Climate Risk Profile: Borroloola, NT

Borroloola, Northern Territory
Updated Mar 2026

Borroloola faces significant climate change risks, particularly from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. The town's low-lying location and coastal proximity make it vulnerable to rising sea levels and intense rainfall events. Proactive adaptation measures are crucial to mitigate these risks and protect the community.

Is Borroloola Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Borroloola, Northern Territory, 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 Borroloola

Flood

Borroloola is highly susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying location near the McArthur River and coastal proximity. Intense rainfall events and riverine flooding pose significant risks to properties and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The risk of bushfires in Borroloola is moderate, with dry vegetation surrounding the town. Increased temperatures and prolonged dry seasons contribute to heightened fire danger.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Prolonged dry seasons

Heat

Borroloola experiences high temperatures, particularly during the summer months. Climate change is expected to exacerbate heatwaves, posing health risks to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • ·Deforestation

Coastal

Borroloola faces coastal risks due to its proximity to the coast. Sea level rise and storm surges can lead to inundation and erosion, impacting coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge intensity

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Borroloola

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Borroloola experiences high temperatures, particularly during the summer months. Climate change is expected to exacerbate heatwaves, posing health risks to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • ·Deforestation
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Borroloola is highly susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying location near the McArthur River and coastal proximity. Intense rainfall events and riverine flooding pose significant risks to properties and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Riverine overflow
Data source

coastal Risk

Borroloola faces coastal risks due to its proximity to the coast. Sea level rise and storm surges can lead to inundation and erosion, impacting coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge intensity
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfires in Borroloola is moderate, with dry vegetation surrounding the town. Increased temperatures and prolonged dry seasons contribute to heightened fire danger.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Prolonged dry seasons
  • ·Vegetation dryness
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the increasing risk of flooding, bushfires, and coastal hazards.

Price Impact

Climate change risks may negatively impact property values in Borroloola, particularly for properties located in flood-prone or coastal areas.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to bushfires.
  • 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise.
  • 4.Obtain a building inspection to identify any structural issues.
  • 5.Review insurance options and premiums.

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

Immediate

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

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Improve Building Codes

Near-term

Update building codes to require new buildings to be more resilient to flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement Early Warning Systems

Immediate

Develop and implement early warning systems for flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves to provide timely alerts to the community.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Relocate Vulnerable Infrastructure

Long-term

Relocate critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and power plants, away from flood-prone or coastal areas.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Community Education Programs

Near-term

Implement community education programs to raise awareness about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Borroloola's Climate Risk Profile

Borroloola, located in the Northern Territory, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from the McArthur River and coastal inundation due to sea level rise. Rising temperatures and prolonged dry seasons also contribute to heightened bushfire risk.

The town's low elevation and proximity to the coast make it particularly susceptible to flooding. Intense rainfall events can cause the McArthur River to overflow, inundating properties and disrupting infrastructure. Sea level rise exacerbates the risk of coastal flooding and erosion, threatening coastal ecosystems and infrastructure.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing health risks to vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. The combination of high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat stress and other heat-related illnesses.

Bushfire risk is also increasing due to climate change. Prolonged dry seasons and increased temperatures create favorable conditions for bushfires to ignite and spread rapidly. These fires can threaten properties, disrupt transportation, and impact air quality.

Addressing these climate change risks requires a comprehensive approach that includes adaptation measures to reduce vulnerability and mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in flood defenses, improving building codes, and implementing early warning systems are essential steps to protect the community of Borroloola.

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 Borroloola?

Borroloola faces significant climate change risks, including flooding, heatwaves, bushfires, and coastal hazards. The town's low-lying location and coastal proximity make it particularly vulnerable to these risks.

How will climate change affect property values in Borroloola?

Climate change risks may negatively impact property values in Borroloola, particularly for properties located in flood-prone or coastal areas. Buyers should consider these risks when purchasing property.

What adaptation measures are being implemented in Borroloola to address climate change?

Adaptation measures being implemented in Borroloola include upgrading flood defenses, improving building codes, implementing early warning systems, and relocating vulnerable infrastructure.

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

More information about climate change risks in Borroloola can be found on the websites of the Roper Gulf Regional Council, the Northern Territory Government, and the Bureau of Meteorology.

What can I do to protect my property from climate change risks in Borroloola?

To protect your property from climate change risks in Borroloola, you can take steps such as raising the elevation of your property, installing flood barriers, clearing vegetation around your home, and purchasing appropriate insurance coverage.

Is Borroloola prepared for future climate change impacts?

Borroloola is taking steps to prepare for future climate change impacts, but more needs to be done. Continued investment in adaptation measures and community education is essential to protect the town from the increasing risks of climate change.

Get your property's risk report

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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 Borroloola, NT | ClimateNest