Climate Risk in Upper Pappinbarra, New South Wales

Upper Pappinbarra, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Upper Pappinbarra is a rural suburb in New South Wales facing increasing risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these hazards, requiring proactive adaptation measures to protect the community and environment. The suburb's inland location mitigates coastal risks.

Is Upper Pappinbarra Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Upper Pappinbarra, 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 Upper Pappinbarra

Flood

Upper Pappinbarra faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Pappinbarra River and surrounding waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near the river.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in land use

Bushfire

The bushfire risk in Upper Pappinbarra is high due to the surrounding bushland and dry conditions during the summer months. The area is susceptible to bushfires originating from nearby forests, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Upper Pappinbarra experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected in the future. This can impact vulnerable populations and increase energy demand for cooling.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Coastal risk is low in Upper Pappinbarra due to its inland location. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant threats to this suburb.

Key drivers:

  • ·Distance from coast

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Upper Pappinbarra

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Upper Pappinbarra experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected in the future. This can impact vulnerable populations and increase energy demand for cooling.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Upper Pappinbarra faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Pappinbarra River and surrounding waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near the river.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in land use
  • ·Aging infrastructure
Data source

coastal Risk

Coastal risk is low in Upper Pappinbarra due to its inland location. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant threats to this suburb.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Distance from coast
Data source

bushfire Risk

The bushfire risk in Upper Pappinbarra is high due to the surrounding bushland and dry conditions during the summer months. The area is susceptible to bushfires originating from nearby forests, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

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

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

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

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas 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.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
  • 4.Consider the potential impact of climate change on property value.

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 levees and drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement Bushfire Management Practices

Immediate

Conduct regular hazard reduction burns and maintain firebreaks to reduce fuel loads.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Long-term

Encourage the adoption of energy-efficient appliances and solar panels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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

About Upper Pappinbarra's Climate Risk Profile

Upper Pappinbarra, nestled in the Hastings region of New South Wales, is characterized by its natural beauty and rural setting. However, the suburb is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly flooding and bushfires.

The risk of flooding is primarily driven by the Pappinbarra River and its tributaries, which can overflow during periods of heavy rainfall. Climate change projections indicate an increase in the intensity of rainfall events, potentially leading to more frequent and severe flooding in the future. This poses a threat to properties located near the river and low-lying areas.

Bushfire risk is also a significant concern for Upper Pappinbarra, given its proximity to extensive bushland. Hot, dry conditions during the summer months create a high fire danger, and the area has experienced several bushfires in the past. Climate change is expected to worsen these conditions, increasing the frequency and severity of bushfires.

In addition to flooding and bushfires, Upper Pappinbarra is also facing the challenges of rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. This can impact the health and well-being of residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Addressing these climate risks requires a comprehensive approach that includes mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as adaptation strategies to protect the community and environment. This may involve improving flood defenses, implementing bushfire management practices, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

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 facing Upper Pappinbarra?

The main climate change risks facing Upper Pappinbarra are flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase in the future due to climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Upper Pappinbarra?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to the increasing risks of flooding and bushfires. Buyers should consider these risks when purchasing property in the area.

What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?

Residents can take steps to prepare for climate change impacts by improving flood defenses, implementing bushfire management practices, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Upper Pappinbarra?

MidCoast Council is developing and implementing climate change strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These strategies include improving flood defenses, managing bushfire risks, and promoting sustainable development.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Upper Pappinbarra?

You can find more information about climate change risks in Upper Pappinbarra from the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, NSW Rural Fire Service, and MidCoast 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 Upper Pappinbarra, use our analysis tool.

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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

Climate Risk Profile for Upper Pappinbarra, NSW | ClimateNest