Is Kosciuszko, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Kosciuszko, New South Wales· Snowy Monaro Regional
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 31 May 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.5/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Kosciuszko faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall and snowmelt. The mountainous terrain can exacerbate runoff, increasing flood potential in lower-lying areas.
Bushfire
The bushfire risk in Kosciuszko is high due to the extensive surrounding bushland and dry conditions during summer. Increased temperatures and prolonged droughts contribute to heightened fire danger.
Heat
Kosciuszko experiences moderate heat risk, particularly during summer months. While not as extreme as lower-altitude regions, increasing temperatures can still impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
Postcode
2627
Highest high-risk exposure
15.4% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Kosciuszko in New South Wales has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Key factors affecting Kosciuszko's climate safety include bushfire. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.

Climate safety for property in Kosciuszko is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.

For a complete property-specific climate safety report for Kosciuszko including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Kosciuszko (postcode 2627) 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 bushfire (15.4% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (8.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Kosciuszko — 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 BushlandSurrounded by extensive bushland
BAL OverlayAvailable from NSW Rural Fire Service
Nearest WaterwaySnowy River
Flood ZoneVariable, depending on location relative to waterways and terrain
Avg January Max22 °C

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

A prolonged heatwave in the summer of 2020 put stress on the alpine ecosystem and increased the risk of bushfires.

2019
Major

The 2019-2020 bushfires had a significant impact on Kosciuszko National Park, burning large areas of vegetation and threatening wildlife.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in some areas of Kosciuszko National Park, disrupting access and damaging infrastructure.

2003
Major

The 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires also impacted Kosciuszko National Park, causing significant damage to the ecosystem.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Bushfire Management

Immediate

Implement fuel reduction programs, maintain fire breaks, and enhance community education on bushfire preparedness.

Est. cost: Medium

Enhance Flood Defenses

Near-term

Upgrade drainage infrastructure, construct flood levees, and implement early warning systems to reduce the impact of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water-efficient practices in homes and businesses to reduce water stress during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Protect Vulnerable Ecosystems

Long-term

Implement measures to protect alpine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change, such as reducing grazing pressure and controlling invasive species.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 31 May 2026

Explore Kosciuszko Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kosciuszko safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Kosciuszko has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.

Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in Kosciuszko?

The dominant hazard for Kosciuszko depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.

How does Kosciuszko compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?

Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across New South Wales suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Kosciuszko?

Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.

What climate projections should I know for Kosciuszko?

Key projections for New South Wales from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for Kosciuszko.

What share of Kosciuszko is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.4% of Kosciuszko in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 75.2% 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 Kosciuszko Safe from Climate Risk?

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