Flood Risk in macarthur, ACT: 2026 Assessment

macarthur, Australian Capital Territory· UNKNOWN
Macarthur faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby waterways. Development patterns and stormwater management contribute to the risk profile.Updated 15 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Macarthur faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby waterways. Development patterns and stormwater management contribute to the risk profile.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Macarthur faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby waterways. Development patterns and stormwater management contribute to the risk profile.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
macarthur, ACT
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2904
Region
ACT
Median property value
$875,000
Dominant hazard
bushfire (6/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
6.1% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

macarthur, located in Australian Capital Territory, has a notable flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across Australian Capital Territory.

Historical flood events have primarily affected low-lying areas near the lake and drainage channels. Improved stormwater infrastructure is being implemented to reduce future risks.

Macarthur faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby waterways. Development patterns and stormwater management contribute to the risk profile.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

macarthur sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 4.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 79.1% 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 macarthur.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, macarthur scores 2 for flood risk — a lower exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in macarthur can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

macarthur (postcode 2904), is an Australian Capital Territory suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $875,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in macarthur.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in macarthur is bushfire (score 6/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+30% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

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

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayLake Tuggeranong
Elevation Range580-600m
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas adjacent to Lake Tuggeranong and stormwater channels

Historical Events

2010
Minor

Heavy rainfall caused minor flooding in low-lying areas near Lake Tuggeranong.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve stormwater infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Implement heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop a system to alert vulnerable residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on staying safe.

Est. cost: Low

Enhance bushfire preparedness

Near-term

Conduct community education programs on bushfire safety and implement vegetation management strategies.

Est. cost: Medium

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to conserve water through rebates and educational campaigns to reduce strain on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Increase urban green space

Long-term

Plant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

ACT Government
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 15 March 2026

Explore macarthur Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is macarthur at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, macarthur has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in macarthur?

Insurance costs for flood cover in macarthur depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in macarthur?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in macarthur. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in macarthur?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within macarthur typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

What are the main climate risks in macarthur?

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

What share of macarthur is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 6.1% of macarthur in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 64% 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 macarthur Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for macarthur, Australian Capital Territory, 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