Climate Risk Profile: Barangaroo, NSW

Barangaroo, New South Wales· City of Sydney· 2000
Updated May 2026

Barangaroo faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity are key drivers of these risks. Residents and businesses should take steps to adapt to these changing conditions.

Is Barangaroo Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Barangaroo, New South Wales, 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 Barangaroo

Flood

Barangaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to Sydney Harbour. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased rainfall intensity

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Barangaroo is low due to its highly urbanized environment and lack of significant vegetation. However, embers from distant fires could still pose a threat.

Key drivers:

  • ·Urban density
  • ·Limited vegetation

Heat

Barangaroo is susceptible to heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. The urban heat island effect can amplify temperatures, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Climate change

Coastal

As a coastal suburb, Barangaroo is exposed to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. This could lead to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

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Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Barangaroo

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Barangaroo is susceptible to heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. The urban heat island effect can amplify temperatures, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Climate change
  • ·Limited green space
Data source

flood Risk

Barangaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to Sydney Harbour. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Storm surge
Data source

coastal Risk

As a coastal suburb, Barangaroo is exposed to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. This could lead to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Barangaroo is low due to its highly urbanized environment and lack of significant vegetation. However, embers from distant fires could still pose a threat.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Urban density
  • ·Limited vegetation
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Premiums may increase due to flood and coastal risks.

Price Impact

Potential for decreased property values in flood-prone areas.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to sea level rise.
  • 3.Consider the potential for heat stress during summer months.

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 drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in improved drainage systems to reduce the risk of flash flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement green infrastructure

Near-term

Increase green space and tree cover to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Strengthen coastal defenses

Long-term

Construct seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against sea level rise and storm surges.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Develop heatwave response plan

Immediate

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

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Barangaroo's Climate Risk Profile

Barangaroo, a modern waterfront precinct in Sydney, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Its low-lying coastal location makes it particularly susceptible to flooding from sea level rise and storm surges. The urban environment also contributes to the urban heat island effect, exacerbating heatwave conditions.

Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to Barangaroo's infrastructure and waterfront areas. Increased rainfall intensity can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flash flooding. The combination of these factors could disrupt business operations, damage property, and pose risks to public safety.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in Sydney, and Barangaroo is not immune. The lack of green space and the abundance of concrete and asphalt contribute to higher temperatures, particularly at night. This can lead to heat stress and other health problems, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

While the risk of bushfire is relatively low due to the urban nature of Barangaroo, embers from distant fires could still pose a threat. It is important to maintain awareness of bushfire risks and take precautions to protect property.

Adapting to climate change will require a multi-faceted approach, including investments in flood protection infrastructure, green infrastructure to mitigate the urban heat island effect, and community education programs to raise awareness of climate risks.

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 facing Barangaroo?

Barangaroo is primarily at risk from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to its low-lying coastal location and urban environment.

How will sea level rise affect Barangaroo?

Sea level rise could lead to inundation of low-lying areas, damage to infrastructure, and increased flooding during storm surges.

What is the urban heat island effect and how does it impact Barangaroo?

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to the abundance of concrete and asphalt. This can exacerbate heatwave conditions in Barangaroo.

What is the City of Sydney doing to address climate change in Barangaroo?

The City of Sydney is implementing a range of measures to address climate change, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, implementing green infrastructure, and developing a heatwave response plan.

How can residents and businesses in Barangaroo prepare for climate change?

Residents and businesses can prepare for climate change by checking flood maps, assessing their property's vulnerability to sea level rise, and taking steps to reduce their exposure to heat stress during summer months.

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 Barangaroo, use our analysis tool.

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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