Climate Risk in Hawks Nest, NSW

Hawks Nest, New South Wales· MidCoast Council· 2324

Updated Mar 2026

Hawks Nest is a coastal town in New South Wales that faces several climate-related risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting property values and community well-being. Residents should take steps to prepare for these challenges.

Is Hawks Nest Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Hawks Nest, 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 Hawks Nest

Flood

Hawks Nest is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges, particularly in low-lying areas near the Myall River and coast. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Sea level rise

Bushfire

Hawks Nest faces a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity.

Key drivers:

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions

Heat

Hawks Nest experiences hot summers, with the potential for heatwaves. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

·Increased temperatures
·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Hawks Nest is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The coastline is dynamic, and climate change is expected to accelerate erosion rates and increase the frequency of coastal flooding.

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 Hawks Nest

Should I Buy

Property buying guide with climate risk assessment

Flood Risk

Flood zone mapping, historical events, and projections

Bushfire Risk

BAL assessment, vegetation proximity, and fire history

Climate Safety

Multi-hazard safety assessment to 2050

Storm Risk

Severe weather, hail, and wind risk analysis

Heat Risk

Extreme heat days, urban heat island, and cooling costs

Insurance Costs

Premium estimates and insurance availability

Investment Score

Climate-adjusted property investment analysis

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased temperatures
·Urban heat island effect

Data source

flood Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Sea level rise
·Storm surges

Data source

coastal Risk

Primary Drivers

·Sea level rise
·Increased storm intensity
·Coastal erosion

Data source

bushfire Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions
·Increased fuel load

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 climate risks.

Buyer Checklist

1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone land overlays.
2.Assess property's vulnerability to coastal erosion.
3.Consider the cost of insurance and potential for increased 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

Improve flood defenses

Near-term

Construct seawalls and levees to protect low-lying areas from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Strengthen bushfire preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire hazard reduction programs and improve community education.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop a heatwave management plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide support to vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Relocate vulnerable infrastructure

Long-term

Move critical infrastructure away from areas at high risk of coastal erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

About Hawks Nest's Climate Risk Profile

Hawks Nest is a coastal town located in the MidCoast Council region of New South Wales. The town is situated on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the Myall River, making it particularly vulnerable to coastal hazards.

Flooding is a significant concern in Hawks Nest, with low-lying areas susceptible to inundation from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, potentially leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

The town also faces a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires, posing a threat to homes and infrastructure. Climate change is expected to lengthen the bushfire season and increase fire intensity.

Heatwaves are another growing concern in Hawks Nest, with climate change projected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events. This can pose a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Coastal erosion and inundation are also significant threats to Hawks Nest, with sea level rise and storm surges expected to exacerbate these hazards. The coastline is dynamic, and climate change is projected to accelerate erosion rates and increase the frequency of coastal flooding.

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

MidCoast Council

Climate Strategy Flood Maps Emergency Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks facing Hawks Nest?

Hawks Nest faces risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, all of which are expected to worsen with climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Hawks Nest?

Climate change may negatively impact property values due to increased risks of flooding, bushfires, and coastal erosion. Properties in high-risk areas may experience the most significant impacts.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Hawks Nest?

MidCoast Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to reduce the risks from climate change and protect the community.

What can I do to prepare for climate change in Hawks Nest?

You can take steps to protect your property from flooding and bushfires, develop a heatwave plan, and stay informed about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Hawks Nest?

You can find more information on the MidCoast Council website, the NSW government environment 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 Hawks Nest, use our analysis tool.

Analyse a Property in Hawks Nest →

Check Your flood Risk Now

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Get Your flood Risk Report — A$49

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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