Is Pimlico Island, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.5/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Pimlico 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 rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
- Bushfire
- Bushfire risk is relatively low on Pimlico Island due to its island geography and limited vegetation. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could increase the risk of grass fires.
- Heat
- Pimlico Island is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This will increase the risk of heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2478
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 11.5% of land (surface flood)
Climate Safety Analysis
Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island's climate safety include heat, flood, coastal. 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 Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Pimlico Island (postcode 2478) 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 (11.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (6.1% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (5.4% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Pimlico Island — 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
Renewed flooding of the Clarence River impacted Pimlico Island, though less severely than in 2019.
A prolonged heatwave in January 2020 resulted in high temperatures and heat stress on Pimlico Island.
Major flooding of the Clarence River caused widespread inundation and damage on Pimlico Island.
The Clarence River experienced moderate flooding, inundating low-lying areas of Pimlico Island.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termConstruct levees and seawalls to protect low-lying areas from flooding and coastal erosion.
Est. cost: High
Develop Heatwave Response Plan
ImmediateImplement a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Raise Home Foundations
Long-termElevate homes and businesses to reduce the risk of flood damage.
Est. cost: High
Install Rainwater Tanks
Near-termInstall rainwater tanks to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff.
Est. cost: Medium
Plant Native Vegetation
Long-termPlant native vegetation along the coastline to stabilize the soil and reduce erosion.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Pimlico Island Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Pimlico Island:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pimlico Island safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island?
The dominant hazard for Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island?
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 Pimlico Island?
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 Pimlico Island.
What share of Pimlico Island is exposed to high surface flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.5% of Pimlico Island in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 76.9% 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 Pimlico Island Safe from Climate Risk?
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Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections