Bushfire Risk in Melville, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Melville, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The bushfire risk in Melville is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to a higher frequency and intensity of bushfires.Updated 22 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

3.8/10

The bushfire risk in Melville is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to a higher frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The bushfire risk in Melville is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to a higher frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Melville, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2320
Highest high-risk exposure
8.4% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Melville, New South Wales, has a the bushfire risk in melville is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to a higher frequency and intensity 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.

Some areas of Melville are designated as bushfire prone. Residents should maintain their properties 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 Melville, 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 Melville including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Melville sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 7.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 77.6% 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 Melville.

Melville (postcode 2320) 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 (8.4% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (7.6% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (4.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Melville — 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 some bushland areas
BAL Overlay / ZoneCheck NSW RFS website for current bushfire prone land mapping
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

A bushfire near Melville caused some property damage and required evacuations.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Bushfire Management Strategies

Immediate

Clear vegetation around properties and develop community bushfire preparedness plans.

Est. cost: Low

Develop Heatwave Response Plans

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable residents during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Protect Coastal Areas

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures such as seawalls and beach nourishment to reduce erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 May 2026

Explore Melville Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Melville in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Melville 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 Melville?

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

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 Melville is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 8.4% of Melville in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 76.3% 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 Melville Safe from Climate Risk?

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