seeking feedback on the draft map in the second half of 2023, in order to inform a final map, with submissions to be made via [email protected].
More information on planning and building requirements in bushfire prone areas is available at https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au and https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy.
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Our Government is committed to improving Western Australia’s planning framework and to correct the inherited issues of the current framework for bushfire prone areas.
“This revised policy improves the consideration of bushfire requirements early in the planning process, and also proposes a more measured response to development within existing built-up urban areas.
“These policy improvements have been informed by extensive consultation and feedback that we receive from this public comment period will inform the final policy and guidelines to ensure they deliver what the community needs.
“This consultation process is an important opportunity for the Western Australian community to make a submission on these draft bushfire documents.”
As stated by Acting Emergency Services Minister Sue Ellery:
“The vast majority of our State is bushfire prone land that requires management and we are seeing the frequency and severity of bushfires increasing due to climate change.
“It is incredibly important that the tools we have at our disposal to map bushfire risk utilise the latest technology and research to ensure the highest accuracy possible.
“I’m confident that changes made to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas better reflect bushfire risk across WA – particularly in built-up urban areas. We have a draft map that will vastly improve decision making and that may be subject to further changes to form a final position.
“Refining the map allows a more consistent and pragmatic approach to applying bushfire building standards while at the same time maintaining robust frameworks that help keep our community safe.”
