📮 Kotara postcode: 2289

Bushfire Risk in Kotara, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Kotara, New South Wales· City of Newcastle· 2289
Kotara has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk of bushfires.Updated 24 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

Kotara has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Kotara has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk of bushfires.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Kotara, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2289
Highest high-risk exposure
10.6% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Kotara, New South Wales, has a kotara has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk 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 bordering Blackbutt Reserve are at higher risk of bushfire.

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

Kotara sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 10.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 59.6% 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 Kotara.

Kotara (postcode 2289) 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 (10.6% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (7.7% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Kotara — 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 BushlandAdjacent to Blackbutt Reserve
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

Bushfire near Blackbutt Reserve threatened properties in Kotara.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: High

Implement Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Develop and implement a heat action plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Risk Mitigation

Near-term

Implement bushfire risk mitigation measures, such as vegetation management and fire breaks, in areas bordering bushland.

Est. cost: Medium

Community Awareness Programs

Long-term

Conduct community awareness programs to educate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

City of Newcastle
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 24 May 2026

Explore Kotara Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kotara in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Kotara 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 Kotara?

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

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 Kotara is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 10.6% of Kotara in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.6% 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 Kotara Safe from Climate Risk?

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