What the mapping shows for Mackay

  • Part of Mackay is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.

    25.2% of Mackay 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.

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📮 Mackay postcode: 4740

Flood Risk in Mackay, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Mackay, Queensland· Mackay Regional Council· 4740
Mackay is prone to flooding due to its location near the Pioneer River and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 2 Apr 2026

25.2% of Mackay is mapped as part of the Queensland coastal management district (coastal management district declared under the Coastal Management Act 2016)

That figure covers the suburb. Check whether your address is inside it - address-level, sourced, A$49.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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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Flood Risk Score

Not assessed

Mackay is prone to flooding due to its location near the Pioneer River and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Mackay is prone to flooding due to its location near the Pioneer River and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Mackay, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4740
Region
Mackay Region
Median property value
$550,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat

Flood Risk Analysis

Mackay, located in Queensland, has a location-specific flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across Queensland.

Historical flood events have impacted residential and commercial areas in Mackay.

Mackay is prone to flooding due to its location near the Pioneer River and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, exacerbating flood risk.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

Mackay located in Mackay Region (postcode 4740), is a Queensland suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $550,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Mackay.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk for Mackay in this type is extreme heat. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+25% by 2030). The actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Mackay, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Mackay are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayPioneer River
Elevation Range0-30 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas along the Pioneer River and low-lying coastal areas are prone to flooding.

Historical Events

2023
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of Mackay, leading to road closures and property damage.

2008
Major

Severe flooding occurred in Mackay following heavy rainfall, causing widespread damage and disruption.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to reduce flood risk, such as levees, drainage systems, and flood-resistant building codes.

Est. cost: High

Protect Coastal Areas

Near-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and mangrove restoration.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Develop a comprehensive heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation through education, incentives, and water-efficient technologies to reduce the strain on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Mackay Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 April 2026

Explore Mackay Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mackay at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Mackay has a location-specific flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Mackay?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Mackay depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in Mackay?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Mackay. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in Mackay?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Mackay typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

Is Mackay Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Mackay, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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