Is Smithfield, QLD Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Smithfield, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 31 Mar 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Smithfield is located near waterways and low-lying areas, making it susceptible to flooding. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Bushfire
Smithfield has some areas adjacent to bushland, increasing the risk of bushfires, particularly during dry periods with strong winds.
Heat
Smithfield experiences high temperatures during summer, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Storm
Notable storm risk — tropical cyclones and severe thunderstorms in summer months
Postcode
4878
Highest high-risk exposure
19.7% of land (riverine flood)

Climate Safety Analysis

Smithfield 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 Smithfield'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 Smithfield 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 Smithfield including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Smithfield (postcode 4878) 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 (19.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (12.1% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (8.9% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Smithfield — 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

Distance to BushlandSome properties are within 500m of bushland.
BAL OverlayQFES bushfire prone area map indicates areas of risk.
Nearest WaterwayBarron River
Flood ZoneAreas near the Barron River are designated as flood zones.
Avg January Max31.5 °C

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

A prolonged heatwave resulted in increased hospital admissions and strain on the electricity grid.

2019
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas of Smithfield, impacting homes and businesses.

2018
Moderate

A severe storm caused damage to property and infrastructure in Smithfield.

2005
Major

Significant flooding event impacted many homes and businesses in Smithfield after heavy rainfall.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing of buildings.

Est. cost: High

Develop Heatwave Preparedness Plans

Immediate

Implement strategies to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, such as cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Implement measures to protect against coastal erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: High

Improve Bushfire Management

Near-term

Reduce bushfire risk through controlled burns, vegetation management, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation measures to reduce demand on water resources during droughts and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Cairns Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 31 March 2026

Explore Smithfield Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smithfield safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Smithfield 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 Smithfield?

The dominant hazard for Smithfield 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 Smithfield 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 Smithfield?

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 Smithfield?

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 Smithfield.

What share of Smithfield is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.7% of Smithfield in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 67.7% 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 Smithfield Safe from Climate Risk?

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