Fire rules too harsh

By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
COUNCILLORS are calling on the State Government to review tough bushfire planning rules because residents are facing too many challenges when rebuilding or renovating their houses.
Councillor Noel Cliff told the Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 26 June that the government needed to investigate the impacts of the bushfire provisions and redevelop the regulations.
Other councillors agreed, saying some of the rules were common sense, but experience so far had shown the bushfire rules needed to be refined.
Cr Cliff said the rigor of the new planning rules meant there were likely to be sites where the standards could not be met, which would have significant impacts on residents trying to obtain planning approvals in areas such as Warburton and the Dandenong Ranges.
“These new laws show something as simple as fixing a tree falling on the house after a heavy wind storm – those people are going to be told through the planning department that under new rules they cannot rebuild unless they meet this incredibly complicated criteria,” he said.
“The odds are that only a miniscule number of people can do that.”
Councillor Samantha Dunn said they had already seen the unintended consequences of the bushfire overlay in planning applications that had gone before the council.
“It can affect people who may have lived on a property for years but a new extension means a whole new set of regulations,” she said.
“I’d have to remove just about every piece of vegetation on my block.
“It’s probably not the best outcome and an unintended consequence.”
Yarra Ranges Council will write to the Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, to draw his attention to the current challenges and seek advice as to what investigations have occurred that show the impacts of the bushfire provisions on established communities.