Flood Risk in Mackay Harbour, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Mackay Harbour, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Mackay Harbour faces a notable risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.Updated 31 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Mackay Harbour faces a notable risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Mackay Harbour faces a notable risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Mackay Harbour, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4740
Highest high-risk exposure
20.2% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Mackay Harbour, located in Queensland, 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 Queensland.

Historical flood data indicates frequent inundation of low-lying areas during heavy rainfall events.

Mackay Harbour faces a notable risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

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.

Mackay Harbour sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 4.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 76.7% 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 Mackay Harbour.

Mackay Harbour (postcode 4740) 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 (20.2% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (17% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (12.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Mackay Harbour — 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 WaterwayPioneer River
Elevation Range0-5 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationCoastal Flood Zone

Historical Events

2023
Moderate

Heavy rainfall associated with a tropical low caused flash flooding in low-lying areas of Mackay Harbour.

2008
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Mackay, including Mackay Harbour, disrupting transport and damaging property.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flash flooding.

Est. cost: High

Construct Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Build seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against sea level rise and storm surge.

Est. cost: Very High

Implement Heatwave Early Warning System

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents to impending heatwaves and provide advice on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Encourage residents to conserve water to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Mackay Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 31 March 2026

Explore Mackay Harbour Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mackay Harbour at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Mackay Harbour 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 Mackay Harbour?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Mackay Harbour 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 Mackay Harbour?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Mackay Harbour. 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 Mackay Harbour?

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 20.2% of Mackay Harbour in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 61.6% 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 Mackay Harbour Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Mackay Harbour, Queensland, 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