Climate Risk in Hay South, NSW

Hay South, New South Wales· Hay· 2711
Updated May 2026

Hay South is a suburb in the Riverina region of New South Wales. It faces moderate risks from flooding and high risks from heatwaves, which are expected to increase with climate change. Bushfire risk is relatively low.

Is Hay South Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Hay South, 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 Hay South

Flood

Hay South faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River and flat terrain. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding and localised flash flooding.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine overflow

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Hay South is relatively low compared to other regions in NSW, but dry grasslands surrounding the suburb can pose a threat during hot and windy conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Hot and windy conditions

Heat

Hay South experiences high temperatures during summer, increasing the risk of heatwaves and heat stress for vulnerable populations. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Hay South is located inland and does not face any direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea level rise or coastal erosion.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Hay South

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Hay South experiences high temperatures during summer, increasing the risk of heatwaves and heat stress for vulnerable populations. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Hay South faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River and flat terrain. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding and localised flash flooding.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine overflow
  • ·Inadequate drainage
Data source

coastal Risk

Hay South is located inland and does not face any direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea level rise or coastal erosion.

Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Hay South is relatively low compared to other regions in NSW, but dry grasslands surrounding the suburb can pose a threat during hot and windy conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Hot and windy conditions
  • ·Ignition sources
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and heat risks.

Price Impact

Property values may be negatively impacted by increasing flood and heat risks.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs
  • 2.Assess property's heat resilience
  • 3.Consider future climate 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 Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of localised flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement Heatwave Early Warning System

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Encourage residents to conserve water through education and incentives to reduce water stress during periods of drought and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Develop Community Emergency Plan

Near-term

Create a community emergency plan to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters such as floods and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Hay South's Climate Risk Profile

Hay South, located in the Riverina region of New South Wales, is characterized by its flat terrain and proximity to the Murrumbidgee River. This geographical setting makes the suburb susceptible to flooding, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change projections indicate an increasing trend in flood risk due to more intense rainfall events.

Heatwaves pose a significant threat to Hay South, with the region experiencing high temperatures during the summer months. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk during these events. The frequency and intensity of heatwaves are expected to increase with climate change, further exacerbating the risks.

While the risk of bushfire is relatively low compared to other regions in NSW, the dry grasslands surrounding Hay South can still pose a threat during hot and windy conditions. It is important for residents to maintain their properties and be aware of bushfire safety measures.

Adaptation measures are crucial to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Hay South. These include improving drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risk, implementing heatwave early warning systems, and promoting water conservation practices. Community awareness and preparedness are also essential to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

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 Hay South?

The main climate change risks in Hay South are flooding and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase in the future due to more intense rainfall events and rising temperatures.

How can I prepare for a flood in Hay South?

You can prepare for a flood by checking flood maps, having an emergency plan, and ensuring your property is adequately insured. It's also important to stay informed about weather forecasts and warnings.

What should I do during a heatwave in Hay South?

During a heatwave, it's important to stay hydrated, stay cool, and avoid strenuous activity. Check on vulnerable neighbours and friends, and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of heat stress.

Is my property at risk of bushfire in Hay South?

While the risk of bushfire is relatively low, it's still important to be aware of the potential threat. Maintain your property, clear dry vegetation, and have a bushfire survival plan.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Hay South?

You can find more information about climate change in Hay South from the Hay Shire Council website, the NSW Government's climate change website, 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 Hay South, 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