Bushfire Risk in Cleveland, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
4.0/10The risk of bushfires in Cleveland is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- The risk of bushfires in Cleveland is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Cleveland, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2530
- Region
- Coastal NSW
- Median property value
- $925,000
- Dominant hazard
- extreme heat (5/10)
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 14.7% of land (bushfire)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Cleveland, New South Wales, has a the risk of bushfires in cleveland is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. 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 bushland are at higher risk.
CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Cleveland, 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 Cleveland including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Cleveland sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 14.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 57.5% 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 Cleveland.
On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Cleveland scores 4 for bushfire risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Cleveland can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.
Cleveland located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2530), 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 Cleveland.
Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Cleveland 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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
A small bushfire occurred near the outskirts of Cleveland, but was quickly contained.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.
Est. cost: Medium
Implement a heatwave response plan
ImmediateDevelop a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach.
Est. cost: Low
Bushfire hazard reduction
Near-termConduct regular bushfire hazard reduction activities in areas surrounding Cleveland.
Est. cost: Medium
Coastal erosion monitoring
Long-termMonitor coastal areas for erosion and implement measures to protect vulnerable infrastructure.
Est. cost: High
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Cleveland Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Cleveland:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Cleveland may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
BAL ratings in Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
ClimateNest's suburb model rates Cleveland'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 Cleveland.
What share of Cleveland is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14.7% of Cleveland in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 57.5% 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 Cleveland Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cleveland, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections