Climate Risk Profile: Fishermans Reach, NSW

Fishermans Reach, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Fishermans Reach is a suburb in New South Wales that faces moderate climate risks. The primary concerns are flooding from the Macleay River and increasing heatwaves, with coastal and bushfire risks also present.

Is Fishermans Reach Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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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

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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 Fishermans Reach

Flood

Fishermans Reach faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Macleay River. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas, impacting properties and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The bushfire risk in Fishermans Reach is moderate. While not immediately surrounded by dense bushland, the presence of vegetation and dry conditions during summer increase the potential for bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures

Heat

Fishermans Reach is likely to experience increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. Higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days can pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Global warming
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Fishermans Reach faces a moderate coastal risk due to its location near the coast and the Macleay River estuary. Sea level rise and storm surges can lead to coastal erosion and inundation.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges

Wind

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Storm

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Social

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Fishermans Reach

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Fishermans Reach is likely to experience increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. Higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days can pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Global warming
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Fishermans Reach faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Macleay River. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas, impacting properties and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Riverine overflow
Data source

coastal Risk

Fishermans Reach faces a moderate coastal risk due to its location near the coast and the Macleay River estuary. Sea level rise and storm surges can lead to coastal erosion and inundation.

Primary Drivers

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

bushfire Risk

The bushfire risk in Fishermans Reach is moderate. While not immediately surrounded by dense bushland, the presence of vegetation and dry conditions during summer increase the potential for bushfires.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Wind
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and coastal risks.

Price Impact

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price stagnation or decline.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
  • 2.Assess bushfire risk and prepare a bushfire survival plan.
  • 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
  • 4.Evaluate the energy efficiency of the property to mitigate heat risks.

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

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

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement community education programs and improve bushfire management practices.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop Heat Action Plans

Immediate

Create heat action plans to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Implement Coastal Management Strategies

Long-term

Develop and implement coastal management strategies to address sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Fishermans Reach's Climate Risk Profile

Fishermans Reach, located in New South Wales, is susceptible to several climate-related hazards. The suburb's proximity to the Macleay River makes it vulnerable to riverine flooding, which can be exacerbated by increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise. This poses a threat to properties and infrastructure in low-lying areas.

Bushfire risk is moderate, with dry vegetation and high temperatures increasing the potential for fires, particularly during the summer months. While not immediately adjacent to dense bushland, the surrounding areas can still pose a risk.

Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and intense, leading to higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days. This can have significant health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

Coastal risks, including sea level rise and storm surges, can lead to coastal erosion and inundation, affecting properties and infrastructure near the coast and the Macleay River estuary. Addressing these challenges requires proactive adaptation measures and community preparedness.

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 in Fishermans Reach?

The main climate risks in Fishermans Reach are flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion.

How will climate change affect property values in Fishermans Reach?

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price stagnation or decline due to increased flood risk.

What can residents do to prepare for heatwaves?

Residents can stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves.

What is the council doing to address climate change?

The council is developing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Please check the council website for more information.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Fishermans Reach?

Information about flood risks can be found on the council website and the Bureau of Meteorology 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 Fishermans Reach, 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

Climate Risk Profile for Fishermans Reach, NSW | ClimateNest