Is Macksville, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.8/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Macksville faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Nambucca River and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
- Bushfire
- Bushfire risk in Macksville is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a threat during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
- Heat
- Macksville experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected. This can impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2447
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 11.4% of land (surface flood)
Climate Safety Analysis
Macksville in New South Wales 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 Macksville's climate safety include flood, bushfire. 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 Macksville 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 Macksville including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Macksville (postcode 2447) 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 (11.4% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (9.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Macksville — 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
Historical Events
Heavy rainfall led to flooding in low-lying areas of Macksville.
Severe bushfires impacted the region surrounding Macksville, causing significant property damage and evacuations.
A severe storm caused flash flooding and property damage in Macksville.
Major flooding of the Nambucca River caused widespread damage in Macksville.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Upgrade Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in improved flood defenses, such as levees and drainage systems, to protect properties and infrastructure from increased flood risk.
Est. cost: High
Implement Bushfire Management Plans
Near-termDevelop and implement comprehensive bushfire management plans, including vegetation management, fire breaks, and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop Heatwave Response Plan
ImmediateEstablish a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Low
Coastal Erosion Mitigation
Long-termImplement coastal erosion mitigation measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to protect properties and infrastructure from sea level rise and storm surge.
Est. cost: High
Improve Building Codes
Near-termUpdate building codes to ensure new construction is resilient to climate change impacts, including flood, bushfire, and heat risks.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Macksville Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Macksville:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macksville safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Macksville 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 Macksville?
The dominant hazard for Macksville 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 Macksville 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 New South Wales suburbs.
Should I be concerned about buying property in Macksville?
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 Macksville?
Key projections for New South Wales 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 Macksville.
What share of Macksville is exposed to high surface flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.4% of Macksville in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 71.3% 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 Macksville Safe from Climate Risk?
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