Bushfire Risk in Goulburn, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Goulburn, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The bushfire risk in Goulburn is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding the town. Hot, dry summers and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 22 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The bushfire risk in Goulburn is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding the town. Hot, dry summers and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The bushfire risk in Goulburn is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding the town. Hot, dry summers and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Goulburn, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2580
Region
Regional
Median property value
$500,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
14.2% of land (riverine flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Goulburn, New South Wales, has a the bushfire risk in goulburn is moderate, with areas of bushland surrounding the town. hot, dry summers and strong winds can increase the likelihood 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.

Properties adjacent to or near bushland are at higher 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 Goulburn, 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 Goulburn including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Goulburn sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 9.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 81.3% 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 Goulburn.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Goulburn scores 3 for bushfire risk — a lower exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Goulburn can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Goulburn located in Regional (postcode 2580), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $500,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Goulburn.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Goulburn is extreme heat (score 5/10), 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 — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Goulburn, 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 Goulburn are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandWithin 1km of town boundaries
BAL Overlay / ZoneRefer to NSW RFS bushfire prone land maps.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

Bushfires near Goulburn threatened properties and required firefighting efforts.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

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

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, including vegetation clearing, fire breaks, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Create a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Implement water conservation measures to reduce water demand and ensure water security during periods of drought.

Est. cost: Low

Upgrade Infrastructure Resilience

Long-term

Ensure that critical infrastructure, such as power grids and transportation networks, is resilient to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 March 2026

Explore Goulburn Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Goulburn in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Goulburn 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 Goulburn?

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

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 Goulburn?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Goulburn's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 5/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by damaging wind (4/10) and severe storm (4/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Goulburn.

What share of Goulburn is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14.2% of Goulburn in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 59.2% 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 Goulburn Safe from Climate Risk?

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