The Victorian State Government, Planning Minister & Department of Environment Land Water & Planning (DELWP) have now introduced a significant expansion of the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) across the whole of Victoria that will affects many additional properties within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, that were not previously affected by the BMO Overlay. The Townships of Healesville, Yarra Junction, Mount Evelyn, and parts of Lilydale to name a few areas which are now affected.
Please be aware that these BMO Overlay changes were introduced by the State Government, not Council.
The BMO expansion, will likely add significantly to the cost of planning applications and building costs for any development on affected properties, although some applications can accept a standar set of criteria in lieu of individual assessment against the BMO requirements . Properties recently affected by these changes to the BMO, may now have additional vegetation clearance opportunities without planning permit. Affected homeowners may also need to review their home insurance policies, so that the extra cost of rebuilding a dwelling with BMO compliance has been considered.
To see if the changes affect your property, visit Planning Maps Online & search using your property address tocreate a planning property report. If affected, the BMO & its relevant schedule will appear in the report generated. Within Yarra Ranges, there are two schedules to the BMO Overlay (BMO1 & BMO2)
Please don't hesitate to contact our office should you require our assistance.
