Is Donnybrook, WA Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Donnybrook, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 18 Mar 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Donnybrook faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the Preston River. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.
Bushfire
The area surrounding Donnybrook has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of significant bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to increase this risk.
Heat
Donnybrook is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This will increase the risk of heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — winter storms and occasional severe thunderstorms
Postcode
6239
Highest high-risk exposure
11.1% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Donnybrook in Western Australia 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 Donnybrook's climate safety include flood, bushfire. 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 Donnybrook 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 Donnybrook including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Donnybrook (postcode 6239) 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 (11.1% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (7% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (6.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Donnybrook — 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 BushlandAdjacent to state forest
BAL OverlayDFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Nearest WaterwayPreston River
Flood ZoneAreas near the Preston River are prone to flooding.
Avg January Max32 °C

Historical Events

2022
Minor

Minor flooding occurred along the Preston River after a period of heavy rainfall.

2019
Moderate

A prolonged heatwave resulted in heat stress and health concerns for vulnerable populations.

2016
Moderate

A bushfire near Donnybrook threatened properties and required emergency response.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Preston River to flood, impacting properties near the river.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement community education programs and support residents in preparing their properties for bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Water Resource Management

Long-term

Implement strategies to conserve water and ensure a sustainable water supply in the face of climate change.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 March 2026

Explore Donnybrook Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Donnybrook safe from climate change?

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

The dominant hazard for Donnybrook 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 Donnybrook 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 Western Australia suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Donnybrook?

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 Donnybrook?

Key projections for Western Australia 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 Donnybrook.

What share of Donnybrook is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.1% of Donnybrook in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 73.5% 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 Donnybrook Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Donnybrook, Western Australia, 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