Bushfire Risk in Scarborough, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Scarborough, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The bushfire risk in Scarborough is relatively high due to the presence of nearby bushland and vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the fire season can exacerbate the risk.Updated 2 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

The bushfire risk in Scarborough is relatively high due to the presence of nearby bushland and vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the fire season can exacerbate the risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The bushfire risk in Scarborough is relatively high due to the presence of nearby bushland and vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the fire season can exacerbate the risk.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Scarborough, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2515
Highest high-risk exposure
17.7% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Scarborough, New South Wales, has a the bushfire risk in scarborough is relatively high due to the presence of nearby bushland and vegetation. hot, dry conditions during the fire season can exacerbate the risk. 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 the national park are at higher risk.

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

Scarborough sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 17.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 64% 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 Scarborough.

Scarborough (postcode 2515) 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 (17.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (13.9% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Scarborough — 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 Royal National Park
BAL Overlay / ZoneRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the Royal National Park caused smoke haze and elevated fire danger in Scarborough.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risks, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire management strategies, including vegetation clearing and community education programs.

Est. cost: Low

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Low

Coastal Management Strategy

Long-term

Develop a long-term coastal management strategy to address erosion and sea level rise.

Est. cost: High

Community Awareness Programs

Near-term

Educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures through community workshops and online resources.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 April 2026

Explore Scarborough Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scarborough in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Scarborough 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 Scarborough?

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

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 Scarborough is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.7% of Scarborough in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 64% 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 Scarborough Safe from Climate Risk?

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