Climate Risk in Braidwood, New South Wales

Braidwood, New South Wales· Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional· 2622
Updated May 2026

Braidwood faces increasing risks from flooding and bushfires due to climate change. The town's location near the Shoalhaven River and surrounding bushland makes it vulnerable to these hazards. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

Is Braidwood Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Braidwood is located near the Shoalhaven River and its tributaries, making it susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas and disrupt infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in river flow patterns

Bushfire

Braidwood is surrounded by bushland, increasing the risk of bushfires, especially during dry and windy conditions. The area has a history of bushfire activity.

Key drivers:

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Heat

Braidwood experiences moderate heat, with potential for heatwaves during summer. Increased temperatures can impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Braidwood is located inland and is not directly exposed to coastal hazards.

Key drivers:

  • ·N/A

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Braidwood

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Braidwood experiences moderate heat, with potential for heatwaves during summer. Increased temperatures can impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Braidwood is located near the Shoalhaven River and its tributaries, making it susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas and disrupt infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in river flow patterns
  • ·Urban development increasing runoff
Data source

coastal Risk

Braidwood is located inland and is not directly exposed to coastal hazards.

Primary Drivers

  • ·N/A
Data source

bushfire Risk

Braidwood is surrounded by bushland, increasing the risk of bushfires, especially during dry and windy conditions. The area has a history of bushfire activity.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Accumulation of dry vegetation
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to the increased risk of flooding and bushfires.

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 the property's vulnerability to flooding and bushfires.
  • 3.Obtain insurance quotes and understand policy coverage.
  • 4.Consider the long-term climate risks when making a purchase decision.

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 protect Braidwood from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Manage Vegetation

Immediate

Reduce bushfire risk by clearing vegetation around properties and creating firebreaks.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Upgrade Infrastructure

Long-term

Strengthen infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, such as flooding and heatwaves.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop Emergency Plans

Immediate

Create and implement emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Braidwood's Climate Risk Profile

Braidwood, a historic town in New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks are associated with flooding and bushfires, both of which are projected to worsen in the coming decades.

The town's proximity to the Shoalhaven River and its tributaries means that it is susceptible to riverine flooding. Increased rainfall intensity, driven by climate change, is likely to lead to more frequent and severe flood events. This can inundate low-lying areas, damage property, and disrupt infrastructure.

Braidwood is also surrounded by bushland, which poses a significant bushfire risk. Drier conditions and more frequent heatwaves are creating a more fire-prone environment. The accumulation of dry vegetation further exacerbates the risk, making the town vulnerable to bushfires, especially during dry and windy conditions.

While heat is a concern, the coastal risk is minimal due to Braidwood's inland location. However, the increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves can still impact vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Addressing these climate risks requires a combination of adaptation and mitigation strategies. This includes improving flood defenses, managing vegetation to reduce bushfire risk, and implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate risks facing Braidwood?

The main climate risks facing Braidwood are flooding and bushfires, which are projected to worsen in the coming decades.

How will climate change affect property values in Braidwood?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to the increased risk of flooding and bushfires.

What can I do to protect my property from flooding?

You can protect your property from flooding by improving drainage, raising the foundation, and installing flood barriers.

How can I prepare for a bushfire?

You can prepare for a bushfire by clearing vegetation around your property, creating a firebreak, and having a bushfire survival plan.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Braidwood?

You can find more information about climate change in Braidwood from the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, the NSW Rural Fire Service, and the Bureau of Meteorology.

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 Braidwood, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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