Bushfire Risk in Balgownie, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
4.2/10Balgownie has a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- Balgownie has a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Balgownie, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2519
- Region
- Coastal NSW
- Median property value
- $925,000
- Dominant hazard
- extreme heat (5/10)
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 22.2% of land (bushfire)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Balgownie, New South Wales, has a balgownie has a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The New South Wales fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.
Properties bordering the escarpment are at higher risk. Regular property maintenance is essential.
CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Balgownie, 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 Balgownie including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Balgownie sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 22.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 54.5% 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 Balgownie.
On ClimateNest's 0โ10 suburb hazard index, Balgownie scores 4 for bushfire risk โ a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Balgownie can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.
Balgownie located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2519), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $925,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Balgownie.
Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Balgownie is extreme heat (score 5/10), 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 Balgownie, extreme heat 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 Balgownie are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
A bushfire near the Illawarra Escarpment threatened properties in Balgownie, but was quickly contained by firefighters.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in flood mitigation infrastructure, such as levees and drainage improvements, to protect properties from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Reduce Bushfire Risk
Near-termImplement bushfire management strategies, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs, to reduce the risk of bushfires.
Est. cost: Medium
Prepare for Heatwaves
ImmediateDevelop a heatwave plan and provide cooling centers for vulnerable populations to reduce the health impacts of heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Plan for Sea Level Rise
Long-termIncorporate sea level rise projections into coastal planning and development decisions to ensure that new development is resilient to coastal hazards.
Est. cost: High
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Balgownie Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Balgownie:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balgownie in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Balgownie may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Balgownie 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 Balgownie?
BAL ratings in Balgownie 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 Balgownie?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Balgownie 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 Balgownie?
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 New South Wales fire authority for property-specific guidance.
What are the main climate risks in Balgownie?
ClimateNest's suburb model rates Balgownie's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 5/10 on a 0โ10 index, followed by damaging wind (5/10) and severe storm (5/10). These are suburb-level averages โ an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Balgownie.
What share of Balgownie is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 22.2% of Balgownie in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 54.5% 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 Balgownie Safe from Climate Risk?
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