Bushfire Risk in Melville, WA: 2026 Assessment

Melville, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
Bushfire risk in Melville is relatively low due to its urbanized nature and distance from large bushland areas. However, parks and reserves can still pose a localized risk.Updated 22 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

3.0/10

Bushfire risk in Melville is relatively low due to its urbanized nature and distance from large bushland areas. However, parks and reserves can still pose a localized risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Melville is relatively low due to its urbanized nature and distance from large bushland areas. However, parks and reserves can still pose a localized risk.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Melville, WA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
6156
Highest high-risk exposure
8% of land (surface flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Melville, Western Australia, has a bushfire risk in melville is relatively low due to its urbanized nature and distance from large bushland areas. however, parks and reserves can still pose a localized risk. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Western Australia fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Some areas adjacent to reserves 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 Melville, 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 Melville including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Melville sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 85% 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 Melville.

Melville (postcode 6156) 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 surface flood (8% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (7% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (3.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Melville — 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

Distance to Bushland500m to nearest reserve
BAL Overlay / ZoneDFES Bushfire Prone Areas Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Develop a comprehensive flood management plan

Near-term

Implement measures to reduce flood risk, such as improving drainage infrastructure and protecting natural floodplains.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement heatwave early warning systems

Immediate

Provide timely alerts to residents about impending heatwaves and offer guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen coastal defenses

Long-term

Invest in coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise.

Est. cost: High

Promote water conservation

Near-term

Encourage residents and businesses to use water efficiently to reduce pressure on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

City of Melville
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 March 2026

Explore Melville Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Melville in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Melville 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 Melville?

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

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 Western Australia fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Melville is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 8% of Melville in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 73.1% 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 Melville Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Melville, Western 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 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections