Flood Risk in Pimlico Island, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Pimlico Island, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
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.Updated 13 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

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.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
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.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Pimlico Island, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2478
Highest high-risk exposure
11.5% of land (surface flood)

Flood Risk Analysis

Pimlico Island, 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.

Pimlico Island is located within a known floodplain of the Clarence River.

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.

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.

Pimlico Island sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 6.1% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 83.4% 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 Pimlico Island.

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

Nearest WaterwayClarence River
Elevation Range0-5 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationHigh Risk

Historical Events

2022
Moderate

Renewed flooding of the Clarence River impacted Pimlico Island, though less severely than in 2019.

2019
Major

Major flooding of the Clarence River caused widespread inundation and damage on Pimlico Island.

2013
Moderate

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

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and seawalls to protect low-lying areas from flooding and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Implement a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Raise Home Foundations

Long-term

Elevate homes and businesses to reduce the risk of flood damage.

Est. cost: High

Install Rainwater Tanks

Near-term

Install rainwater tanks to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff.

Est. cost: Medium

Plant Native Vegetation

Long-term

Plant native vegetation along the coastline to stabilize the soil and reduce erosion.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Clarence Valley Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 13 April 2026

Explore Pimlico Island Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pimlico Island at risk of flooding?

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

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Pimlico Island?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Pimlico Island 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 Pimlico Island?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Pimlico Island. 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 Pimlico Island?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Pimlico Island 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 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?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Pimlico Island, 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