๐Ÿ“ฎ Maclean postcode: 2463

Flood Risk in Maclean, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Maclean, New South Walesยท Clarence Valleyยท 2463
Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 7 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Maclean, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2463
Highest high-risk exposure
15.4% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Maclean, 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.

The Clarence River has a history of flooding in Maclean. Council maintains flood maps and provides information to residents.

Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood 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.

Maclean sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 80.4% 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 Maclean.

Maclean (postcode 2463) 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 bushfire (15.4% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.2% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Maclean โ€” 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

Nearest WaterwayClarence River
Elevation Range5-15m
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Clarence River to flood, impacting some properties in Maclean.

2013
Moderate

The Clarence River experienced moderate flooding, inundating low-lying areas of Maclean.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

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

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Sea Level Rise

Long-term

Assess the potential impacts of sea level rise on Maclean and develop strategies to adapt to these changes.

Est. cost: Medium

Upgrade Building Codes

Near-term

Incorporate climate resilience measures into building codes to ensure new construction is better prepared for extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Clarence Valley Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 7 March 2026

Explore Maclean Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maclean at risk of flooding?

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

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Maclean?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Maclean 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 Maclean?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Maclean. 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 Maclean?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Maclean 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 share of Maclean is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.4% of Maclean in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.5% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ€” individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Maclean Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Maclean, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections