By MELISSA MEEHAN
THE BUSHFIRE Management Overlay will affect landowners throughout the Yarra Ranges, according to a local councillor.
Yarra Ranges councillor Fiona McAllister last week voiced her concern that the BMO regulations would affect small towns in the shire.
And she said that after speaking to local real estate agents, it was already affecting land sales.
“Eighteen months ago the BMO replaced the WMO with some significant changes,” she said.
“A lot of these changes include the reason landowners move to these towns in the first place.”
While supporting the push to reduce the risk to life, Cr McAllister said it was hard for her to support legislation that was “impossible” to comply with.
“I don’t remember at the election saying that we wanted to stop development in rural areas,” she said.
“It’s time the politicians realised that Victoria cannot be fire-proofed.”
She referenced Chum Creek resident Michael Saul’s situation, which stops him from building on his land because the BMO regulations say it’s unsafe.
“According to these regulations the area that Mr Saul wants to build in is unsafe,” she said.
“But there are already over 30 homes with families in them in the same area.”
Mr Saul said he was disappointed that he was unable to build his home, considering he was issued a permit in the past, but due to personal circumstances the permit had expired.
But he is not the only resident affected by the new regulations – early last month an application to build a home in Chum Creek Road, Healesville had 34 conditions placed on the permit so that it could meet the BMO.
These conditions included a static water supply of at least 10,000 litres of water maintained and kept solely for fire-fighting purposes.
“It’s not right that we cannot allow new developments in these towns; it will affect small vibrant communities,” she said.
Cr McAllister said she shuddered at the thought of Healesville in 20 years if the current BMO continued as it stood.
“We have a battle on our hands,” she said.
“But we will stand up for the victims of the BMO like Michael Saul who should be allowed to build his dream home on his own land.”
What do you think about the BMO? Are you affected? We’d love to hear your thoughts, email editor@yvnews.com.au
