Getting ready - Nillumbik Shire Council

610/30 EXEMPTION – HELPING MAKE NILLUMBIK FIRE-READYChanges to the Planning RegulationsThe Department of Planning has made a number of changes to the Victoria Planning Provisionsfollowing recommendations from the Royal Commission and these changes have come into effectfrom November 2011.These changes apply to• the amount of vegetation that can beremoved from around a property;• the Wildfire Management Overlay,• building regulations and• bushfire shelters.For further information about bushfirebuilding visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/bushfireBushfire ManagementOverlaysAreas that were within the WildfireManagement Overlay will now be subjectto the new Bushfire Management Overlay.This new overlay will have an impact onnew developments such as the siting ofa building, providing defendable space,on-site water availability and emergencyvehicle access.The new overlay will also ensure that anyfuture developments in areas affected bysignificant bushfire hazard only take placeafter full consideration of bushfire issues.If risk to life and property from bushfirecannot be reduced to an acceptable levelthe development will not proceed.For further information about whetheryour property is subject to a BushfireManagement Overlay please contact thePlanning Unit at Council on 9433 3343 orCFA on 9262 8444.Vegetation removalThe temporary 10/30 exemptionintroduced to the Victoria PlanningProvisions in 2009 has now been madepermanent with some additional changes.Permits are no longer needed to removetrees around an existing building (that isused for accommodation) for up to 10metres nor to clear any vegetation excepttrees for up to 30 metres from that buildingon your own land. The building must haveexisted before September 2009.If you live on a property which has aBushfire Management Overlay applied thenpermits are no longer needed to removetrees around an existing building (that isused for accommodation) for up to 10metres nor to clear any vegetation excepttrees for up to 50 metres from that buildingon your own land. The building must haveexisted before September 2009.The exemption applies to all buildings usedfor accommodation regardless of whetherthere are any overlays.However, landowners need to ensurethat they have checked their Land Titleparticulars to ensure that there are nocovenants or other legal agreements whichare not covered by the exemptions.To check title particulars, residents cancontact the Land Titles Office on (03) 86362456 or visit www.land.vic.gov.au.Finding the balanceThe 10/30 rule has now been in place forover two years. Some residents haveutilised the provisions, but in general,most residents have kept the trees andvegetation around their property.Council continues to encourageresidents to think carefully about treeand vegetation removal and to contactthe Planning Unit on 9433 3111.Nillumbik is called the Green WedgeShire and we are known as the ‘lungs’ ofMelbourne. Our beautiful open spacesand natural treed environment, togetherwith our friendly villages, add to thelifestyle of the Shire.While we like the environmentsurrounding us, bushfire safety is ofparamount importance. Striking the rightbalance is essential.Before removing trees and vegetation,people need to think about their value– do they provide shading or screening;what, if anything, will need to bereplanted, and will their removal causeproblems with land slip or erosion.If you feel you need technical advice, youcan contact a Geotechnical Engineeror a Land Management Consultant.Research shows that fine fuelsenhance fire intensity so it is worthwhileconcentrating on cleaning up things suchas long, dry grass, fallen leaves andtwigs and then decide whether to removetrees or vegetation.Vegetation and bushfireIn addition to the above, we would urgeresidents to think about their personalsafety and those around them if they dodecide to remove trees. You should alsoconsider how you intend to dispose ofunwanted vegetation.While tree and vegetation removalmay help reduce fire risk in certaincircumstances, it’s important that peopleare not complacent believing that this isall they need to do to be safe during abushfire.Everyone should have a comprehensivebushfire survival plan – a well thoughtout plan about how you will prepare andrespond to a fire in your area. For moreinformation about preparing your planvisit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.