Bushfire Risk in Woonona, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
4.2/10Bushfire 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
Historical Events
A bushfire near the Illawarra Escarpment threatened properties in Woonona, but was quickly contained by firefighters.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termUpgrade drainage infrastructure and construct flood barriers to protect properties from flooding.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop a Heatwave Management Plan
ImmediateImplement a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Strengthen Coastal Defenses
Long-termImplement coastal protection measures to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement bushfire mitigation strategies, such as vegetation management and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Woonona Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Woonona:
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?
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