Is macarthur, ACT Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

macarthur, Australian Capital Territory· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 15 Mar 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.2/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
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.
Bushfire
The bushfire risk in Macarthur is moderate due to its proximity to grasslands and some wooded areas. While not directly surrounded by dense forest, ember attack and grassfires pose a threat during dry periods.
Heat
Macarthur experiences a notable risk from heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days projected. Vulnerable populations are particularly at risk.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — severe thunderstorms in warmer months
Postcode
2904
Region
ACT
Median property value
$875,000
Dominant hazard
bushfire (6/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
6.1% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

macarthur in Australian Capital Territory has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Key factors affecting macarthur's climate safety include heat, flood. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.

Climate safety for property in macarthur is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.

For a complete property-specific climate safety report for macarthur including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

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

Distance to BushlandApproximately 2km to nearest grassland
BAL OverlayACT Emergency Services Agency Bushfire Overlay
Nearest WaterwayLake Tuggeranong
Flood ZoneAreas adjacent to Lake Tuggeranong and stormwater channels
Avg January Max28.5 °C

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

Prolonged heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C impacted vulnerable residents.

2018
Moderate

Severe thunderstorm with heavy rainfall caused localized flooding in parts of Macarthur.

2010
Minor

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

2003
Major

The 2003 Canberra bushfires impacted the region, with smoke and ash affecting Macarthur.

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 safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. macarthur has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.

Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in macarthur?

The dominant hazard for macarthur depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.

How does macarthur compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?

Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across Australian Capital Territory suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in macarthur?

Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.

What climate projections should I know for macarthur?

Key projections for Australian Capital Territory from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for macarthur.

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