Bushfire Risk in Forbesdale, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Forbesdale, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Forbesdale has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity.Updated 7 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

Forbesdale has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Forbesdale has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Forbesdale, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2422
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
19.6% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Forbesdale, New South Wales, has a forbesdale has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. climate change is projected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity. 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.

Residents should maintain their properties to reduce fuel loads.

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

Forbesdale sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 19.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 58.2% 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 Forbesdale.

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

Forbesdale located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2422), 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 Forbesdale.

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

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to some bushland areas
BAL Overlay / ZoneCheck NSW RFS website for current bushfire prone areas
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the region caused smoke haze and elevated fire danger.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: High

Implement Heatwave Early Warning System

Immediate

Develop a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on staying safe.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Risk Reduction Programs

Near-term

Implement programs to reduce fuel loads and educate residents on bushfire safety.

Est. cost: Medium

Community Education on Climate Risks

Long-term

Raise awareness of climate risks and adaptation measures through community workshops and information campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 7 May 2026

Explore Forbesdale Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forbesdale in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Forbesdale 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 Forbesdale?

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

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 Forbesdale?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Forbesdale'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 Forbesdale.

What share of Forbesdale is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.6% of Forbesdale in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 58.2% 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 Forbesdale Safe from Climate Risk?

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