Bushfire Risk in East Kempsey, NSW: 2026 Assessment

East Kempsey, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The risk of bushfires in East Kempsey is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a potential threat during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.Updated 18 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The risk of bushfires in East Kempsey is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a potential threat during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The risk of bushfires in East Kempsey is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a potential threat during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
East Kempsey, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2440
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
22% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

East Kempsey, New South Wales, has a the risk of bushfires in east kempsey is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a potential threat during dry periods. climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather. 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 East Kempsey, 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 East Kempsey including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

East Kempsey sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 22% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 69.3% 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 East Kempsey.

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

East Kempsey located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2440), 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 East Kempsey.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in East Kempsey 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 East Kempsey, 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 East Kempsey 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/map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the surrounding region caused smoky conditions and prompted evacuation warnings for some residents.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees, improved drainage systems, and flood-proofing of buildings.

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns, vegetation clearing, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Near-term

Create a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing public health advice.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Emergency Response Capacity

Immediate

Ensure that emergency services are adequately equipped and trained to respond to climate-related disasters.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Kempsey Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 May 2026

Explore East Kempsey Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Kempsey in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in East Kempsey 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 East Kempsey?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of East Kempsey 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 East Kempsey?

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 East Kempsey?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates East Kempsey'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 East Kempsey.

What share of East Kempsey is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 22% of East Kempsey in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 69.3% 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 East Kempsey Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for East Kempsey, 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