Bushfire Risk in Crawford River, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Crawford River, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The area around Crawford River has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.Updated 8 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

7.0/10

The area around Crawford River has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The area around Crawford River has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Crawford River, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2423
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
10.3% of land (riverine flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Crawford River, New South Wales, has a the area around crawford river has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires. 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 area is designated as bushfire prone, requiring specific building standards for new constructions.

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

Crawford River sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 9.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 84.4% 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 Crawford River.

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

Crawford River located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2423), 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 Crawford River.

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

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

A severe bushfire impacted the region, causing property damage and evacuations.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Vegetation Management

Immediate

Implement vegetation management strategies to reduce bushfire fuel loads.

Est. cost: Low

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Develop a community heatwave plan and provide cooling centers for vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Low

Emergency Response Planning

Immediate

Enhance emergency response plans and evacuation procedures for flood and bushfire events.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

MidCoast Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 8 May 2026

Explore Crawford River Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crawford River in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Crawford River 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 Crawford River?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Crawford River 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 Crawford River?

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 Crawford River?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Crawford River'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 Crawford River.

What share of Crawford River is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 10.3% of Crawford River in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 72.4% 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 Crawford River Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Crawford River, 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