📮 Thirlmere postcode: 2572

Bushfire Risk in Thirlmere, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Thirlmere, New South Wales· Wollondilly· 2572
Thirlmere faces a high risk of bushfires due to its location surrounded by bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to exacerbate bushfire risk.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

7.0/10

Thirlmere faces a high risk of bushfires due to its location surrounded by bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to exacerbate bushfire risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Thirlmere faces a high risk of bushfires due to its location surrounded by bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to exacerbate bushfire risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Thirlmere, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2572
Highest high-risk exposure
12.6% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Thirlmere, New South Wales, has a thirlmere faces a high risk of bushfires due to its location surrounded by bushland. drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to exacerbate bushfire 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.

The area is designated as bushfire prone, requiring specific building standards for new developments.

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

Thirlmere sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 9.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 63% 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 Thirlmere.

Thirlmere (postcode 2572) 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 (12.6% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (11.7% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (9.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Thirlmere — 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 BushlandSurrounded by bushland
BAL Overlay / ZoneRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

The 2019-2020 bushfires significantly impacted the region, with widespread smoke and some property damage in the Thirlmere area.

2013
Moderate

A bushfire near Thirlmere caused road closures and required firefighting efforts to protect properties.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and improve drainage systems to reduce flood risk in vulnerable areas.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement regular bushfire hazard reduction programs and educate residents on bushfire safety.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Management Plan

Near-term

Develop a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Water Conservation Measures

Long-term

Promote water conservation measures to reduce water stress during periods of drought.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Wollondilly Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Thirlmere Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thirlmere in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Thirlmere 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 Thirlmere?

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

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 Thirlmere is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.6% of Thirlmere in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 80.1% 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 Thirlmere Safe from Climate Risk?

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