Climate Risk Profile: Great Mackerel Beach, NSW

Great Mackerel Beach, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Great Mackerel Beach faces significant climate risks, particularly from bushfires, coastal erosion, and heatwaves. The area's proximity to bushland and the coast makes it vulnerable to extreme weather events. Residents should prepare for increasing risks in the coming decades.

Is Great Mackerel Beach Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Great Mackerel Beach, 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 Great Mackerel Beach

Flood

Great Mackerel Beach faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall and potential storm surges. The area's low-lying coastal geography makes it susceptible to inundation.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The suburb is at high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation

Heat

Great Mackerel Beach is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Coastal erosion and sea level rise pose a significant threat to Great Mackerel Beach, potentially impacting infrastructure and property values.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Great Mackerel Beach

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Great Mackerel Beach is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Great Mackerel Beach faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall and potential storm surges. The area's low-lying coastal geography makes it susceptible to inundation.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
Data source

coastal Risk

Coastal erosion and sea level rise pose a significant threat to Great Mackerel Beach, potentially impacting infrastructure and property values.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The suburb is at high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation
  • ·Stronger winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Premiums are likely to increase due to climate risks.

Price Impact

Property values may be negatively impacted by increasing climate risks.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone areas.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to coastal erosion.
  • 3.Consider the cost of insurance premiums.
  • 4.Inquire about council's climate adaptation plans.

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

Develop a community bushfire plan

Immediate

Create a detailed plan outlining evacuation routes, firebreaks, and community responsibilities during bushfire events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Implement coastal erosion management strategies

Near-term

Invest in seawalls, beach nourishment, and other measures to protect coastal properties from erosion.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Improve flood resilience of buildings

Near-term

Elevate homes, install flood barriers, and improve drainage systems to reduce flood damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Establish a heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Implement a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on staying safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to conserve water through rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation practices.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Great Mackerel Beach's Climate Risk Profile

Great Mackerel Beach, NSW, is a picturesque coastal suburb that faces increasing challenges from climate change. The primary risks include bushfires, coastal erosion, flooding, and heatwaves. The suburb's unique geography, characterized by its proximity to both dense bushland and the coastline, amplifies these vulnerabilities.

Bushfire risk is a major concern, with the potential for increased frequency and intensity of fires due to hotter, drier conditions. Coastal erosion and sea level rise threaten infrastructure and property values along the shoreline. Flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges can also impact the area, particularly low-lying regions.

Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and intense, posing health risks to vulnerable populations. These climate change impacts necessitate proactive adaptation measures to protect the community and its assets.

Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort involving local government, residents, and emergency services. Implementing strategies to mitigate bushfire risk, manage coastal erosion, improve flood resilience, and prepare for heatwaves is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Great Mackerel Beach.

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 for Great Mackerel Beach?

The primary risks include bushfires, coastal erosion, flooding, and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase in the coming decades due to climate change.

How will sea level rise affect Great Mackerel Beach?

Sea level rise will exacerbate coastal erosion and increase the risk of inundation during storm surges, potentially impacting properties close to the beach.

What can I do to protect my property from bushfires?

Clear vegetation around your home, maintain firebreaks, and have a bushfire survival plan in place. Stay informed about fire danger ratings and warnings.

How can I prepare for heatwaves?

Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.

What is the council doing to address climate change?

The Northern Beaches Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to reduce the risks from climate change. Check their website for more information.

Where can I find information about emergency services during a disaster?

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) website provides information about emergency services and how to prepare for disasters.

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 Great Mackerel Beach, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Great Mackerel Beach's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

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