A two-year spatial assessment of Victoria’s fire risks, which began after the 2009 ‘Black Saturday’ fires, has determined that more than 84 per cent of the state is at risk from fire.
The findings will mean fire-preventing building regulations will remain in-force for most of the state. After the 2009 disaster, the entire state was classified ‘bushfire prone’ until a thorough study completed. With the study now complete, only a few parts of the state will have the classification – and the building regulations – lifted.
The areas that are considered free of busfire risk include metropolitan Melbourne, sections of northwestern Victoria and isolated pockets of Gippsland and northern Victoria.
All other parts of the state need to pay $350-$400 for a Bushfire Attack Level assessment to obtain a building permit.
The risk maps are available to view at land.vic.gov.au and dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning
