Is Raleigh, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Raleigh, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 1 May 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Raleigh faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Bushfire
Raleigh has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Heat
Raleigh is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
Postcode
2454
Highest high-risk exposure
12.4% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Raleigh 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 Raleigh's climate safety include heat, flood, coastal. 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Raleigh (postcode 2454) 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 (12.4% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (5.2% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (4.3% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Raleigh — 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 Overlayhttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Nearest WaterwayBellinger River
Flood ZoneLow to Moderate
Avg January Max28.5 °C

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the region caused smoky conditions and increased fire danger in Raleigh.

2017
Moderate

Raleigh experienced a prolonged heatwave with temperatures exceeding 35°C for several days.

2013
Moderate

The Bellinger River experienced moderate flooding, impacting low-lying areas of Raleigh.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Action Plan

Immediate

Develop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Coastal Management

Long-term

Implement coastal management strategies to protect against sea level rise and storm surges.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

Bellingen Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 May 2026

Explore Raleigh Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

The dominant hazard for Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh.

What share of Raleigh is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.4% of Raleigh in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 66.1% 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 Raleigh Safe from Climate Risk?

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