MURRINDINDI SHIRE.
Over 5,000 additional properties in Murrindindi Shire now fall under the amended Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) which came into effect on October 3, 2017.
The Victorian Government recently reviewed the mapping for the BMO and, as a result, the Shire’s planning scheme maps have been updated to include more properties in the overlay.
The revised BMO does not apply to existing homes or properties that already have a planning permit in place.
Shire Mayor Charlie Bisset said the revised BMO was a key recommendation of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and is the State’s planning control for properties with the potential to be affected by extreme bushfires.
“In reviewing the first BMO, the Victorian Government has worked closely with the CFA and CSIRO to research extreme bushfire risk areas. That work has resulted in the expansion of the BMO that is now in place. This should give the community confidence that the BMO is based on the best science available,” Cr Bisset said.
“The first BMO, introduced in 2011, covered more than 1,000 properties across the Shire. The boundaries of the revised BMO will now mean there are over 6,000 properties included.
“You can check if your property is included in the BMO using the Government’s Planning Maps Online tool. If your property falls within the BMO you may now need a planning permit to build or develop your land.
“Residents whose properties have been included in the revised BMO will receive notification by mail. Letters will also be sent to those properties where the BMO has been removed.
“The additional planning controls put in place by the BMO mean that our communities will be safer and more resilient to bushfire,” Cr Bisset said.
More information about the BMO including the Planning Maps Online tool can be found at www.planning.vic.gov.au/bmo. You can also contact Council’s Planning Unit on (03) 5772 0333 for advice on the planning process, building or developing your land.
