Revised Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas to be released tomorrow

The map is aimed at limiting the impact of bushfires by informing future building and development.

Office of Bushfire Risk Management Executive Manager Tim McNaught said the revised map incorporates updates from local governments following the Map’s first release last year.

“The map has been refined in partnership with local governments as part of a continuous process to ensure it closely reflects local circumstances,” he said.

“The map will be reviewed annually, so if you believe your property has been incorrectly listed on the map, your local government can work with the Office of Bushfire Risk Management to ensure your property is added or removed as part of the review process.

“Your local government can also advise you on what to do during the interim until the map is updated.”

The map is part of a suite of planning and building requirements for new developments in bushfire prone areas, launched by the State Government through the Department of Planning in December last year.

It addresses key recommendations from the Keelty Report into the 2011 Perth Hills bushfire.

Please refer to the Department of Planning website www.planning.wa.gov.au/bushfire for further information about the planning requirements for properties in bushfire prone areas on the map.

The next edition of the map will be released in May 2017.

The Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas 2016 will be available from noon tomorrow, via: www.dfes.wa.gov.au/bushfireproneareas

Fact file:

• The Map shows areas that have been designated as bushfire prone by order of the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner under section 18P of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
• Designated bushfire prone areas are coloured pink on the Map.
• The 2016 edition of the Map will show both ‘new’ bushfire prone areas and those ‘continuing’ from the first edition of the Map released in December 2015. The newly designated areas are identified on the Map by a blue cross-hatched overlay.
• A four-month transitional period may apply for properties in newly designated areas.
• Contact your local government for further information about the planning and building requirements in your area.
• Frequently Asked Questions and other resources are available on the DFES website: www.dfes.wa.gov.au/bushfireproneareas

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Media Contact: DFES Media and Corporate Communications 9225 5955