Is Maclean, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.5/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- 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.
- Bushfire
- Maclean has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.
- Heat
- Maclean experiences hot summers, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2463
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 15.4% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
Maclean 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 Maclean'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 Maclean 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 Maclean including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
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 — 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 caused the Clarence River to flood, impacting some properties in Maclean.
Bushfires in the surrounding region caused smoky conditions in Maclean and prompted evacuation warnings.
A severe thunderstorm caused localized flooding and power outages in Maclean.
The Clarence River experienced moderate flooding, inundating low-lying areas of Maclean.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement bushfire mitigation measures, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop Heatwave Response Plan
ImmediateCreate a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Low
Plan for Sea Level Rise
Long-termAssess the potential impacts of sea level rise on Maclean and develop strategies to adapt to these changes.
Est. cost: Medium
Upgrade Building Codes
Near-termIncorporate climate resilience measures into building codes to ensure new construction is better prepared for extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Maclean Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Maclean:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maclean safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Maclean 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 Maclean?
The dominant hazard for Maclean 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 Maclean 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 Maclean?
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 Maclean?
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 Maclean.
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 — 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.
What A$69 could save you from
*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA
Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections