📮 Maclean postcode: 2463

Bushfire Risk in Maclean, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Maclean, New South Wales· Clarence Valley· 2463
Maclean has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.Updated 7 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

Maclean has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Maclean has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Maclean, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2463
Highest high-risk exposure
15.4% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Maclean, New South Wales, has a maclean has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity 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.

Maclean is located near bushland areas, increasing the risk of bushfires. Residents should be aware of fire danger ratings and have a bushfire survival plan.

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

Maclean sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 15.4% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 59.5% 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 Maclean.

Maclean (postcode 2463) 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 (5.2% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Maclean — 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
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the surrounding region caused smoky conditions in Maclean and prompted evacuation warnings.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Create a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Sea Level Rise

Long-term

Assess the potential impacts of sea level rise on Maclean and develop strategies to adapt to these changes.

Est. cost: Medium

Upgrade Building Codes

Near-term

Incorporate climate resilience measures into building codes to ensure new construction is better prepared for extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Clarence Valley Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 7 March 2026

Explore Maclean Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maclean in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Maclean 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 Maclean?

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

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 Maclean is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.4% of Maclean in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.5% 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 Maclean Safe from Climate Risk?

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