Climate Risk Assessment for Civic, ACT

Civic, Australian Capital Territory· City of Canberra· 2601
Updated Apr 2026

Civic, ACT, faces a moderate climate risk profile. The primary concerns are increasing heatwave intensity and potential flooding from extreme rainfall events. While bushfire risk is relatively low, it's important to consider ember attack potential from surrounding bushland.

Is Civic Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Civic, Australian Capital Territory, 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 Civic

Flood

Civic faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from intense rainfall events that can overwhelm local drainage systems. Development and urbanization have increased the amount of impervious surfaces, contributing to higher runoff volumes.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

Civic has a relatively low bushfire risk due to its urban location and limited vegetation within the immediate vicinity. However, surrounding areas with bushland pose a potential ember attack risk during severe bushfire events.

Key drivers:

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Ember attack potential

Heat

Civic experiences a high risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. The urban heat island effect exacerbates temperatures, leading to increased heat stress for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Civic is not exposed to coastal risks due to its inland location.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Civic

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Civic experiences a high risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. The urban heat island effect exacerbates temperatures, leading to increased heat stress for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Aging population
Data source

flood Risk

Civic faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from intense rainfall events that can overwhelm local drainage systems. Development and urbanization have increased the amount of impervious surfaces, contributing to higher runoff volumes.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Aging infrastructure
Data source

coastal Risk

Civic is not exposed to coastal risks due to its inland location.

Data source

bushfire Risk

Civic has a relatively low bushfire risk due to its urban location and limited vegetation within the immediate vicinity. However, surrounding areas with bushland pose a potential ember attack risk during severe bushfire events.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Ember attack potential
  • ·Fuel load in surrounding areas
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to the rising risk of heatwaves and flooding.

Price Impact

Properties in areas prone to flooding or heat stress may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Consider the potential for ember attack during bushfire season.
  • 4.Review the council's climate change adaptation 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

Implement urban greening strategies

Immediate

Increase tree canopy cover and green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Upgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Improve the capacity and resilience of stormwater drainage systems to manage increased rainfall intensity.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Establish a comprehensive plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach programs.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water-sensitive urban design

Long-term

Incorporate water-sensitive design principles in new developments to reduce runoff and improve water quality.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Community education programs

Near-term

Educate residents and businesses about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Civic's Climate Risk Profile

Civic, located in the heart of Canberra, is the city's central business district and a hub for commercial, retail, and cultural activities. The suburb's climate risk profile is primarily influenced by its urban environment and inland location.

Heatwaves pose a significant threat to Civic, with the urban heat island effect amplifying temperatures during summer months. This can lead to increased heat stress for residents, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The frequency and intensity of heatwaves are projected to increase in the future due to climate change.

Flooding is another concern for Civic, as intense rainfall events can overwhelm the city's drainage systems. Urban development has increased the amount of impervious surfaces, leading to higher runoff volumes and a greater risk of flash flooding. Aging infrastructure may also contribute to the problem.

Bushfire risk is relatively low in Civic due to its urban location. However, surrounding areas with bushland pose a potential ember attack risk during severe bushfire events. It's important for residents and businesses to be aware of this risk and take appropriate precautions.

Coastal risks are not a concern for Civic due to its inland location.

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 Civic?

The main climate change risks for Civic are increasing heatwave intensity and frequency, and potential flooding from extreme rainfall events.

How will climate change affect property values in Civic?

Properties in areas prone to flooding or heat stress may experience a decrease in value.

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

The City of Canberra is implementing various strategies to address climate change, including urban greening, stormwater drainage upgrades, and community education programs.

How can I prepare for heatwaves in Civic?

Stay hydrated, seek shade, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves. Consider installing air conditioning or visiting a cooling center.

What should I do if my property is flooded in Civic?

Contact the ACT Emergency Services Agency for assistance. Move to higher ground and avoid contact with floodwater.

Is Civic considered a bushfire prone area?

While Civic itself is largely urbanized, it is near bushland and therefore ember attack is a risk. Check the ACT Emergency Services Agency website for the latest bushfire risk information.

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 Civic, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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