Climate Risk Profile: Esk, QLD

Esk, Queensland· Somerset Regional· 4312
Updated Mar 2026

Esk is a town in the Somerset Region of Queensland, facing moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of these hazards, requiring proactive adaptation measures to protect the community and its assets. The town is not exposed to coastal risks.

Is Esk Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Esk, Queensland, 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 Esk

Flood

Esk faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its location near the Brisbane River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, potentially leading to more frequent and severe flood events.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding

Bushfire

Esk has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Esk experiences moderately high temperatures, particularly during summer. Climate change is expected to lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Esk is located inland and does not face a direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea level rise or coastal erosion.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Esk

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Esk experiences moderately high temperatures, particularly during summer. Climate change is expected to lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Esk faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its location near the Brisbane River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, potentially leading to more frequent and severe flood events.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding
  • ·Urban development
Data source

coastal Risk

Esk is located inland and does not face a direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea level rise or coastal erosion.

Data source

bushfire Risk

Esk has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Vegetation dryness
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to the rising risk of flooding and bushfires.

Price Impact

Properties in flood-prone 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 impact of heatwaves on property value and comfort.
  • 4.Review insurance coverage and potential premium increases.

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

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

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Bushfire Management

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns and vegetation clearing, to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Heatwave Preparedness

Immediate

Develop a heatwave preparedness plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community Awareness Programs

Long-term

Conduct community awareness programs to educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Esk's Climate Risk Profile

Esk, Queensland, is situated inland and is primarily vulnerable to inland climate hazards. The primary concern for Esk is the increasing risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Brisbane River and other waterways. Climate projections indicate that rainfall intensity will increase, leading to more frequent and severe flood events. This poses a threat to residential and commercial properties, as well as critical infrastructure.

Bushfire risk is also a significant concern for Esk, particularly during the dry season. The surrounding bushland creates a potential source of ignition, and hot, dry conditions can quickly escalate fire danger. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to longer fire seasons and more intense bushfires.

Heatwaves are another growing threat to Esk, with rising average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat events. This can have significant impacts on human health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

While Esk is not directly exposed to coastal hazards, the broader impacts of climate change, such as disruptions to supply chains and economic activity, could indirectly affect the town. Therefore, a comprehensive adaptation strategy is needed to address the range of climate risks facing Esk.

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 for Esk?

Esk faces increasing risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves due to climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Esk?

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value due to increased flood risk.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Esk?

The Somerset Regional Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to protect the community from climate risks.

How can I prepare my home for flooding in Esk?

Consider installing flood barriers, elevating appliances, and purchasing flood insurance.

What should I do during a heatwave in Esk?

Stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

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 Esk, 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