Bushfire Risk in Stawell, VIC: 2026 Assessment
Bushfire Risk Score
6.0/10The area around Stawell is prone to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry summer months. The proximity to bushland increases the risk to properties and infrastructure.
Key Facts
- Bushfire Risk
- The area around Stawell is prone to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry summer months. The proximity to bushland increases the risk to properties and infrastructure.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Stawell, VIC
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 3380
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 10.3% of land (riverine flood)
Bushfire Risk Analysis
Stawell, Victoria, has a the area around stawell is prone to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry summer months. the proximity to bushland increases the risk to properties and infrastructure. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Victoria fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.
Residents should maintain firebreaks and have evacuation plans in place.
CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Stawell, 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 Stawell including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.
Stawell sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 8.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 72.2% 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 Stawell.
Stawell (postcode 3380) 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 riverine flood (10.3% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (8.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.9% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Stawell — 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
The Black Saturday bushfires had a significant impact on Victoria, with Stawell experiencing heightened fire risk and community concern.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termUpgrade drainage infrastructure and implement flood barriers to protect properties from rising floodwaters.
Est. cost: Medium
Bushfire Preparedness Programs
ImmediateImplement community education programs on bushfire preparedness, including evacuation planning and property maintenance.
Est. cost: Low
Heatwave Early Warning System
Near-termDevelop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert vulnerable populations and provide guidance on staying safe during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Green Infrastructure Development
Long-termIncrease green spaces and tree cover to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Stawell Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Stawell:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stawell in a bushfire prone area?
Parts of Stawell may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Stawell 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 Stawell?
BAL ratings in Stawell 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 Stawell?
Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Stawell 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 Stawell?
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 Victoria fire authority for property-specific guidance.
What share of Stawell is exposed to high riverine flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 10.3% of Stawell in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 63.6% 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 Stawell Safe from Climate Risk?
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