📮 Tarrawanna postcode: 2517

Bushfire Risk in Tarrawanna, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Tarrawanna, New South Wales· Wollongong· 2517
The suburb has a high bushfire risk due to its location near bushland areas. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.Updated 30 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

7.0/10

The suburb has a high bushfire risk due to its location near bushland areas. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The suburb has a high bushfire risk due to its location near bushland areas. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Tarrawanna, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2518
Highest high-risk exposure
9.8% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Tarrawanna, New South Wales, has a the suburb has a high bushfire risk due to its location near bushland areas. dry conditions and strong winds 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 on the western edge of Tarrawanna are at higher risk. Regular property maintenance is crucial.

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

Tarrawanna sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 6.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 80.7% 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 Tarrawanna.

Tarrawanna (postcode 2518) 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 (9.8% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (6.2% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Tarrawanna — 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 Illawarra Escarpment
BAL Overlay / ZoneRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

A bushfire near the Illawarra Escarpment threatened properties in Tarrawanna. Firefighters successfully contained the blaze.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Risk Mitigation

Immediate

Implement vegetation management programs and promote property maintenance to reduce bushfire fuel loads.

Est. cost: Low

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Develop a heatwave response plan and establish cooling centers to protect vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Low

Coastal Hazard Adaptation

Long-term

Monitor sea level rise and develop strategies to protect coastal infrastructure and communities.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

Wollongong City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 30 May 2026

Explore Tarrawanna Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tarrawanna in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Tarrawanna 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 Tarrawanna?

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

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 Tarrawanna is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 9.8% of Tarrawanna in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 68.4% 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 Tarrawanna Safe from Climate Risk?

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