Understanding Bushfire Prone Areas (BPAs) in Western Australia
If you're planning to build, renovate, or subdivide land in Western Australia, it's important to understand what it means for a property to be in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA). This article explains how BPAs are identified, how the official Map of Busfire Prone Areas works, and what it means for you as a landowner or developer.
What Is a Bushfire Prone Area?
A Bushfire Prone Area is land that is likely to be subject to bushfire attack due to the presence of certain types of vegetation. These areas are formally designated by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner under Section 18P of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.
A BPA includes:
Bushfire-prone vegetation (BPV), as defined in AS 3959:2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.
A 100-metre buffer zone around that vegetation.
The purpose of BPA designation is to ensure that new development considers bushfire risk, particularly through planning and building controls.
What Is the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas?
The BPA Map is an interactive online tool that visually displays designated bushfire-prone land across Western Australia. It is maintained by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and is updated annually to reflect current land conditions and vegetation.
You can access the map at:
https://maps.slip.wa.gov.au/landgate/bushfireprone
The map is essential for determining whether a property may be subject to bushfire planning and building requirements.
Why the Map Matters for Planning and Building
If a property falls within a BPA, the owner may need to:
Engage a consultant to undertake a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment;
Have a Bushfire Management Plan prepared;
Comply with construction standards outlined in AS 3959.
These requirements aim to reduce the risk to life and property in the event of a bushfire.
How the Map Is Maintained and Updated
Since its first release in December 2015, the BPA Map has been updated periodically to improve accuracy. The most recent update took effect on 24 September 2024, replacing the 2021 version.
Updates are based on improved imagery, revised mapping methods, vegetation changes, and local government feedback. Importantly, aerial imagery used in the map interface is for location purposes only and is not used to determine BPA boundaries.
What Is Area 1 on the Map?
Area 1 is a special designation introduced for urbanised suburbs on the Swan Coastal Plain (including parts of Perth, Peel and Greater Bunbury). These areas:
Are densely developed (residential, commercial or industrial);
Contain isolated vegetation patches;
Are surrounded by roads and infrastructure;
Pose minimal risk of landscape-scale bushfires.
Area 1 still appears on the BPA Map but generally does not trigger bushfire construction requirements unless specific vegetation remains.
How to Check Your Property on the Map
When using the map:
Enter your property address or use the pan/zoom tool.
Click within the property boundary – a pop-up will indicate whether the lot intersects a BPA.
If your lot is highlighted with a “Designation: Bush Fire Prone” message, the site may require further assessment.
For strata lots, the BPA designation applies to the entire green title or common property, depending on the scheme structure.
If your address is newly created and doesn't appear, try searching by Proposed Roads or using GPS coordinates.
Why Your Property Might Be Included (Even if It Looks Clear)
Even if your land has little or no vegetation, it might still fall within a BPA due to the 100-metre buffer rule. Research shows homes located within 100 m of bushfire-prone vegetation are still at risk, especially from ember attack.
What If You Think the Map Is Wrong?
If you believe your property has been incorrectly included or the aerial imagery is out of date:
Contact your local council’s planning or building department.
They can liaise with DFES to request a reassessment during a future map review.
Limitations of the Map
The Map does not show hazard levels—it only shows whether an area is designated as bushfire-prone.
Currently, there is no hazard-based bushfire mapping at a scale appropriate for WA-wide planning decisions.
Resources and More Information
Final Thoughts
Understanding whether your property is in a Bushfire Prone Area is an essential first step in planning or building in Western Australia. If you’re unsure how BPA designation applies to your project, a bushfire consultant can guide you through the map, site assessment, and any planning requirements.
