Climate Risk in Balgownie, NSW

Balgownie, New South Wales· Wollongong· 2519

Updated May 2026

Balgownie faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of these hazards, posing challenges for the community and infrastructure. Residents should prepare for more extreme weather events and take steps to adapt to a changing climate.

Is Balgownie Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Balgownie, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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$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 Balgownie

Flood

Balgownie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to creeks and the potential for heavy rainfall. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Urban development

Bushfire

Balgownie has a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Key drivers:

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions

Heat

Balgownie is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Key drivers:

·Rising temperatures
·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Balgownie faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting coastal infrastructure and communities.

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 Balgownie

Should I Buy

Property buying guide with climate risk assessment

Flood Risk

Flood zone mapping, historical events, and projections

Bushfire Risk

BAL assessment, vegetation proximity, and fire history

Climate Safety

Multi-hazard safety assessment to 2050

Storm Risk

Severe weather, hail, and wind risk analysis

Heat Risk

Extreme heat days, urban heat island, and cooling costs

Insurance Costs

Premium estimates and insurance availability

Investment Score

Climate-adjusted property investment analysis

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Primary Drivers

·Rising temperatures
·Urban heat island effect

Data source

flood Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Urban development
·Creek overflow

Data source

coastal Risk

Primary Drivers

·Sea level rise
·Increased storm intensity

Data source

bushfire Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions
·Strong winds

Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to climate risks.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price fluctuations.

Buyer Checklist

1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area status.
2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
3.Consider long-term climate risks when making purchasing decisions.
4.Review insurance options and potential premium increases.

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-term

Invest in flood mitigation infrastructure, such as levees and drainage improvements, to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Reduce Bushfire Risk

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs, to reduce the risk of bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Prepare for Heatwaves

Immediate

Develop a heatwave plan and provide cooling centers for vulnerable populations to reduce the health impacts of heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Plan for Sea Level Rise

Long-term

Incorporate sea level rise projections into coastal planning and development decisions to ensure that new development is resilient to coastal hazards.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Balgownie's Climate Risk Profile

Balgownie, located in the Wollongong region of New South Wales, is exposed to a range of climate-related risks. The suburb's proximity to creeks and bushland makes it vulnerable to flooding and bushfires, while rising temperatures and sea levels pose additional challenges.

Flooding is a significant concern for Balgownie, with the potential for heavy rainfall to cause creek overflow and inundation of low-lying areas. Climate change is projected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk and potentially impacting homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

The suburb also faces a moderate bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can create a high fire danger, threatening homes and lives. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather, making it crucial for residents to be prepared.

Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves are another concern for Balgownie. Climate change is projected to lead to hotter summers, posing a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. Residents should take steps to stay cool and hydrated during heatwaves.

Finally, Balgownie faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting coastal infrastructure and communities. Long-term planning and adaptation measures are needed to address these challenges.

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

Wollongong City Council

Climate Strategy Flood Maps Emergency Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate risks facing Balgownie?

Balgownie faces risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of these hazards.

How will climate change affect property values in Balgownie?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price fluctuations due to climate change. It is important to consider long-term climate risks when making purchasing decisions.

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

Wollongong City Council is developing and implementing climate change strategies to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

How can I prepare my home for a flood in Balgownie?

You can prepare your home for a flood by raising electrical outlets, installing flood barriers, and creating a flood emergency plan.

What should I do during a heatwave in Balgownie?

During a heatwave, you should stay cool and hydrated, avoid strenuous activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

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 Balgownie, use our analysis tool.

Analyse a Property in Balgownie →

Check Your flood Risk Now

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Get Your flood Risk Report — A$49

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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