Climate Risk in Frederickton, NSW

Frederickton, New South Wales· Kempsey· 2440
Updated May 2026

Frederickton is a suburb in the Kempsey region of New South Wales. It faces increasing risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves due to climate change. Sea level rise may also exacerbate flooding along the Macleay River.

Is Frederickton Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Frederickton is located near the Macleay River and has a history of flooding. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, leading to a higher risk of riverine flooding.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise affecting river flow

Bushfire

Frederickton has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier vegetation

Heat

Frederickton is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This will increase the risk of heat stress for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Frederickton is located inland, so coastal risks are lower. However, sea level rise could affect the Macleay River and increase flood risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Frederickton

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Frederickton is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This will increase the risk of heat stress for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Frederickton is located near the Macleay River and has a history of flooding. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, leading to a higher risk of riverine flooding.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise affecting river flow
  • ·Changes in catchment hydrology
Data source

coastal Risk

Frederickton is located inland, so coastal risks are lower. However, sea level rise could affect the Macleay River and increase flood risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge
  • ·Erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

Frederickton has some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier vegetation
  • ·More frequent heatwaves
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

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

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 bushfire risk and implement mitigation measures.
  • 3.Consider the potential impact of climate change on property value.
  • 4.Ensure adequate insurance 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

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

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Bushfire Mitigation

Near-term

Implement vegetation management and create firebreaks to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Heatwave Preparedness

Immediate

Develop a heatwave plan and establish cooling centers for vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community Awareness

Long-term

Educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Frederickton's Climate Risk Profile

Frederickton, located in the Kempsey Shire, is a community that will face increasing challenges due to climate change. The primary concern is the heightened risk of flooding, driven by more intense rainfall events and potential sea level rise affecting the Macleay River.

Bushfire risk is also a significant factor, with drier conditions and higher temperatures increasing the likelihood of fires in the surrounding vegetation. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and severe, posing a threat to vulnerable residents.

While Frederickton is not directly on the coast, the impacts of sea level rise on the Macleay River could increase flood risks. It is crucial for residents and local authorities to prepare for these changes and implement adaptation measures.

Addressing these climate risks requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved flood management, bushfire mitigation strategies, and heatwave preparedness plans. Community engagement and awareness are also essential to building resilience.

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 change risks in Frederickton?

The main risks are increased flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves due to climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Frederickton?

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

What is the council doing to address climate change?

Kempsey Shire Council is developing climate adaptation strategies and investing in flood mitigation measures.

How can I prepare for heatwaves in Frederickton?

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

What should I do to protect my property from bushfires?

Clear vegetation around your home, create firebreaks, and have a bushfire survival plan.

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 Frederickton, 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