Bushfire Risk in Butterwick, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
4.0/10Butterwick has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- Butterwick has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Butterwick, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2321
- Region
- Coastal NSW
- Median property value
- $925,000
- Dominant hazard
- extreme heat (5/10)
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 21.2% of land (bushfire)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Butterwick, New South Wales, has a butterwick has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires. 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.
The area is designated as bushfire prone, requiring specific building standards for new constructions.
CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Butterwick, 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 Butterwick including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Butterwick sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 21.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 65.9% 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 Butterwick.
On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Butterwick scores 4 for bushfire risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Butterwick can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.
Butterwick located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2321), 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 Butterwick.
Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Butterwick 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 — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.
Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Butterwick, 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 Butterwick are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
A minor bushfire occurred near Butterwick, but was quickly contained by fire services.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing buildings.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement bushfire management strategies, including vegetation clearing, fire breaks, and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop Heatwave Response Plan
ImmediateEstablish a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.
Est. cost: Low
Promote Water Conservation
Long-termEncourage water conservation measures to reduce water stress during droughts and heatwaves, such as rainwater harvesting and water-efficient appliances.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Butterwick Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Butterwick:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butterwick in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Butterwick may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Butterwick 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 Butterwick?
BAL ratings in Butterwick 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 Butterwick?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Butterwick 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 Butterwick?
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 Butterwick?
ClimateNest's suburb model rates Butterwick's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 5/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by damaging wind (5/10) and severe storm (5/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Butterwick.
What share of Butterwick is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 21.2% of Butterwick in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 65.9% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.
Is Butterwick Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Butterwick, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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