Is Macleay Island, QLD Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.8/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Macleay Island faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.
- Bushfire
- The risk of bushfires on Macleay Island is moderate, influenced by dry vegetation and prevailing winds during the fire season.
- Heat
- Macleay Island is experiencing increasing heatwaves and higher average temperatures, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Notable storm risk — tropical cyclones and severe thunderstorms in summer months
- Postcode
- 4184
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 16.4% of land (riverine flood)
Climate Safety Analysis
Macleay Island in Queensland 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 Macleay 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 Macleay 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 Macleay Island including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Macleay Island (postcode 4184) 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 riverine flood (16.4% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (14.9% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (11.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Macleay 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
Heavy rainfall and king tides caused flooding in low-lying coastal areas of Macleay Island.
A severe storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Macleay Island, causing minor damage.
A prolonged heatwave affected Macleay Island, with temperatures exceeding 35°C for several days.
Heavy rainfall caused localized flooding on Macleay Island.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve drainage infrastructure
Near-termUpgrade drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall.
Est. cost: Medium
Protect coastal ecosystems
Near-termPreserve and restore mangroves and other coastal vegetation to provide natural protection against erosion and storm surges.
Est. cost: Low
Develop a heatwave management plan
ImmediateImplement strategies to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, such as establishing cooling centers and providing public health information.
Est. cost: Low
Raise awareness of climate risks
Long-termEducate the community about the impacts of climate change and encourage proactive adaptation measures.
Est. cost: Low
Strengthen building codes
Long-termUpdate building codes to ensure that new construction is resilient to climate change impacts, such as flooding and heatwaves.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Macleay Island Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Macleay Island:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macleay Island safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Macleay 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 Macleay Island?
The dominant hazard for Macleay 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 Macleay 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 Queensland suburbs.
Should I be concerned about buying property in Macleay 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 Macleay Island?
Key projections for Queensland 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 Macleay Island.
What share of Macleay Island is exposed to high riverine flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 16.4% of Macleay Island in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 55.3% 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 Macleay 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