High Bushfire Risk Area - Requirements

Please note: This information applies only to those Development Plans with Bushfire Protection Areas. These councils are located on Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, the South-East, the Riverland, Murray Bridge, mid-North, Mt Lofty Ranges and parts of the metropolitan Adelaide region. A list of these councils is available here.

For additional information regarding bushfire protection, including preparing your own Bushfire Action Plan, please visit the SA Country Fire Service website (external link).

The selected property falls within an area described as HIGH BUSHFIRE RISK.

Proposals to develop property within High Bushfire Risk Areas are assessed against the Bushfire Protection planning provisions of the relevant local area Development Plan, as well as other relevant provisions.

Proposals for a land division, dwelling or tourist accommodation within High Bushfire Risk Areas MUST be referred to the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) by the relevant planning authority (usually the Council) for advice. The CFS may direct the planning authority in determining such applications.

All new habitable buildings (e.g. a dwelling or tourist accommodation) will be assessed for compliance with the following criteria:

  • Have a dedicated fire fighting water supply of at least 22,000 litres
  • Ensure that gaps between the dwelling floor and the ground are enclosed to prevent burning debris from entering
  • Be set back 20 metres from flammable/combustible vegetation
  • Be located and designed to minimise risk from bushfires
  • Have access roads and tracks that are appropriately designed and built for entry and exit of vehicles, including fire fighting vehicles, during a fire.

Furher detail on the bushfire planning requirements is contained in the following document, which includes a checklist of actions which should be followed by all applicants:

Most of the measures have already been recommended to people building in bushfire prone areas for many years.

Other planning requirements relating to the subject property will also be contained within the relevant local area Development Plan. You should contact the local Council for advice. Council contact details can be found on the Local Government Association website. Alternatively, you may view the Development Plan on the Planning in SA website.

In addition, new buildings will also be assessed against the provisions of the building rules to ensure they are designed and constructed to provide an appropriate level of protection ranging from just sparks and embers up to direct flame contact. The determination of the appropriate level of protection requires a site assessment in accordance with AS 3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas to identify of the expected level of bushfire attack (BAL). This assessment is done by either the applicant or the applicant’s agent and is submitted to the council or private certifier as part of the application for building rules consent.

Details of the building construction requirements applicable in South Australia for the bushfire attack level of the site (from assessment) can be found in the state variations to the Building Code of Australia and the South Australian Housing Code and Minister’s Specification SA 78.