Bushfire Risk in Cooks Gap, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Cooks Gap, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Cooks Gap has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.Updated 23 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

7.0/10

Cooks Gap has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Cooks Gap has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Cooks Gap, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2850
Region
Regional NSW
Median property value
$550,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (6/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
18.3% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Cooks Gap, New South Wales, has a cooks gap has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk. 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.

Consult the NSW Rural Fire Service for bushfire safety guidelines.

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

Cooks Gap sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 18.3% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 59.7% 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 Cooks Gap.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Cooks Gap scores 5 for bushfire risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Cooks Gap can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Cooks Gap located in Regional NSW (postcode 2850), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $550,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Cooks Gap.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Cooks Gap is extreme heat (score 6/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+25% 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 Cooks Gap, 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 Cooks Gap are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to bushland areas
BAL Overlay / ZoneRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

Major bushfires impacted the region surrounding Cooks Gap, causing significant property damage and environmental harm.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Develop a Bushfire Management Plan

Immediate

Create a comprehensive bushfire management plan for your property, including clearing vegetation, maintaining firebreaks, and having an evacuation plan.

Est. cost: Low

Improve Home Cooling and Energy Efficiency

Near-term

Install energy-efficient air conditioning, insulation, and window coverings to reduce heat stress during heatwaves and lower energy consumption.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Flood Mitigation Measures

Near-term

Install flood barriers, improve drainage around your property, and elevate electrical systems to reduce flood damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Participate in Community Climate Resilience Programs

Long-term

Engage with local community groups and government initiatives to build climate resilience and preparedness.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 23 May 2026

Explore Cooks Gap Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cooks Gap in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Cooks Gap 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 Cooks Gap?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Cooks Gap 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 Cooks Gap?

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 Cooks Gap?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Cooks Gap's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 6/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by bushfire (5/10) and damaging wind (4/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Cooks Gap.

What share of Cooks Gap is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.3% of Cooks Gap in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.7% 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 Cooks Gap Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cooks Gap, 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 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections