Climate Risk Assessment for Tharwa, ACT

Tharwa, Australian Capital Territory· 2620
Updated Mar 2026

Tharwa, ACT, faces increasing risks from flooding and bushfires due to climate change. The suburb is also expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Residents should prepare for these hazards and take steps to protect their properties.

Is Tharwa Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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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 Tharwa

Flood

Tharwa faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River. Riverine flooding can occur after periods of heavy rainfall.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in river flow patterns

Bushfire

Tharwa has a high bushfire risk due to its location surrounded by bushland. Grassfires and bushfires pose a significant threat during dry periods.

Key drivers:

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased fuel load

Heat

Tharwa experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Tharwa is not exposed to coastal risks.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Tharwa

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Tharwa experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Tharwa faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Murrumbidgee River. Riverine flooding can occur after periods of heavy rainfall.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Changes in river flow patterns
Data source

coastal Risk

Tharwa is not exposed to coastal risks.

Data source

bushfire Risk

Tharwa has a high bushfire risk due to its location surrounded by bushland. Grassfires and bushfires pose a significant threat during dry periods.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Increased fuel load
  • ·Higher temperatures
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the increased risk of flooding and bushfires.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood and bushfire risk maps.
  • 2.Review insurance coverage.
  • 3.Assess property's vulnerability to climate hazards.
  • 4.Develop a bushfire survival plan.
  • 5.Consider flood protection measures.

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

Develop a Bushfire Survival Plan

Immediate

Create a detailed plan for evacuating your property in the event of a bushfire. Practice the plan regularly with your family.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Maintain Firebreaks

Near-term

Clear vegetation around your property to create firebreaks. This will help to slow the spread of bushfires.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Invest in Flood Protection Measures

Long-term

Consider installing flood barriers or raising the foundation of your home to protect it from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Improve Home Cooling

Near-term

Install air conditioning or fans to help keep your home cool during heatwaves. Plant trees to provide shade.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Tharwa's Climate Risk Profile

Tharwa is a small village located in the Australian Capital Territory, south of Canberra. The primary climate risks for Tharwa include flooding from the Murrumbidgee River and bushfires due to the surrounding bushland.

Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks. Increased rainfall intensity could lead to more frequent and severe flooding events. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase the risk of bushfires.

The community should take proactive measures to mitigate these risks, including maintaining firebreaks, developing evacuation plans, and investing in flood protection measures.

Homeowners should review their insurance policies to ensure they are adequately covered for flood and bushfire damage. It is also important to stay informed about weather forecasts and emergency warnings.

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 risks in Tharwa?

The main climate risks in Tharwa are flooding from the Murrumbidgee River, bushfires due to the surrounding bushland, and heatwaves.

How can I prepare for a bushfire in Tharwa?

You can prepare for a bushfire by developing a bushfire survival plan, maintaining firebreaks around your property, and staying informed about weather forecasts and emergency warnings.

What should I do during a flood in Tharwa?

During a flood, you should evacuate to higher ground if necessary. Avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. Stay informed about emergency warnings and follow the instructions of emergency services.

How is climate change affecting Tharwa?

Climate change is increasing the risk of flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves in Tharwa. Increased rainfall intensity could lead to more frequent and severe flooding events. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase the risk of bushfires. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense.

Where can I find more information about climate change in the ACT?

You can find more information about climate change in the ACT on the ACT Government's website.

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 Tharwa, 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

Climate Risk Assessment for Tharwa, ACT | ClimateNest