Fencing in Chum Creek

Every block is in the bushfire overlay

The Bushfire Management Overlay covers all of Chum Creek. That matters for an old boundary fence: where the fence was built before 10 September 2009, the vegetation along it can be cleared 4 m wide, both sides together, without a planning permit. If your neighbour has already cleared 4 m on their side, you may clear 1 m on yours.

For the fence itself, CFA's garden advice favours stone walls and non-combustible fences, and no fence running up to a window, deck or eave. It is advice, not a rule. Clearing a fence line has the conditions.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.12 (bushfire protection exemptions), DELWP: vegetation exemptions for bushfire protection (fact sheet) and CFA: designing a fire-resistant garden.

Selection blocks under SLO6

A sawmill opened here in 1891 and the land was surveyed for selections the next year, so the pattern is farms and bush blocks rather than streets. About half is Green Wedge and a third Rural Conservation, and most of it is under SLO6. That overlay asks for a planning permit for a fence unless it is rural post and open-weave wire under 1.8 m.

Three quarters of the locality also has ESO1. Its fence wording is unclear, so ask Yarra Ranges planning if it is on your VicPlan property report.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Chum Creek, Victoria, Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23) and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.01 (ESO1, ESO2).

Plain wire in the bush

The state's Land for Wildlife note on fencing says gliders and birds get caught on barbed wire, and recommends plain wire wherever it does the job. Between two farms, a wire and post fence is the state's own example of a sufficient fence, and the neighbours share it equally. Farm fencing goes further.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Land for Wildlife note LW0029: fencing wildlife habitat (1999), Victorian Government: fencing in Victoria and Fences Act 1968 (Vic), authorised version 072.

Down the road

Healesville

House blocks under SLO22, where only the front fence has a permit rule.

Dixons Creek

Farms and reserves under SLO6 and SLO2, the same post-and-wire rule.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23).