📮 Kiama Downs postcode: 2533

Bushfire Risk in Kiama Downs, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Kiama Downs, New South Wales· Kiama· 2533
The risk of bushfire in Kiama Downs is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire.Updated 18 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The risk of bushfire in Kiama Downs is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The risk of bushfire in Kiama Downs is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Kiama Downs, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2533
Highest high-risk exposure
12.7% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Kiama Downs, New South Wales, has a the risk of bushfire in kiama downs is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire. 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 in bushfire-prone areas should have a bushfire survival plan and maintain their properties to reduce the risk of fire.

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

Kiama Downs sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 10.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 80.9% 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 Kiama Downs.

Kiama Downs (postcode 2533) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are surface flood (12.7% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (10.8% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.3% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Kiama Downs — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandSome properties border bushland reserves.
BAL Overlay / ZoneNSW Rural Fire Service bushfire prone land map.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

Bushfires in the region threatened properties in Kiama Downs.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Near-term

Implement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to reduce the risk of coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Implement a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Create and maintain fire breaks around properties, and ensure that residents have a bushfire survival plan.

Est. cost: Low

Raise Awareness

Long-term

Educate the community about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Kiama Municipal Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 May 2026

Explore Kiama Downs Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kiama Downs in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Kiama Downs 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 Kiama Downs?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Kiama Downs 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 Kiama Downs?

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 share of Kiama Downs is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.7% of Kiama Downs in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 65.6% 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 Kiama Downs Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Kiama Downs, 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