Climate Risk Profile: Ingham, QLD
Ingham faces significant risks from flooding due to its location in a floodplain. The town is also vulnerable to heatwaves and indirect impacts from coastal hazards. Climate change is projected to increase the severity and frequency of these events.
Is Ingham Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Ingham, 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.
Climate Hazard Breakdown for Ingham
Flood
Ingham is located in a floodplain area and is highly susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and river overflows.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise impacting drainage
Bushfire
The risk of bushfires in Ingham is moderate, with potential for grassfires and bushfires impacting the outskirts of the town.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Heat
Ingham experiences high temperatures and humidity, leading to heat stress during summer months. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Coastal
Ingham is located inland, but is still indirectly affected by coastal hazards such as storm surges and sea level rise impacting nearby coastal communities and infrastructure.
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 Ingham
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
Ingham experiences high temperatures and humidity, leading to heat stress during summer months. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Ingham is located in a floodplain area and is highly susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and river overflows.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise impacting drainage
- ·Land use changes increasing runoff
coastal Risk
Ingham is located inland, but is still indirectly affected by coastal hazards such as storm surges and sea level rise impacting nearby coastal communities and infrastructure.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
The risk of bushfires in Ingham is moderate, with potential for grassfires and bushfires impacting the outskirts of the town.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
- ·Human ignition sources
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Premiums are likely to increase due to flood risk.
Price Impact
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price reductions.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
- 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Consider potential impacts from coastal hazards.
- 4.Review council's disaster management plan.
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 levees, drainage systems, and flood-proofing measures to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop a heatwave management plan
Near-termImplement strategies to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, such as cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreStrengthen building codes
Near-termUpdate building codes to ensure new construction is resilient to flooding, bushfires, and extreme heat.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreEnhance community awareness
Long-termEducate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures through workshops, brochures, and online resources.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Ingham's Climate Risk Profile
Ingham is situated in the Hinchinbrook Shire and is particularly vulnerable to flooding. The Herbert River and other waterways contribute to the flood risk, with heavy rainfall events causing significant inundation. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating the flood risk in the region.
Bushfire risk is moderate, with potential for fires to spread from surrounding bushland. Hot and dry conditions during the dry season increase the likelihood of bushfires. Heatwaves are also a concern, with rising temperatures posing health risks to vulnerable populations.
While Ingham is not directly on the coast, it is indirectly affected by coastal hazards. Sea level rise and storm surges can impact nearby coastal communities and infrastructure, potentially disrupting supply chains and access to essential services.
Adapting to these climate risks will require a combination of infrastructure improvements, land use planning, and community awareness programs. Protecting the town from flooding is a key priority, along with managing bushfire risk and mitigating the impacts of heatwaves. Collaboration between local government, state agencies, and the community is essential to building resilience to 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
Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Ingham?
The main climate change risks in Ingham are flooding, heatwaves, and indirect impacts from coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of these events.
How is the council preparing for climate change?
The Hinchinbrook Shire Council is developing strategies to manage climate risks, including upgrading flood defenses, implementing heatwave management plans, and enhancing community awareness.
What can I do to protect my property from flooding?
You can protect your property from flooding by installing flood-proofing measures, such as raising electrical outlets and sealing walls. It's also important to have a flood emergency plan.
How can I stay safe during a heatwave?
During a heatwave, it's important to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity, and seek shelter in air-conditioned environments. Check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
Will climate change affect property values in Ingham?
Climate change may affect property values in Ingham, particularly in flood-prone areas. Properties that are more resilient to climate risks may retain their value better.
Where can I find more information about climate change in Ingham?
You can find more information about climate change in Ingham on the Hinchinbrook Shire Council website, the Queensland Government website, and the CSIRO website.
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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