๐Ÿ“ฎ Cheltenham postcode: 2119

Bushfire Risk in Cheltenham, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Cheltenham, New South Walesยท UNKNOWNยท 2119
The bushfire risk in Cheltenham is relatively low but not negligible. While the suburb is primarily residential, some areas border bushland, increasing the potential for ember attacks and grass fires during dry periods.Updated 11 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

The bushfire risk in Cheltenham is relatively low but not negligible. While the suburb is primarily residential, some areas border bushland, increasing the potential for ember attacks and grass fires during dry periods.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The bushfire risk in Cheltenham is relatively low but not negligible. While the suburb is primarily residential, some areas border bushland, increasing the potential for ember attacks and grass fires during dry periods.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Cheltenham, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2119
Region
Greater Sydney
Median property value
$1.6 million
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
18.1% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Cheltenham, New South Wales, has a the bushfire risk in cheltenham is relatively low but not negligible. while the suburb is primarily residential, some areas border bushland, increasing the potential for ember attacks and grass fires during dry periods. 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.

Ember attack is the primary bushfire risk in Cheltenham.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Cheltenham, 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 Cheltenham including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Cheltenham sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 18.1% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 75.6% 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 Cheltenham.

On ClimateNest's 0โ€“10 suburb hazard index, Cheltenham scores 2 for bushfire risk โ€” a lower exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Cheltenham can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Cheltenham located in Greater Sydney (postcode 2119), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $1.6 million, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Cheltenham.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Cheltenham is extreme heat (score 5/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+20% 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 Cheltenham, 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 Cheltenham are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandSome properties border bushland reserves
BAL Overlay / ZoneCheck NSW RFS website for bushfire prone areas
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Minor

Ember attacks from nearby bushfires caused minor property damage in some parts of Cheltenham.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade local drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Implement Heatwave Early Warning System

Immediate

Develop a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on staying safe.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Green Spaces

Long-term

Increase vegetation cover in urban areas to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness Education

Near-term

Conduct community workshops and provide resources on bushfire preparedness, including ember attack prevention.

Est. cost: Low

Install rainwater tanks

Long-term

Install rainwater tanks to capture rainwater for later use, reducing stormwater runoff and conserving water.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Hornsby Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 11 May 2026

Explore Cheltenham Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheltenham in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Cheltenham may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham?

BAL ratings in Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham?

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 Cheltenham?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Cheltenham's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 5/10 on a 0โ€“10 index, followed by damaging wind (4/10) and severe storm (4/10). These are suburb-level averages โ€” an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Cheltenham.

What share of Cheltenham is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.1% of Cheltenham in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 75.6% 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 Cheltenham Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cheltenham, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections