YARRA RANGES Council will write to state Planning Minister Matthew Guy seeking an urgent review of the rules on building in fire-prone areas.
The state government introduced a number of new laws last year in light of the Royal Commission into the February 2009 bushfires. The council said the laws conflicted with the planning scheme.
The issue was brought in the spotlight again at a council meeting last month. Resident Quinton Bloxham had applied for a permit to build a new house on a vacant lot in Ferny Creek.
Council officers recommended his application be rejected on the basis that living there presented too great a risk to human life, despite the fact the land sat in the middle of a built-up residential street.
Councillors approved the permit 7-2, and Cr Noel Cliff put forward a motion that called for the state government to re-examine the new laws.
"What are we going to do? Slowly move people out of the area home by home?" Cr Cliff said.
Cr Samantha Dunn said Mr Bloxham's application highlighted the confusion over the legislation. The council also passed its shire-wide fire management plan 2012-2014.