Draft State Planning Policy 3.7 – Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines

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Consultation has concluded

Overview

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has released the draft State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire (SPP 3.7) and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (Guidelines) for public comment.

Significant changes have been made that address concerns raised by key stakeholders, including state and local government agencies, and industry representatives, about implementation issues associated with the 2015 policy.

Draft SPP 3.7 and the Guidelines incorporate a contemporary best-practice approach to planning in bushfire prone areas. Key improvements in the draft policy include:

  • a stronger emphasis on considering bushfire requirements in early planning stages
  • new policy provisions to apply to different categories on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas
  • introduction of an assessment of the broader landscape surrounding a development site, as a means of demonstrating locations with an unacceptable level of bushfire risk
  • an outcomes-based approach to facilitate improved flexibility and understanding by decision-makers
  • clearer guidance and a more user-friendly format as the Guidelines are now divided into sections based on the planning stage
  • clearer guidance on the preparation of bushf ire management plans.

Please note draft SPP 3.7 and the Guidelines are being released as a draft – public consultation – not intended for decision making. This means the release is to gather feedback, help refine policy elements,and determine whether the new provisions can be implemented. Significant refinement post-consultation may be required and as such the draft policy is not considered to be sufficiently advanced to be given weight in planning decision-making.

Please note the Draft Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, has been released for public comment from 15 September to 15 December 2023.

If you require more information regarding the Map and the future DFES consultation process, please refer to the DFES website.

What happens next

All submissions will be analysed, and a response formulated for consideration by the WAPC.

Once endorsed by the Governor (upon recommendations from the WAPC and the Minister for Planning), the final SPP 3.7 and Guidelines will be gazetted, followed by a four-month transition period, at which time the former SPP 3.7 (2015) and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas version 1.4 (2020) will be rescinded.

This consultation has now closed.

Overview

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has released the draft State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire (SPP 3.7) and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (Guidelines) for public comment.

Significant changes have been made that address concerns raised by key stakeholders, including state and local government agencies, and industry representatives, about implementation issues associated with the 2015 policy.

Draft SPP 3.7 and the Guidelines incorporate a contemporary best-practice approach to planning in bushfire prone areas. Key improvements in the draft policy include:

  • a stronger emphasis on considering bushfire requirements in early planning stages
  • new policy provisions to apply to different categories on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas
  • introduction of an assessment of the broader landscape surrounding a development site, as a means of demonstrating locations with an unacceptable level of bushfire risk
  • an outcomes-based approach to facilitate improved flexibility and understanding by decision-makers
  • clearer guidance and a more user-friendly format as the Guidelines are now divided into sections based on the planning stage
  • clearer guidance on the preparation of bushf ire management plans.

Please note draft SPP 3.7 and the Guidelines are being released as a draft – public consultation – not intended for decision making. This means the release is to gather feedback, help refine policy elements,and determine whether the new provisions can be implemented. Significant refinement post-consultation may be required and as such the draft policy is not considered to be sufficiently advanced to be given weight in planning decision-making.

Please note the Draft Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, has been released for public comment from 15 September to 15 December 2023.

If you require more information regarding the Map and the future DFES consultation process, please refer to the DFES website.

What happens next

All submissions will be analysed, and a response formulated for consideration by the WAPC.

Once endorsed by the Governor (upon recommendations from the WAPC and the Minister for Planning), the final SPP 3.7 and Guidelines will be gazetted, followed by a four-month transition period, at which time the former SPP 3.7 (2015) and the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas version 1.4 (2020) will be rescinded.

This consultation has now closed.