📮 Woonona postcode: 2517

Bushfire Risk in Woonona, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Woonona, New South Wales· Wollongong· 2517
Bushfire risk in Woonona is moderate, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.Updated 30 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

Bushfire risk in Woonona is moderate, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Woonona is moderate, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Woonona, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2517
Highest high-risk exposure
20.5% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Woonona, New South Wales, has a bushfire risk in woonona is moderate, particularly in areas bordering bushland. 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 side of Woonona are more exposed to bushfire 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 Woonona, 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 Woonona including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Woonona sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 20.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 70.1% 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 Woonona.

Woonona (postcode 2517) 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 (20.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (6.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (4.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Woonona — 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 Woonona, but was quickly contained by firefighters.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Upgrade drainage infrastructure and construct flood barriers to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Implement a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation strategies, such as vegetation management and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Wollongong City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 30 May 2026

Explore Woonona Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Woonona in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Woonona 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 Woonona?

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

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 Woonona is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 20.5% of Woonona in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 70.1% 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 Woonona Safe from Climate Risk?

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