Climate Risk Assessment for Forbes River, NSW

Forbes River, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Forbes River faces significant climate risks, particularly from flooding and bushfires. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expected to exacerbate these risks in the coming decades. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

Is Forbes River Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Forbes River is prone to flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flood events.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Rising river levels

Bushfire

The area surrounding Forbes River has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. Hotter and drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier vegetation

Heat

Forbes River is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This will increase the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Forbes River is not directly exposed to coastal hazards. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant concerns for this suburb.

Key drivers:

  • ·Distance from the coast

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Forbes River

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Forbes River is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This will increase the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Forbes River is prone to flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flood events.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Rising river levels
  • ·Inadequate drainage infrastructure
Data source

coastal Risk

Forbes River is not directly exposed to coastal hazards. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant concerns for this suburb.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Distance from the coast
Data source

bushfire Risk

The area surrounding Forbes River has a high bushfire risk due to the presence of dense vegetation. Hotter and drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier vegetation
  • ·Stronger winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

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

Price Impact

Property values may be negatively impacted by the increased risk of extreme weather events.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to flooding and bushfires.
  • 3.Obtain adequate insurance coverage.
  • 4.Develop an emergency plan.

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

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing of buildings.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Reduce Bushfire Risk

Immediate

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as hazard reduction burns, clearing vegetation around homes, and improving building standards.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Prepare for Heatwaves

Near-term

Develop a heatwave plan and implement measures to protect vulnerable populations, such as providing cooling centers and educating the public about heat safety.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Strengthen Community Resilience

Long-term

Promote community awareness of climate risks and encourage residents to take steps to prepare for extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Forbes River's Climate Risk Profile

Forbes River is located in a region that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks are associated with increased flooding due to more intense rainfall events and a higher bushfire risk due to hotter, drier conditions.

The risk of flooding is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. Climate models project more intense rainfall events, which will lead to higher river levels and more frequent flooding of low-lying areas. Inadequate drainage infrastructure may exacerbate the problem.

The risk of bushfires is also expected to increase. Hotter, drier conditions will make vegetation more flammable, and stronger winds will increase the spread of fires. Residents should be prepared to evacuate their homes in the event of a bushfire.

Heatwaves are also expected to become more frequent and intense. This will increase the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.

While Forbes River is not directly exposed to coastal hazards, the impacts of climate change will be felt throughout the region. Residents should take steps to prepare for these impacts, such as developing emergency plans and investing in home improvements to reduce their vulnerability to extreme weather events.

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

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks for Forbes River?

The main climate change risks for Forbes River are increased flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves.

How will climate change affect property values in Forbes River?

Climate change may negatively impact property values in Forbes River due to the increased risk of extreme weather events.

What can I do to prepare for flooding in Forbes River?

You can prepare for flooding by checking flood maps, assessing your property's vulnerability, obtaining adequate insurance coverage, and developing an emergency plan.

What can I do to reduce my bushfire risk in Forbes River?

You can reduce your bushfire risk by clearing vegetation around your home, maintaining your property, and having a bushfire survival plan.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Forbes River?

You can find more information about climate change in Forbes River from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, the NSW State Emergency 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 Forbes River, use our analysis tool.

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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