Climate Risk Assessment for Howard, QLD
Howard, Queensland, faces increasing climate risks, particularly from flooding and heatwaves. The town's proximity to the Burrum River and surrounding bushland increases its vulnerability to these hazards. Climate change projections indicate a worsening of these risks in the coming decades.
Is Howard Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Howard, 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 Howard
Part of Howard is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
0.6% of Howard 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 Howard →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Howard
Flood
Howard is located near the Burrum River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Howard has areas of bushland surrounding the town, making it vulnerable to bushfires, especially during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and droughts, exacerbating bushfire risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Howard is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This will increase the risk of heat stress and heatstroke, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Coastal
Howard is located inland, but is still indirectly affected by coastal hazards. Sea level rise can exacerbate flooding in the Burrum River, and changes in coastal weather patterns can affect rainfall and storm intensity.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Howard
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
Howard is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This will increase the risk of heat stress and heatstroke, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Howard is located near the Burrum River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Riverine flooding
coastal Risk
Howard is located inland, but is still indirectly affected by coastal hazards. Sea level rise can exacerbate flooding in the Burrum River, and changes in coastal weather patterns can affect rainfall and storm intensity.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Howard has areas of bushland surrounding the town, making it vulnerable to bushfires, especially during dry periods. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and droughts, exacerbating bushfire risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Vegetation dryness
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the increasing 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 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
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termConstruct levees and improve drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreBushfire Mitigation
Near-termImplement bushfire mitigation measures such as clearing vegetation around properties and creating firebreaks.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreHeatwave Preparedness
ImmediateDevelop a heatwave preparedness plan and establish cooling centers for vulnerable populations.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreCommunity Education
Long-termEducate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreUpgrade Infrastructure
Long-termUpgrade critical infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Howard's Climate Risk Profile
Howard is a town in the Fraser Coast Region of Queensland, located near the Burrum River. The town's climate is subtropical, with warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Climate change is expected to significantly impact Howard, primarily through increased flooding, bushfire risk, and heatwaves.
Flooding is a major concern for Howard due to its location near the Burrum River. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are projected to exacerbate flooding events, potentially damaging property and infrastructure. Bushfire risk is also expected to increase due to hotter, drier conditions, posing a threat to homes and businesses.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, increasing the risk of heat stress and heatstroke, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. The town's infrastructure and emergency services will need to adapt to cope with these increasing risks.
Coastal hazards, while not directly impacting Howard, can indirectly affect the town through changes in weather patterns and increased flooding in the Burrum River. It is important for residents and businesses to be aware of these risks and take steps to prepare for them.
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 Howard?
The main climate change risks in Howard are increased flooding, bushfire risk, and heatwaves.
How will climate change affect property values in Howard?
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value due to increased flood risk.
What can I do to prepare for heatwaves in Howard?
Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and seek shelter in air-conditioned environments.
Where can I find information about flood risks in Howard?
You can find information about flood risks on the Fraser Coast Regional Council website and the Queensland Government website.
What is the council doing to address climate change in Howard?
The Fraser Coast Regional Council is developing and implementing climate change adaptation strategies to reduce the risks to the community.
Are there any grants available for climate change adaptation measures?
Check the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Queensland Government websites for information on available grants.
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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