Climate Risk Profile: Burketown, QLD
Burketown faces significant climate change risks, particularly from flooding and coastal hazards. The town's low-lying location makes it vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, while intense rainfall events can cause the Albert River to overflow. Residents should prepare for more frequent and severe extreme weather events.
Is Burketown Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Burketown, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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Overall Risk Score
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.
What the mapping shows for Burketown
Part of Burketown is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
53.1% of Burketown is mapped as part of the Queensland coastal management district (coastal management district declared under the Coastal Management Act 2016)
Queensland Coastal Management District, State of Queensland (Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation), Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-23
This is a share of the suburb's land area from a published state dataset, not an assessment of any property. A ClimateNest report scores the individual address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.
Check an address in Burketown →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Burketown
Flood
Burketown is highly susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Albert River. Intense rainfall events can cause the river to overflow, inundating the town.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Burketown is relatively low due to the sparse vegetation and flat terrain surrounding the town. However, dry grass and scrub can still pose a fire hazard during the dry season.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Burketown experiences extreme heat during the summer months, with average maximum temperatures frequently exceeding 35°C. Climate change is expected to exacerbate heatwaves, increasing the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Coastal
Burketown is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards due to its low elevation and exposure to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Sea level rise and storm surges pose a significant threat to infrastructure and property.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Burketown
Property buying guide with climate risk assessment
Flood zone mapping, historical events, and projections
BAL assessment, vegetation proximity, and fire history
Multi-hazard safety assessment to 2050
Severe weather, hail, and wind risk analysis
Extreme heat days, urban heat island, and cooling costs
Premium estimates and insurance availability
Climate-adjusted property investment analysis
Detailed Hazard Analysis
heat Risk
Burketown experiences extreme heat during the summer months, with average maximum temperatures frequently exceeding 35°C. Climate change is expected to exacerbate heatwaves, increasing the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
flood Risk
Burketown is highly susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Albert River. Intense rainfall events can cause the river to overflow, inundating the town.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
coastal Risk
Burketown is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards due to its low elevation and exposure to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Sea level rise and storm surges pose a significant threat to infrastructure and property.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Burketown is relatively low due to the sparse vegetation and flat terrain surrounding the town. However, dry grass and scrub can still pose a fire hazard during the dry season.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
- ·Wind
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Increasing premiums and potential difficulty obtaining coverage due to flood and coastal risks.
Price Impact
Potential for decreased property values due to increased climate risks.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surges.
- 3.Inquire about insurance costs and availability.
- 4.Consider the potential impact of climate change on property values.
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
ImmediateInvest in infrastructure to protect Burketown from increased flooding, such as levees, improved drainage systems, and flood-proofing buildings.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop a Heat Action Plan
Near-termImplement a heat action plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreCoastal Protection Measures
Near-termImplement coastal protection measures to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and storm surges, such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and mangrove restoration.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreCommunity Education and Awareness
Long-termRaise community awareness about climate change risks and adaptation measures through public education campaigns and workshops.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Burketown's Climate Risk Profile
Burketown, situated in the Gulf Country of Queensland, is a town that faces a unique set of climate-related challenges. Its low-lying coastal location makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and storm surges. The Albert River, which flows through the town, also poses a significant flood risk during periods of heavy rainfall.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate these existing vulnerabilities. Rising sea levels will increase the frequency and severity of coastal inundation, threatening homes, businesses, and infrastructure. More intense rainfall events will lead to more frequent and severe flooding, potentially isolating the town and disrupting essential services.
In addition to coastal and flood risks, Burketown also experiences extreme heat during the summer months. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a risk to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
While bushfire risk is relatively low compared to other parts of Queensland, dry grass and scrub surrounding the town can still pose a fire hazard during the dry season. Residents should take precautions to reduce the risk of bushfires and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Addressing these climate change risks will require a coordinated effort from all levels of government, as well as the local community. Adaptation measures such as raising building heights, improving drainage infrastructure, and implementing early warning systems can help to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is also essential to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change.
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 Burketown?
Burketown is primarily at risk from flooding, coastal inundation due to sea level rise, and extreme heat events. Bushfire risk is lower but still present.
How will sea level rise affect Burketown?
Sea level rise will increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding, potentially inundating low-lying areas and damaging infrastructure.
What can I do to prepare for flooding in Burketown?
Stay informed about flood warnings, develop a flood plan, and consider flood-proofing your home. Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage.
Where can I find information about emergency services in Burketown?
You can find information about emergency services on the Queensland Police Service website.
What is the local council doing to address climate change in Burketown?
Currently, information on specific council climate strategies is unavailable. Contacting the council directly is recommended for the most up-to-date information.
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 Burketown, use our analysis tool.
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What A$49 could save you from
*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA
Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections