Bushfire Risk in Calwell, ACT: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
6.0/10Calwell has a relatively high bushfire risk due to its proximity to grassland and bushland areas. Hot, dry summers and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- Calwell has a relatively high bushfire risk due to its proximity to grassland and bushland areas. Hot, dry summers and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Calwell, ACT
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2905
- Region
- ACT
- Median property value
- $875,000
- Dominant hazard
- bushfire (6/10)
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 8.9% of land (bushfire)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Calwell, Australian Capital Territory, has a calwell has a relatively high bushfire risk due to its proximity to grassland and bushland areas. hot, dry summers and strong winds can exacerbate the risk. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Australian Capital Territory fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.
Properties bordering grassland reserves require active management to reduce fuel loads.
CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Calwell, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.
Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Calwell including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Calwell sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 8.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 62.8% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Calwell.
On ClimateNest's 0โ10 suburb hazard index, Calwell scores 6 for bushfire risk โ a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Calwell can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.
Calwell (postcode 2905), is an Australian Capital Territory suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $875,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Calwell.
Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Calwell is bushfire (score 6/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+30% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look โ the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.
Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Calwell, bushfire is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Calwell are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
The 2003 Canberra bushfires caused widespread destruction and impacted many suburbs, including areas near Calwell.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure to reduce the risk of localised flooding during heavy rainfall events.
Est. cost: Medium
Reduce bushfire fuel loads
ImmediateImplement regular vegetation management programs to reduce fuel loads in areas surrounding Calwell, particularly near grassland reserves.
Est. cost: Low
Promote energy efficiency
Long-termEncourage residents to adopt energy-efficient practices and technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Est. cost: Low
Develop a heatwave response plan
Near-termCreate a community-based heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during periods of extreme heat.
Est. cost: Low
Install rainwater tanks
Long-termEncourage the installation of rainwater tanks to reduce stormwater runoff and provide a supplementary water source.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Calwell Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Calwell:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calwell in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Calwell may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Calwell has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.
What BAL rating applies to properties in Calwell?
BAL ratings in Calwell depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.
Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Calwell?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Calwell may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.
What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Calwell?
Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Australian Capital Territory fire authority for property-specific guidance.
What are the main climate risks in Calwell?
ClimateNest's suburb model rates Calwell's dominant climate risk as bushfire at 6/10 on a 0โ10 index, followed by extreme heat (5/10) and damaging wind (5/10). These are suburb-level averages โ an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Calwell.
What share of Calwell is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 8.9% of Calwell in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 62.8% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.
Is Calwell Safe from Climate Risk?
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