By DANIELLE GALVIN
A FAMILY who put “every penny” into buying a block of land in Cockatoo say they are unable to build their dream home.
Jacqui McIntosh is renting in Cranbourne while she decides what to do with a block of land she owns in Waratah Way.
She bought the block in late October 2010 and following the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations, the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) has left her in limbo.
“Everything we have is worthless,” she said.
Ms McIntosh said it has been a long and expensive project following the introduction of the BMO.
“If it’s too dangerous to build up there, why is it safe enough for the people who live there already?”
She said “every penny” went into buying the block, which was now all worthless.
“Nobody is going to buy it,” Ms McIntosh said.
Shire of Yarra Ranges councillors have been lobbying the State Government about their “dissatisfaction” with the fact that the BMO was taking away the rights of landowners.
Cardinia Shire Council’s Development Services Manager Brett Jackson said the BMO applies to land in Victoria’s bushfire risk areas, such as Cockatoo, Gembrook and Emerald.
“It means council must assess planning applications in these areas according to planning scheme guidelines to ensure that bushfire risk is considered when determining the location, design and construction of all future developments,” he said.
“Bushfire protection measures must also be implemented.”
Mr Jackson said in most cases, a planning permit with appropriate conditions will be issued but some proposed developments in high bushfire risk areas cannot be approved if they would pose an unacceptable threat to people’s lives and properties.
“Council has received a number of inquiries about the BMO,” he said.
“Residents have asked about the reasons for its introduction, the information that must be submitted with a planning permit application, and the conditions to be observed in order to have a permit approved in high bushfire risk areas.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the BMO’s key structure was developed around providing the best protection for Victorians living in bushfire prone areas.
“The planning control recognises bushfire prone areas and where a new development is proposed, land owners will need to meet certain building requirements as well as creating suitable defendable space,” he said.
“Local councils are able to tailor specific BMO schedules for their townships so that property owners will be able to build.”
