Bushfire Risk in Debenham, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Debenham, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The area around Debenham has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions exacerbate this risk.Updated 10 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

The area around Debenham has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions exacerbate this risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The area around Debenham has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions exacerbate this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Debenham, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2446
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
11.9% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Debenham, New South Wales, has a the area around debenham has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. hot, dry conditions 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.

Prepare a bushfire survival plan.

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

Debenham sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 9.3% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 79.6% 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 Debenham.

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

Debenham located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2446), 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 Debenham.

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

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandVariable, depending on location within the suburb
BAL Overlay / ZoneCheck NSW RFS website
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2020
Major

Widespread bushfires affected the region, causing significant smoke haze.

2013
Moderate

Bushfires threatened the outskirts of the suburb.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems and implement flood barriers in vulnerable areas.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Create and maintain firebreaks, and ensure homes are well-protected.

Est. cost: Low

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a community heatwave action plan with cooling centers and outreach programs.

Est. cost: Low

Community Education

Long-term

Raise awareness about climate risks and adaptation strategies through workshops and information campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 May 2026

Explore Debenham Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Debenham in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Debenham 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 Debenham?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Debenham 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 Debenham?

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 Debenham?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Debenham'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 Debenham.

What share of Debenham is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.9% of Debenham in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 80.7% 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 Debenham Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Debenham, 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