Climate Risk in Burrum Heads, QLD
Burrum Heads is a coastal town in Queensland that faces several climate-related risks. The primary concerns are flooding, coastal erosion, and increasing heat. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
Is Burrum Heads Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Burrum 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 Burrum Heads
Part of Burrum Heads is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
76.3% of Burrum 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 Burrum Heads →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Burrum Heads
Flood
Burrum Heads is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Burrum River. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
While not as high as other areas, Burrum Heads faces some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions can increase the likelihood of fire.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Increased temperatures
Heat
Burrum Heads experiences hot summers, and increasing temperatures due to climate change will exacerbate heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
As a coastal community, Burrum Heads is vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. Increased storm surge can also impact the area.
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 Burrum 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
Burrum Heads experiences hot summers, and increasing temperatures due to climate change will exacerbate heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Burrum Heads is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Burrum River. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
coastal Risk
As a coastal community, Burrum Heads is vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. Increased storm surge can also impact the area.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
While not as high as other areas, Burrum Heads faces some bushfire risk due to surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions can increase the likelihood of fire.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Wind patterns
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to increased climate risks.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
- 2.Assess bushfire risk and implement mitigation measures.
- 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
- 4.Ensure adequate insurance coverage.
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-termInvest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreStrengthen Coastal Protection
Near-termImplement measures to protect against coastal erosion, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop Heat Action Plan
ImmediateCreate a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreEnhance Bushfire Preparedness
Long-termImplement measures to reduce bushfire risk, such as vegetation management and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreAbout Burrum Heads's Climate Risk Profile
Burrum Heads, located in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland, is a charming coastal community known for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle. However, like many coastal areas, it is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Flooding is a significant concern for Burrum Heads due to its low-lying topography and proximity to the Burrum River. Heavy rainfall events can cause the river to overflow, inundating homes and businesses. Sea level rise and storm surge further exacerbate the risk of coastal flooding.
Bushfire risk is present due to the surrounding bushland, although it is not as severe as in some other regions. Hot, dry conditions can increase the likelihood of bushfires, posing a threat to properties and the environment.
Rising temperatures are also a concern, with Burrum Heads experiencing increasingly hot summers. This can lead to heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Coastal erosion is another significant threat, with sea level rise and increased storm intensity contributing to the loss of beaches and damage to coastal infrastructure. Protecting the coastline is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Burrum Heads.
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
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Burrum Heads?
The main risks are flooding, coastal erosion, and increasing heatwaves.
How is the council addressing climate change?
The Fraser Coast Regional Council is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.
What can I do to prepare for flooding?
Stay informed about flood warnings, prepare an emergency kit, and have a plan for evacuating your home if necessary.
How can I protect my property from bushfires?
Maintain your property by clearing vegetation, installing firebreaks, and having a bushfire survival plan.
Where can I find more information about climate change in Burrum Heads?
You can find more information on the Fraser Coast Regional Council website, the Queensland Government website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Get your property's risk report
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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