Bushfire Risk in Coonabarabran, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
7.0/10The area around Coonabarabran is prone to bushfires, particularly during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather, posing a significant threat.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- The area around Coonabarabran is prone to bushfires, particularly during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather, posing a significant threat.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Coonabarabran, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2357
- Region
- Regional NSW
- Median property value
- $550,000
- Dominant hazard
- extreme heat (6/10)
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 18.4% of land (bushfire)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Coonabarabran, New South Wales, has a the area around coonabarabran is prone to bushfires, particularly during dry periods. climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather, posing a significant threat. 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 Pilliga Forest to the west of Coonabarabran significantly increases the bushfire 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 Coonabarabran, 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 Coonabarabran including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Coonabarabran sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 18.4% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 56.7% 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 Coonabarabran.
On ClimateNest's 0โ10 suburb hazard index, Coonabarabran scores 5 for bushfire risk โ a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Coonabarabran can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.
Coonabarabran located in Regional NSW (postcode 2357), 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 Coonabarabran.
Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Coonabarabran 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 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 Coonabarabran, 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 Coonabarabran are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
A large bushfire burned through the Pilliga Forest, threatening Coonabarabran and surrounding communities.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termUpgrade drainage infrastructure and construct levees to protect low-lying areas from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
ImmediateImplement fuel reduction programs, improve firebreaks, and educate residents on bushfire safety.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop a Heatwave Management Plan
Near-termEstablish cooling centers, provide public health advice, and ensure access to water during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Promote Water Conservation
Long-termImplement water restrictions, encourage water-efficient landscaping, and invest in water recycling infrastructure.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Coonabarabran Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Coonabarabran:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coonabarabran in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Coonabarabran may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Coonabarabran 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 Coonabarabran?
BAL ratings in Coonabarabran 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 Coonabarabran?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Coonabarabran 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 Coonabarabran?
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 Coonabarabran?
ClimateNest's suburb model rates Coonabarabran's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 6/10 on a 0โ10 index, followed by bushfire (5/10) and damaging wind (4/10). These are suburb-level averages โ an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Coonabarabran.
What share of Coonabarabran is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.4% of Coonabarabran in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 56.7% 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 Coonabarabran Safe from Climate Risk?
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