📮 The Freshwater postcode: 2096

Bushfire Risk in The Freshwater, NSW: 2026 Assessment

The Freshwater, New South Wales· Northern Beaches· 2096
The Freshwater has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 4 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The Freshwater has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The Freshwater has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
stable
Suburb
The Freshwater, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2466
Highest high-risk exposure
21.5% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

The Freshwater, New South Wales, has a the freshwater has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood 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.

Areas adjacent to Garigal National Park are considered bushfire prone.

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

The Freshwater sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 21.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 62.5% 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 The Freshwater.

The Freshwater (postcode 2466) 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 (21.5% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (12.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (4.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across The Freshwater — 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 BushlandWithin 1km
BAL Overlay / ZoneRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

A small bushfire broke out near Garigal National Park, but was quickly contained.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve stormwater drainage

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flash flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Protect coastal ecosystems

Near-term

Restore and protect coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and dunes to provide natural protection against coastal erosion and storm surges.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Raise awareness of climate risks

Long-term

Educate residents about the risks of climate change and how to prepare for extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen building codes

Long-term

Update building codes to ensure that new buildings are more resilient to climate change impacts, such as flooding and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Northern Beaches Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 4 May 2026

Explore The Freshwater Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Freshwater in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in The Freshwater 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 The Freshwater?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of The Freshwater 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 The Freshwater?

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 The Freshwater is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 21.5% of The Freshwater in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 62.5% 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 The Freshwater Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for The Freshwater, 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