Climate Risk in Barwon, NSW

Barwon, New South Wales· Walgett
Updated May 2026

Barwon is a rural town in New South Wales facing increasing risks from bushfires, floods, and heatwaves. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these hazards, posing challenges for the community and infrastructure.

Is Barwon Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Barwon, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 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$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections

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Overall Risk Score

Address-level

Hazard Breakdown

Flood, bushfire, heat, coastal and storm exposure are all assessed in this area. The score that matters is the property's own: a ClimateNest report scores the address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Barwon

Flood

Barwon faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Barwon River and flat terrain. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine overflow

Bushfire

The area surrounding Barwon is prone to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry conditions. Grassfires and bushfires can pose a significant threat to properties and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures

Heat

Barwon experiences high temperatures during summer, leading to heat stress and potential health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Barwon is located inland and does not face any direct coastal risks.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Barwon

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Barwon experiences high temperatures during summer, leading to heat stress and potential health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Barwon faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Barwon River and flat terrain. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine overflow
  • ·Inadequate drainage
Data source

coastal Risk

Barwon is located inland and does not face any direct coastal risks.

Data source

bushfire Risk

The area surrounding Barwon is prone to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry conditions. Grassfires and bushfires can pose a significant threat to properties and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Strong winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the rising risks of bushfires and floods.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Obtain comprehensive insurance coverage.
  • 4.Consider long-term climate projections for the area.

How the region's climate is projected to change

Regional projections, not a forecast for this street. Figures are from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's climate projections for the South Western Flatlands region, which draws on CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology modelling.

Temperature

+0.5 to 1.1°C by 2030

Above the 1986–2005 climate, on all emissions scenarios. By 2090, 1.2 to 2.0°C under intermediate emissions or 2.6 to 4.0°C under high emissions.

Rainfall

Winter rain down up to 15% by 2030

The South West has been drying since 1970, and the decline has been larger than anywhere else in Australia. Heavy rainfall events are projected to become more intense even as totals fall.

Fire weather

Harsher, magnitude uncertain

High confidence that fire weather becomes harsher, low confidence in the size of the change, because it depends heavily on summer rainfall.

Sea level

+0.12 m by 2030

At the Fremantle gauge, range 0.07 to 0.16 m. Very high confidence that sea levels continue to rise through the century.

Source: Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Western Australian climate projections: summary, September 2021, South Western Flatlands chapter. Read the projections →

Adaptation Recommendations

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in levees and improved drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Bushfire Mitigation

Immediate

Implement vegetation management programs and create firebreaks to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide public education on heatwave safety.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community Resilience Programs

Long-term

Develop programs to support vulnerable populations and enhance community preparedness for climate-related disasters.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Barwon's Climate Risk Profile

Barwon, NSW, is a small inland community that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The region's climate is characterized by hot summers and variable rainfall, making it susceptible to both droughts and floods.

Bushfire risk is a major concern, with dry vegetation and high temperatures creating ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly. The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves also pose a significant threat to public health, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

Flooding is another significant hazard, with the Barwon River prone to overflowing during periods of heavy rainfall. This can inundate low-lying areas, causing damage to properties and infrastructure. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, further exacerbating the risk of flooding.

While Barwon does not face coastal risks, the combined effects of bushfires, floods, and heatwaves present a complex challenge for the community. Adaptation measures are needed to protect residents and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change.

Suburb pages describe the local picture. The address-level assessment, with its data sources and its dollar projections, is in the ClimateNest report.

Local Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate risks facing Barwon?

Barwon faces significant risks from bushfires, floods, and heatwaves, all of which are expected to worsen with climate change.

How is the local council preparing for climate change?

The Walgett Shire Council is developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including flood management and bushfire preparedness programs.

What can residents do to protect themselves from bushfires?

Residents can clear vegetation around their homes, prepare a bushfire survival plan, and stay informed about fire danger ratings.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Barwon?

Flood maps and information are available on the Walgett Shire Council website and the NSW State Emergency Service website.

How can I prepare for a heatwave in Barwon?

Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves.

Get your property's risk report

This suburb assessment covers the area. For a precise address-level climate risk report for any specific property in Barwon, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Barwon's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 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$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections