On this page you will find information about:
Identifying bushfire protection areas Complying with the bushfire code How bushfire protection areas affect building and development Identifying bushfire protection areas
South Australia has been mapped for three categories for bushfire protection areas depending on the level of risk from bushfires:
For a full listing of bushfire protection areas see About bushfire protection areas.
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Complying with the bushfire code
Applicants undertaking development in bushfire protection areas, and professionals who assess those development applications need to comply with the bushfire code (PDF 329KB).
The code has been introduced to assist applicants seeking to undertake development in bushfire protection areas, and the professionals who assess those development applications.
The code is limited to bushfire related planning requirements and includes:
- a checklist of information required when lodging a development application for land division
- new dwellings
- tourist accommodation or other habitable buildings, including additions or alterations to any of these buildings.
In addition to the information provided in the code for guidance purposes, there are a number of bushfire protection measures which are required to be assessed as part of a development application including:
- public road design in respect to a land division proposal
- the location and design of private roads and driveways
- access to dedicated water supplies
- the location of buildings away from existing and proposed trees and vegetation.
The bushfire risk level online search tool will help you find out if you are in a bushfire protection area.
For an alternative version (including historical) of this document, contact the Assessment of development proposals environmental impact assessments and major developments.
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How bushfire protection areas affect building and development
Bushfire protection areas are subject to bushfire-related planning and building requirements. The level of bushfire risk determined for the site will impact on the number of requirements that may apply.
The planning requirements in bushfire protection areas include:
- whether the application needs to be referred to the CFS – high risk areas only
- having dedicated water supplies for fire fighting
- buffer zones between homes and flammable or combustible vegetation
- appropriate access roads.
The building requirements in bushfire protection areas include:
- whether the site must have an assessment for the level of bushfire attack – high risk areas only
- where there is a site assessment building features that increase bushfire protection will depend on the level of expected bushfire attack - eg spark and ember protection only or direct flame contact
- houses in medium bushfire risk areas can either be built to a set of specific requirements without the need for a site assessment or they can have a site assessment to determine the level of bushfire attack and relevant building features
- houses in general bushfire risk areas are required to have their sub-floor spaces enclosed to prevent the accumulation of burning embers.
Details of the building requirements can be found in the Building Code of Australia and Minister's Specification SA 78 Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas.
Some areas within bushfire protection zones are excluded from planning requirements if enhanced protection measures are not required because there are adequate water supply and fire-fighting services. However they may not be excluded from building requirements.
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More information
On this site
Council monitoring of fire safety for buildings
About bushfire protection areas
Bushfire risk assessment tool
Requirements for bushfire risk areas
Polycarbonate sheeting in bushfire protection areas
Other websites
Standards Australia
Australian Building Codes Board
Country Fire Service
CSIRO
Downloads
Ways to make your home more resistant to bushfires (PDF 1.1MB)
Minister's Specification SA 78 Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas (PDF 27KB)
For an alternative version of these documents contact the Assessment of development proposals environmental impact assessments and major developments.
Bushfire smoke and your health (PDF 823KB)
For an alternative version of this document contact Public Health.
Legislation
Development Act 1993
Contacts
Assessment of development proposals environmental impact assessments and major developments