Sweltering temperatures prompt release of new data naming NSW’s most bushfire-prone suburbs

Off the back of sweltering temperatures across New South Wales, new data has been released naming the top 20 suburbs most impacted by bushfires now, along with the locations to be most affected in the future.

Blue Mountains National Park comes in at number one currently, with Colo Vale in the Southern Highlands, and Booligal in the Riverina rounding out the top three, according to Groundsure ClimateIndex™ reports, available through InfoTrack.

Also making the Top 20 are popular Blue Mountains suburbs Kurrajong Heights (number 6), Blackheath (number 14), and Bilpin (number 13), and the Hawkesbury’s Lower Portland (number 19).

The data comes from the new Groundsure reports, designed specifically for conveyancers, lawyers and homebuyers in New South Wales. They help to identify climate risks impacting homes now and in 30 years’ time to ensure buyers are equipped to make informed property purchasing decisions.

The data shows the Blue Mountains National Park remains the top suburb affected by bushfires in 30 years – but several new locations make the list.

Malua Bay on the South Coast enters at number two, followed by the Southern Tablelands’ Araluen at number three, the far South Coast’s Moruya at five, and Lilli Pilli on the South Coast at six.

InfoTrack’s Global Head of Property John Ahern says with recent temperatures in the high 30s and 40s, and predictions of a hot and dry summer, bushfires were once again in focus.

“What’s significant is that the data shows high-risk suburbs emerging. Four of the top five suburbs on the most impacted list in three decades’ time are found in the State’s south, yet only one of those, Colo Vale, is listed as being impacted now. It gives us a good indication of bushfire risk hotspots now and decades ahead of time,” Mr Ahern said.

New South Wales homebuyers are encouraged to take advantage of the Groundsure ClimateIndex™ reports which evaluate bushfire, flooding, and coastal erosion risks for individual residences.

Groundsure CEO Dan Montagnani says they have used several criteria in evaluating future bushfire risk.

“The Groundsure Bushfire Calculator can meticulously evaluate and predict the bushfire risk of properties. It intelligently integrates critical factors such as historical wildfire patterns, lightning frequency, climate conditions, and proximity to bushfire-prone areas,” Mr Montagnani said.

“The report allows property lawyers and conveyancers to better inform their clients or buyers and that’s more important than ever with climate change impacting the prevalence and severity of bushfires in Australia.

Prospective homebuyers can search a property address via InfoTrackGO to purchase a Groundsure ClimateIndex™ for that residence.