Climate Risk Profile: Belmore River, NSW

Belmore River, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Belmore River is a rural locality in New South Wales that faces increasing climate risks. The primary concerns are flooding from the Macleay River, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Belmore River Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Belmore River, 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 Belmore River

Flood

Belmore River faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Macleay River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels contribute to this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Rising river levels

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Belmore River is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions during the summer months. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Dry vegetation

Heat

Belmore River is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Higher average temperatures and prolonged periods of extreme heat can impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Belmore River faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. The proximity to the Macleay River estuary makes it vulnerable to inundation during storm surges.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges

Wind

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Storm

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Belmore River

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Belmore River is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Higher average temperatures and prolonged periods of extreme heat can impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Belmore River faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Macleay River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising river levels contribute to this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Rising river levels
  • ·Low-lying topography
Data source

coastal Risk

Belmore River faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. The proximity to the Macleay River estuary makes it vulnerable to inundation during storm surges.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Belmore River is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions during the summer months. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Wind patterns
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the rising risk of flooding and other climate-related events.

Price Impact

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to bushfires.
  • 3.Consider the potential impact of sea level rise.
  • 4.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.

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

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and improve drainage systems to reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable residents during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Protect Coastal Areas

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Belmore River's Climate Risk Profile

Belmore River, situated in the Macleay Valley of New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The area's low-lying topography and proximity to the Macleay River make it particularly susceptible to flooding, with potential for significant damage to property and infrastructure.

Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents, especially the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. The risk of bushfires is also increasing due to drier conditions and changes in vegetation.

Sea level rise and coastal erosion are additional concerns for Belmore River, potentially impacting coastal areas and infrastructure. The combined effects of these climate hazards necessitate proactive adaptation measures to protect the community and its assets.

Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort involving local government, emergency services, and the community. Implementing strategies to mitigate flood risk, manage heatwaves, and adapt to coastal changes is crucial for ensuring the long-term resilience of Belmore River.

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 Belmore River?

Belmore River faces significant risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards due to its location and changing climate patterns.

How is the local council addressing climate change in Belmore River?

The Kempsey Shire Council is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate flood risk, manage heatwaves, and adapt to coastal changes in the region.

What can residents do to prepare for increased heatwaves?

Residents can prepare by staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and checking on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves.

How will sea level rise affect Belmore River?

Sea level rise may lead to increased coastal erosion and inundation of low-lying areas near the Macleay River estuary.

Where can I find more information about flood risks in Belmore River?

Detailed flood maps and information are available on the Kempsey Shire Council website and the NSW State Emergency Service website.

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 Belmore River, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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