📮 Sawtell postcode: 2452

Bushfire Risk in Sawtell, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Sawtell, New South Wales· City of Coffs Harbour· 2452
Bushfire risk in Sawtell is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are projected to elevate the risk of bushfires.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

Bushfire risk in Sawtell is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are projected to elevate the risk of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Sawtell is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are projected to elevate the risk of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Sawtell, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2452
Highest high-risk exposure
12% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Sawtell, New South Wales, has a bushfire risk in sawtell is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. drier conditions and higher temperatures are projected to elevate 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.

Residents in bushfire prone areas should 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 Sawtell, 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 Sawtell including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Sawtell sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 8.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 77.8% 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 Sawtell.

Sawtell (postcode 2452) 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 (12% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (8.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (8.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Sawtell — 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 BushlandSome properties border bushland reserves.
BAL Overlay / ZoneCheck NSW RFS website for current bushfire prone areas.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the region caused smoky conditions and heightened fire danger in Sawtell.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Invest in coastal protection measures to mitigate erosion and sea level rise impacts.

Est. cost: High

Promote Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Educate residents about bushfire risks and encourage them to develop bushfire survival plans.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

City of Coffs Harbour
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Sawtell Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sawtell in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Sawtell 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 Sawtell?

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

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 Sawtell is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12% of Sawtell in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 71.6% 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 Sawtell Safe from Climate Risk?

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