๐Ÿ“ฎ Mackay postcode: 4740

Bushfire Risk in Mackay, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Mackay, Queenslandยท Mackay Regional Councilยท 4740
While not as significant as flooding, Mackay faces some bushfire risk, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase this risk.Updated 2 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

3.0/10

While not as significant as flooding, Mackay faces some bushfire risk, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase this risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
While not as significant as flooding, Mackay faces some bushfire risk, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Mackay, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4740
Region
Mackay Region
Median property value
$550,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (7/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
14.2% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Mackay, Queensland, has a while not as significant as flooding, mackay faces some bushfire risk, particularly in areas bordering bushland. drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase this risk. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Queensland fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Areas bordering bushland are at higher risk during dry periods.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Mackay, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Mackay including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Mackay sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 14.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 59.3% 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.

On ClimateNest's 0โ€“10 suburb hazard index, Mackay scores 4 for bushfire risk โ€” a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Mackay can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Mackay located in Mackay Region (postcode 4740), is a Queensland suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $550,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Mackay.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Mackay is extreme heat (score 7/10), with elevated exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+25% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look โ€” the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Mackay, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Mackay are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandWithin 5km of Eungella National Park and other bushland areas.
BAL Overlay / ZoneRefer to the Queensland Bushfire Prone Area map.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to reduce flood risk, such as levees, drainage systems, and flood-resistant building codes.

Est. cost: High

Protect Coastal Areas

Near-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and mangrove restoration.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Develop a comprehensive heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation through education, incentives, and water-efficient technologies to reduce the strain on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Mackay Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 April 2026

Explore Mackay Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mackay in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Mackay may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Mackay has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Mackay?

BAL ratings in Mackay depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Mackay?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Mackay may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Mackay?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Queensland fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What are the main climate risks in Mackay?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Mackay's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 7/10 on a 0โ€“10 index, followed by damaging wind (6/10) and severe storm (6/10). These are suburb-level averages โ€” an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Mackay.

What share of Mackay is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14.2% of Mackay in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.3% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ€” individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Mackay Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Mackay, Queensland, 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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections