Is Macquarie Pass, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Macquarie Pass, New South Wales· Wingecarribee Shire Council
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 31 May 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Macquarie Pass faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its location within a valley and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding and riverine flooding.
Bushfire
The suburb is at a high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Heat
Macquarie Pass 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
2577
Highest high-risk exposure
26.1% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Macquarie Pass 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 Macquarie Pass'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 Macquarie Pass 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 Macquarie Pass including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Macquarie Pass (postcode 2577) 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 (26.1% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.3% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.9% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Macquarie Pass — 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

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to Morton National Park
BAL OverlayRFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Nearest WaterwayMacquarie Rivulet
Flood ZoneAreas adjacent to Macquarie Rivulet are prone to flooding.
Avg January Max26.5 °C

Historical Events

2020
Minor

Localized flooding occurred after a period of intense rainfall.

2019
Major

The Black Summer bushfires caused significant smoke haze and elevated fire danger in the region.

2013
Moderate

A bushfire near Morton National Park threatened the suburb, requiring residents to be on alert.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas, impacting some residential properties.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers.

Est. cost: Medium

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement regular hazard reduction burns and educate residents on bushfire safety measures.

Est. cost: Low

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to adopt water-saving practices to reduce strain on water resources during drier periods.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Wingecarribee Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 31 May 2026

Explore Macquarie Pass Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Macquarie Pass safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Macquarie Pass 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 Macquarie Pass?

The dominant hazard for Macquarie Pass 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 Macquarie Pass 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 Macquarie Pass?

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 Macquarie Pass?

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 Macquarie Pass.

What share of Macquarie Pass is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 26.1% of Macquarie Pass in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68% 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 Macquarie Pass Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Macquarie Pass, 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