Bushfire Risk in Cardwell, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Cardwell, Queensland· UNKNOWN
The risk of bushfires in Cardwell is moderate, with bushland areas surrounding the town. Drier conditions and higher temperatures can increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 7 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The risk of bushfires in Cardwell is moderate, with bushland areas surrounding the town. Drier conditions and higher temperatures can increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The risk of bushfires in Cardwell is moderate, with bushland areas surrounding the town. Drier conditions and higher temperatures can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Cardwell, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4849
Region
Regional QLD
Median property value
$450,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (7/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
19.7% of land (riverine flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Cardwell, Queensland, has a the risk of bushfires in cardwell is moderate, with bushland areas surrounding the town. drier conditions and higher temperatures 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 Queensland fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Areas to the west and south of Cardwell are designated as 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 Cardwell, 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 Cardwell including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Cardwell sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 12.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 60.9% 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 Cardwell.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Cardwell scores 4 for bushfire risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Cardwell can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Cardwell located in Regional QLD (postcode 4849), is a Queensland suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $450,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Cardwell.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Cardwell is extreme heat (score 7/10), with elevated exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+35% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Cardwell, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Cardwell are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to town
BAL Overlay / ZoneQueensland Bushfire Prone Area Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall.

Est. cost: High

Strengthen coastal defenses

Long-term

Construct seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against sea level rise and storm surge.

Est. cost: Very High

Develop a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire mitigation

Near-term

Undertake controlled burns and vegetation management to reduce the risk of bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 7 March 2026

Explore Cardwell Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cardwell in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Cardwell 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 Cardwell?

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

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 Queensland fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What are the main climate risks in Cardwell?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Cardwell's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 7/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by damaging wind (5/10) and severe storm (5/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Cardwell.

What share of Cardwell is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.7% of Cardwell in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 73.6% 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 Cardwell Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cardwell, Queensland, 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