Climate Risk Profile: Burnett Heads, QLD
Burnett Heads is a coastal town in Queensland that faces moderate climate risks. The primary concerns are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, which are expected to worsen with climate change. Residents should prepare for these challenges and take steps to adapt to the changing environment.
Is Burnett Heads Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Burnett Heads, 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 Burnett Heads
Part of Burnett Heads is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
27.1% of Burnett Heads 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 Burnett Heads →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Burnett Heads
Flood
Burnett Heads faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Burnett River. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
Bushfire
The bushfire risk in Burnett Heads is relatively low due to the coastal environment and limited vegetation. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the potential for bushfires.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry conditions
- ·Strong winds
Heat
Burnett Heads experiences high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwaves. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heat events, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Coastal
Burnett Heads is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The low-lying coastline is particularly susceptible to these impacts.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Burnett Heads
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
Burnett Heads experiences high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwaves. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heat events, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Burnett Heads faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Burnett River. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Coastal inundation
- ·Riverine flooding
coastal Risk
Burnett Heads is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The low-lying coastline is particularly susceptible to these impacts.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
- ·Coastal erosion
- ·King tides
bushfire Risk
The bushfire risk in Burnett Heads is relatively low due to the coastal environment and limited vegetation. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the potential for bushfires.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry conditions
- ·Strong winds
- ·Vegetation density
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the increasing risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
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 insurance costs.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to coastal erosion.
- 3.Consider the potential impact of heatwaves on energy costs.
- 4.Inquire about local climate adaptation plans.
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-termInvest in levees, drainage improvements, and other flood mitigation measures to protect properties and infrastructure from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreImplement coastal protection strategies
Near-termDevelop and implement coastal protection strategies, such as beach nourishment and seawalls, to reduce coastal erosion and protect coastal assets.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop a heatwave response plan
ImmediateCreate a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn morePromote water conservation
Long-termEncourage water conservation practices to reduce water demand and ensure water security during periods of drought.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreEnhance community awareness
Near-termRaise community awareness about climate change risks and adaptation measures through public education campaigns and community engagement activities.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Burnett Heads's Climate Risk Profile
Burnett Heads, located in the Bundaberg region of Queensland, is a coastal community that is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The town's low-lying geography and proximity to the Burnett River and the coast make it susceptible to flooding, coastal erosion, and storm surges. Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves also pose a significant threat to public health and infrastructure.
The risk of flooding in Burnett Heads is driven by a combination of factors, including increased rainfall intensity, sea level rise, and the potential for riverine flooding from the Burnett River. Coastal erosion is another major concern, as rising sea levels and storm surges can erode beaches and damage coastal infrastructure. The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves can also strain the town's resources and put vulnerable populations at risk.
To address these challenges, it is essential for residents and local authorities to take proactive steps to adapt to climate change. This includes investing in flood mitigation measures, such as levees and drainage improvements, as well as implementing coastal protection strategies to reduce erosion. It is also important to develop heatwave response plans and ensure that vulnerable populations have access to cooling centers and other resources.
By working together, the community of Burnett Heads can build resilience to climate change and protect its environment, economy, and way of life. This requires a commitment to sustainable development, responsible resource management, and a willingness to embrace innovative solutions to the challenges ahead.
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
Bundaberg Regional Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Burnett Heads?
The main climate change risks in Burnett Heads are flooding, coastal erosion, and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase in the coming decades due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall intensity, and rising temperatures.
How will sea level rise affect Burnett Heads?
Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal erosion and inundation in Burnett Heads, potentially damaging properties and infrastructure along the coastline. It will also exacerbate the risk of storm surges during cyclones and other severe weather events.
What can I do to prepare for heatwaves in Burnett Heads?
To prepare for heatwaves, it is important to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and seek out air-conditioned environments. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and people with chronic health conditions, should take extra precautions to stay cool and avoid heat stress.
What is the local council doing to address climate change in Burnett Heads?
The Bundaberg Regional Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation plans to address the risks of climate change in Burnett Heads. These plans include measures to mitigate flooding, protect coastal assets, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Burnett Heads?
You can find more information about climate change risks in Burnett Heads from the Bundaberg Regional Council, the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science, and the CSIRO.
Are insurance premiums likely to increase in Burnett Heads due to climate change?
Yes, insurance premiums are likely to increase in Burnett Heads due to the increasing risk of flooding and coastal erosion. It is important to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and potential premium increases.
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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