Bushfire Risk in Coffs Harbour, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Bushfire risk in Coffs Harbour is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding residential zones. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can elevate the risk during bushfire season.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

Bushfire risk in Coffs Harbour is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding residential zones. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can elevate the risk during bushfire season.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Coffs Harbour is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding residential zones. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can elevate the risk during bushfire season.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2450
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
11.2% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, has a bushfire risk in coffs harbour is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding residential zones. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can elevate the risk during bushfire season. 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 adjacent to or near bushland are at higher risk of bushfire.

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

Coffs Harbour sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 11.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 68.3% 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 Coffs Harbour.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Coffs Harbour scores 4 for bushfire risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Coffs Harbour can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Coffs Harbour located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2450), 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 Coffs Harbour.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to Bushland0-500m in some areas
BAL Overlay / ZoneRefer to NSW RFS bushfire prone land maps.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

Bushfires threatened communities in the Coffs Harbour region, leading to evacuations and property damage.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Improve drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen coastal defenses

Long-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from sea level rise and coastal erosion, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: High

Implement heatwave early warning systems

Immediate

Develop and implement heatwave early warning systems to alert residents to impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Promote energy efficiency and renewable energy

Near-term

Encourage residents and businesses to adopt energy-efficient practices and invest in renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire preparedness programs

Immediate

Support community-based bushfire preparedness programs to educate residents on how to protect their properties and families from bushfires.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Coffs Harbour City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Coffs Harbour Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coffs Harbour in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour?

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 Coffs Harbour?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Coffs Harbour'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 Coffs Harbour.

What share of Coffs Harbour is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.2% of Coffs Harbour in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68.3% 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 Coffs Harbour Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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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 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections