Climate Risk Profile: Lake Burrendong, NSW

Lake Burrendong, New South Wales· Mid-Western Regional
Updated May 2026

Lake Burrendong faces significant climate risks, primarily from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change, potentially impacting property values and community well-being. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

Is Lake Burrendong Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Lake Burrendong, 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 Lake Burrendong

Flood

Lake Burrendong is at high risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Burrendong Dam and the Macquarie River. Heavy rainfall events can lead to rapid increases in water levels, inundating low-lying areas.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Dam capacity exceeded

Bushfire

The area surrounding Lake Burrendong is susceptible to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry periods. The presence of extensive bushland increases the risk of fire ignition and spread.

Key drivers:

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased fuel load

Heat

Lake Burrendong experiences high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwaves. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to more frequent and intense heat events.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Lake Burrendong is not exposed to coastal risks.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Lake Burrendong

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Lake Burrendong experiences high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwaves. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to more frequent and intense heat events.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Data source

flood Risk

Lake Burrendong is at high risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Burrendong Dam and the Macquarie River. Heavy rainfall events can lead to rapid increases in water levels, inundating low-lying areas.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Dam capacity exceeded
  • ·Changes in land use
Data source

coastal Risk

Lake Burrendong is not exposed to coastal risks.

Data source

bushfire Risk

The area surrounding Lake Burrendong is susceptible to bushfires, particularly during hot and dry periods. The presence of extensive bushland increases the risk of fire ignition and spread.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased fuel load
  • ·Higher temperatures
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

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

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to climate change impacts.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to extreme heat.
  • 3.Obtain comprehensive insurance coverage.
  • 4.Implement measures to mitigate flood and bushfire 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

Upgrade flood defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect properties from flooding, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement bushfire management strategies

Immediate

Reduce fuel loads around properties and implement community fire management plans.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop a heatwave response plan

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Implement measures to conserve water resources and manage drought conditions.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Lake Burrendong's Climate Risk Profile

Lake Burrendong, located in the Mid-Western Regional Council of New South Wales, is exposed to a range of climate-related hazards. The most prominent risk is flooding, given its proximity to the Burrendong Dam and the Macquarie River. Heavy rainfall events can overwhelm the dam's capacity, leading to downstream flooding that affects residential and agricultural areas.

Bushfire risk is also a major concern, particularly during the dry summer months. The surrounding bushland provides ample fuel for fires, and strong winds can quickly spread flames, threatening properties and lives. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, with longer and more intense fire seasons.

Heatwaves are another significant hazard, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C during summer. These extreme heat events can cause heat stress, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The frequency and intensity of heatwaves are projected to increase in the future.

While Lake Burrendong is not directly exposed to coastal risks, the broader impacts of climate change, such as disruptions to supply chains and increased insurance costs, could still affect the community. It is crucial for residents and local authorities to take proactive measures to mitigate these risks and adapt to the changing climate.

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 Lake Burrendong?

The main climate change risks for Lake Burrendong are flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Lake Burrendong?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to climate change impacts, particularly those vulnerable to flooding and bushfires.

What can residents do to prepare for climate change?

Residents can take steps to reduce their vulnerability to climate change, such as implementing bushfire protection measures, improving flood defenses, and conserving water resources.

What is the local council doing to address climate change?

The Mid-Western Regional Council is developing and implementing climate change strategies to mitigate risks and adapt to the changing climate.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Lake Burrendong?

You can find more information about climate change risks from the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, and the Mid-Western Regional Council.

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 Lake Burrendong, 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