Heat Risk in Smithfield, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Smithfield, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Smithfield experiences high temperatures during summer, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.Updated 31 Mar 2026

Heat Risk Score

7.0/10

Smithfield experiences high temperatures during summer, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key Facts

Heat Risk
Smithfield experiences high temperatures during summer, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Smithfield, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4878
Highest high-risk exposure
19.7% of land (riverine flood)

Heat Risk Analysis

Smithfield in Queensland faces elevated extreme heat risk. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports that Australia's average temperature has increased by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with the frequency of extreme heat days rising across most regions.

The urban heat island (UHI) effect can make built-up areas of Smithfield warmer than surrounding rural areas, particularly on summer nights. Dark roof materials, limited tree canopy cover, and heat-absorbing surfaces contribute to localised heat stress that varies by property.

The number of days exceeding 35°C is projected to increase in the coming decades.

Get an address-level heat risk assessment from ClimateNest for Smithfield including cooling cost estimates, heatwave vulnerability scoring, and adaptation recommendations tailored to your property.

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

Avg January Max Temp31.5 °C
Heat Stress Events/Year5
Urban Heat ContextThe number of days exceeding 35°C is projected to increase in the coming decades.

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

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

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

How hot does Smithfield get in summer?

Smithfield in Queensland experiences summer temperatures consistent with the regional climate. BOM publishes historical temperature data for weather stations near Smithfield. Get a property-specific heat exposure assessment with projected cooling costs from ClimateNest.

Is extreme heat increasing in Smithfield?

Australia-wide, extreme heat events have become more frequent since the mid-20th century, and this trend is consistent with CSIRO climate projections for Queensland. Continued warming is likely through 2050 under all emissions scenarios.

How does heat affect energy costs for Smithfield properties?

Higher temperatures increase cooling demand, which raises electricity costs. ClimateNest provides energy cost projections based on your property's specific exposure to extreme heat days in Smithfield and the performance of your building envelope.

What heat mitigation measures work best in Smithfield?

Effective heat mitigation includes light-coloured roofing (cool roofs), ceiling and wall insulation, double-glazed windows, external shading, cross-ventilation design, and increasing tree canopy around the property. These measures reduce indoor temperatures and cooling costs.

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.

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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