Flood Risk in Ashby Island, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Ashby Island, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Ashby Island is at a high risk of flooding due to its low elevation and proximity to the Clarence River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating the risk.Updated 4 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

Ashby Island is at a high risk of flooding due to its low elevation and proximity to the Clarence River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating the risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Ashby Island is at a high risk of flooding due to its low elevation and proximity to the Clarence River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating the risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Ashby Island, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2463
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
12.9% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Ashby Island, located in New South Wales, 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 New South Wales.

Historical flood data indicates frequent inundation of low-lying areas.

Ashby Island is at a high risk of flooding due to its low elevation and proximity to the Clarence River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating the risk.

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.

Ashby Island sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 6.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 77.2% 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 Ashby Island.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Ashby Island scores 4 for flood risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Ashby Island can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Ashby Island located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2463), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $925,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Ashby Island.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Ashby Island is extreme heat (score 5/10), 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 Ashby Island, extreme heat 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 Ashby Island are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayClarence River
Elevation Range0-5 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationHigh Risk

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding and riverine flooding on Ashby Island.

2013
Moderate

Major flooding of the Clarence River caused widespread inundation on Ashby Island.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in levees, seawalls, and improved drainage systems to protect against flooding.

Est. cost: High

Develop Heat Action Plan

Near-term

Implement a heat action plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as vegetation management and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Plan for Coastal Retreat

Long-term

Develop a long-term plan for managed retreat from areas at high risk of coastal erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: Very High

Council & Emergency Services

Clarence Valley Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 4 May 2026

Explore Ashby Island Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashby Island at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Ashby Island 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 Ashby Island?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Ashby Island 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 Ashby Island?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Ashby Island. 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 Ashby Island?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Ashby Island 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 Ashby Island?

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

What share of Ashby Island is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.9% of Ashby Island in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 79.8% 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 Ashby Island Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Ashby Island, New South Wales, 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