Flood Risk in South Murwillumbah, NSW: 2026 Assessment

South Murwillumbah, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
South Murwillumbah is located on the Tweed River floodplain, making it highly susceptible to flooding. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels are expected to exacerbate flood risk.Updated 27 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

8.5/10

South Murwillumbah is located on the Tweed River floodplain, making it highly susceptible to flooding. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels are expected to exacerbate flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
South Murwillumbah is located on the Tweed River floodplain, making it highly susceptible to flooding. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels are expected to exacerbate flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
South Murwillumbah, NSW
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
2484
Highest high-risk exposure
11.3% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

South Murwillumbah, 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 Tweed River regularly floods, impacting South Murwillumbah. Historical flood data and council planning documents confirm the high flood risk.

South Murwillumbah is located on the Tweed River floodplain, making it highly susceptible to flooding. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels are expected to exacerbate 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.

South Murwillumbah sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 74.4% 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 South Murwillumbah.

South Murwillumbah (postcode 2484) 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 (11.3% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (10.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across South Murwillumbah — 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 WaterwayTweed River
Elevation Range5-10 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2022
Major

Record-breaking floods inundated South Murwillumbah, causing widespread damage and displacement.

2017
Moderate

Flooding along the Tweed River impacted South Murwillumbah, causing road closures and property damage.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in flood levees, drainage improvements, and early warning systems to reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement vegetation management programs, improve building standards, and develop community evacuation plans.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a heatwave action plan with cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and support for vulnerable populations.

Est. cost: Low

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Long-term

Incorporate climate change projections into infrastructure planning and design to ensure long-term resilience.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

Tweed Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 27 May 2026

Explore South Murwillumbah Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Murwillumbah at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, South Murwillumbah 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 South Murwillumbah?

Insurance costs for flood cover in South Murwillumbah 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 South Murwillumbah?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in South Murwillumbah. 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 South Murwillumbah?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within South Murwillumbah 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 South Murwillumbah is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.3% of South Murwillumbah 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 South Murwillumbah Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for South Murwillumbah, 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 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections