๐Ÿ“ฎ Ashtonfield postcode: 2323

Bushfire Risk in Ashtonfield, SA: 2026 Assessment

Ashtonfield, South Australiaยท Maitlandยท 2323
Ashtonfield faces a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.Updated 22 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

Ashtonfield faces a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Ashtonfield faces a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Ashtonfield, SA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
5137
Region
Regional SA
Median property value
$375,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (6/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
18.5% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Ashtonfield, South Australia, has a ashtonfield faces a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The South Australia fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

The western and southern edges of Ashtonfield border significant bushland areas, increasing the risk of bushfire spread.

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

Ashtonfield sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 18.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 66.9% 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 Ashtonfield.

On ClimateNest's 0โ€“10 suburb hazard index, Ashtonfield scores 5 for bushfire risk โ€” a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Ashtonfield can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Ashtonfield located in Regional SA (postcode 5137), is a South Australia suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $375,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Ashtonfield.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Ashtonfield is extreme heat (score 6/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+25% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look โ€” the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Ashtonfield, 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 Ashtonfield are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to bushland
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

Bushfires threatened communities in the Hunter region, including Ashtonfield. Firefighters battled blazes in nearby bushland, preventing significant property damage.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in flood mitigation infrastructure, such as levees and drainage improvements, to protect properties from inundation.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire prevention strategies, such as vegetation management and community education programs, to reduce the risk of bushfire damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Develop a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during periods of extreme heat. This includes establishing cooling centers and providing public health advice.

Est. cost: Low

Home Insulation

Long-term

Improve home insulation to reduce energy consumption and keep homes cooler during summer and warmer during winter.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Maitland City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 May 2026

Explore Ashtonfield Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashtonfield in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Ashtonfield 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 Ashtonfield?

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

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 South Australia fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What are the main climate risks in Ashtonfield?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Ashtonfield's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 6/10 on a 0โ€“10 index, followed by bushfire (5/10) and damaging wind (4/10). These are suburb-level averages โ€” an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Ashtonfield.

What share of Ashtonfield is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.5% of Ashtonfield in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 66.9% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ€” individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Ashtonfield Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Ashtonfield, South Australia, 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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections