Bushfire Risk in The Freshwater, QLD: 2026 Assessment

The Freshwater, Queensland
Lower bushfire risk — seasonal risk varies by vegetation and dry periodsUpdated 28 June 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

2.1/10

Lower bushfire risk — seasonal risk varies by vegetation and dry periods

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Lower bushfire risk — seasonal risk varies by vegetation and dry periods
Trend
increasing
Suburb
The Freshwater, QLD
Overall Risk
Moderate
Postcode
4870
Highest high-risk exposure
15.5% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

The Freshwater, Queensland, has a lower bushfire risk — seasonal risk varies by vegetation and dry periods 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.

The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) system under Australian Standard AS 3959 determines construction requirements for properties in The Freshwater based on their proximity to vegetation and predicted fire intensity. BAL ratings range from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ (Flame Zone).

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. 15.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 57.8% 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 4870) 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 (15.5% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (12.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.8% 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.

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 moderate 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 Queensland fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of The Freshwater is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.5% of The Freshwater in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 57.8% 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, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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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