VC248 Bushfire Planning Provisions: What Victorian Property Owners Need to Know

Amendment VC248 was gazetted on 5 May 2026, making significant changes to Victoria's bushfire planning framework. If you're building, subdividing, or developing land in or near a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), your application will now be assessed under the new rules.

What Clauses Does VC248 Change?

VC248 amends three key clauses in the Victoria Planning Provisions:

• Clause 13.02 – State bushfire planning policy

• Clause 44.06 – Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

• Clause 53.02 – Bushfire Protection: Planning Requirements

These clauses govern everything from whether you need a permit, to what hazard assessments and bushfire protection measures your application must include.

Does VC248 Affect Your Application?

Yes — if your land is in the BMO or a Bushfire Prone Area. Any application lodged from 5 May 2026 is assessed against the new provisions. Applications already in progress may also be affected.

Key things that haven't changed: you still need a permit for most construction and subdivision in the BMO, Bushfire Management Plans and Statements are still required, and the CFA remains the referral authority.

What Should You Do?

Get advice before lodging. The transitional period after a major amendment is when costly mistakes happen. A town planner and accredited Bushfire Planning and Design Practitioner (BPAD) can ensure your application meets the new requirements from the start.

Check the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) website for the latest guidance, including the updated Bushfire Hazard Assessments Guideline released in May 2026.

Need Help With a Bushfire Planning Application?

We can help you understand how VC248 affects your project and prepare a permit application that meets the new provisions. Contact us to get started.

This post is general information only and does not constitute planning advice.