Climate Risk in Scone, NSW

Scone, New South Wales· Upper Hunter Shire Council· 2337
Updated Apr 2026

Scone faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves, which are expected to increase with climate change. The suburb is located inland, so coastal risks are minimal. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Scone Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Scone faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Hunter River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding

Bushfire

Scone has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to worsen these conditions, leading to a higher bushfire risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Scone experiences hot summers, and the risk of heatwaves is increasing with climate change. Higher temperatures can pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Scone is located inland and does not face a 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 Scone

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Scone experiences hot summers, and the risk of heatwaves is increasing with climate change. Higher temperatures can pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Scone faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Hunter River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding
  • ·Urban development
Data source

coastal Risk

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

Data source

bushfire Risk

Scone has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to worsen these conditions, leading to a higher bushfire risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Fuel load
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

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

Price Impact

Properties in areas with higher flood or bushfire risk may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to flooding and bushfires.
  • 3.Obtain insurance quotes and understand policy coverage.
  • 4.Develop an emergency plan and prepare a survival kit.

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 infrastructure to mitigate flood risks, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing buildings.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire prevention programs, including fuel reduction, community education, and improved firefighting capabilities.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Near-term

Create a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and health alerts.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Implement water conservation measures to address drought risks, such as water restrictions, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation techniques.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Strengthen Emergency Services

Immediate

Ensure that emergency services are adequately equipped and trained to respond to climate-related disasters.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Scone's Climate Risk Profile

Scone, located in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, is susceptible to several climate-related risks. The primary concerns are flooding due to its proximity to the Hunter River, bushfires from the surrounding bushland, and heatwaves during the summer months.

Climate change projections indicate that Scone will experience higher average temperatures, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and changes in rainfall patterns. These changes are likely to exacerbate the existing risks of flooding and bushfires. The increased intensity of rainfall can lead to more severe flooding events, while hotter and drier conditions can increase the likelihood and severity of bushfires.

The local council and emergency services are working to mitigate these risks through various strategies, including flood mitigation measures, bushfire prevention programs, and community awareness campaigns. However, individual residents also need to take steps to prepare for and adapt to the changing climate.

This includes measures such as maintaining properties to reduce bushfire risk, having an emergency plan in place, and taking precautions during heatwaves. Staying informed about weather forecasts and warnings is also crucial for making timely decisions to protect life and property. The community's resilience will depend on a combination of government action and individual preparedness.

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 risks in Scone?

The main climate risks in Scone are flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase with climate change.

How can I prepare my property for flooding?

You can prepare your property for flooding by elevating appliances, sealing walls, and installing flood barriers. Check the council flood maps to understand your property's risk.

What should I do during a heatwave?

During a heatwave, stay indoors in air-conditioned environments, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activities. Check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable individuals.

How can I reduce my property's bushfire risk?

You can reduce your property's bushfire risk by clearing vegetation around your home, maintaining gutters, and having a bushfire survival plan.

Where can I find information about emergency services in Scone?

You can find information about emergency services in Scone on the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) website and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) website.

What is the council doing to address climate change?

The Upper Hunter Shire Council is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including flood mitigation measures, bushfire prevention programs, and water conservation initiatives. Check their website for details.

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 Scone, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Scone'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