BUILDING IN A BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREA
All of the Adelaide Hills Council area must meet bushfire construction requirements. Excluded areas also require bushfire fighting facilities when a site is within 500 metres of a high bushfire risk area.
An application is required to satisfy the relevant bushfire provisions in the Adelaide Hills Council Development Plan. Habitable structures (dwellings, dwelling additions and tourist accommodation) within a High Bushfire Risk Area require a mandatory referral to the Country Fire Service (CFS) where they have six weeks to assess the application. The CFS has the power of direction and all requirements and conditions imposed must be adhered to.
Development Applications within a bushfire risk area are also required to demonstrate compliance with the Minister's Code Undertaking Development in Bushfire Protection Areas February 2009 (as amended October 2012). At the Building Rules stage, applications are required to demonstrate compliance with the Minister's Specifications "SA 78 Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas". The Council's Bushfire Services Plan fact sheet provides useful information in this regard.
BUSHFIRE MAPS
Click here to view bushfire maps as identified within the Adelaide Hills Development Plan.
Alternative maps can be found through the state map system PLB (opens in new tab).
PRIVATE BUSHFIRE SHELTERS
All private bushfire shelters require building and development approval and concurrence from the Building Committee of the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP).
In certain situations they will not require a planning assessment.
USEFUL LINKS
Minister's code for undertaking development in bushfire protection areas
Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas (SA78-2011)
CFS development assessment webpage
State Government bushfire information
Guide for bushfire services plan for building in bushfire prone areas
