Defendable Space
BMO Bushfire Protection Measures
WHAT IS
Defendable Space
When you are building in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) you will need to provide and maintain an area of vegetation around your building to reduce the bushfire risk to the building and occupants, this is known as 'defendable space'. The size of the defendable space is determined by many factors including what the vegetation is, the slope of the land under the vegetation, and what the level of bushfire construction is.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
Defendable Space
Defendable Space Requirements (Table 6 of Clause 53.02-5)
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Grass must be short cropped and maintained during the declared fire danger period.
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All leaves and vegetation debris must be removed at regular intervals during the declared fire danger period.
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Within 10 metres of a building, flammable objects must not be located close to the vulnerable parts of the building.
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Plants greater than 10 centimetres in height must not be placed within 3m of a window or glass feature of the building.
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Shrubs must not be located under the canopy of trees.
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Individual and clumps of shrubs must not exceed 5 sq. metres in area and must be separated by at least 5 metres.
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Trees must not overhang or touch any elements of the building.
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The canopy of trees must be separated by at least 5 metres.
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There must be a clearance of at least 2 metres between the lowest tree branches and ground level.
Bushfire Protection Measures
