Is Pemberton, WA Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Pemberton, 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
Pemberton faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and riverine flooding. The risk is expected to increase with climate change.
Bushfire
Pemberton has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to dense forests and dry conditions during summer. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.
Heat
Pemberton experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — winter storms and occasional severe thunderstorms
Postcode
6260
Highest high-risk exposure
18.7% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Pemberton 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 Pemberton's climate safety include 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 Pemberton 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 Pemberton including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Pemberton (postcode 6260) 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 (18.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (14.1% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (3.4% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Pemberton — 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 BushlandImmediately adjacent to state forest.
BAL OverlayDFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Nearest WaterwayDonnelly River
Flood ZoneAreas near the Donnelly River are prone to flooding.
Avg January Max27.5 °C

Historical Events

2023
Minor

Localized flooding occurred after a period of intense rainfall, affecting some residential areas.

2022
Moderate

Pemberton experienced a prolonged heatwave with record-breaking temperatures, impacting public health and infrastructure.

2019
Moderate

A bushfire near Pemberton threatened the town, requiring evacuations and property protection efforts.

2016
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Donnelly River to flood, impacting low-lying areas of Pemberton.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Bushfire Preparedness Plan

Immediate

Develop and implement a comprehensive bushfire preparedness plan for your property, including clearing vegetation, creating firebreaks, and having an evacuation plan.

Est. cost: Low

Flood Mitigation Measures

Near-term

Implement flood mitigation measures such as installing flood barriers, improving drainage, and elevating vulnerable equipment.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Preparedness

Immediate

Prepare for heatwaves by ensuring access to cooling, staying hydrated, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.

Est. cost: Low

Sustainable Land Management

Long-term

Promote sustainable land management practices to reduce bushfire risk and protect water resources.

Est. cost: Medium

Community Education Programs

Near-term

Implement community education programs to raise awareness about climate risks and adaptation strategies.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Shire of Manjimup
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 March 2026

Explore Pemberton Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pemberton safe from climate change?

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

The dominant hazard for Pemberton 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 Pemberton 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 Pemberton?

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 Pemberton?

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 Pemberton.

What share of Pemberton is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.7% of Pemberton in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 52.7% 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 Pemberton Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Pemberton, 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