Climate Risk in Brownsville, NSW

Brownsville, New South Wales· Shellharbour· 2530
Updated May 2026

Brownsville faces moderate risks from flooding and heatwaves, with increasing trends due to climate change. Bushfire risk is also present. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Brownsville Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Brownsville, 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 Brownsville

Flood

Brownsville faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Brownsville is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Brownsville experiences a moderate risk from heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Vulnerable populations are at higher risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Brownsville has a low risk of coastal hazards. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are potential concerns in the long term.

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 Brownsville

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Brownsville experiences a moderate risk from heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Vulnerable populations are at higher risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Brownsville faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Climate change
Data source

coastal Risk

Brownsville has a low risk of coastal hazards. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are potential concerns in the long term.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Brownsville is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Fuel load
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and bushfire risks.

Price Impact

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price reductions.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone areas
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves
  • 3.Review insurance options
  • 4.Consider long-term climate risks

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 infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Implement a heat action plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement community education programs on bushfire preparedness and evacuation plans.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Enhance Emergency Response

Immediate

Strengthen emergency response capabilities to deal with extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation measures to address potential water scarcity issues.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Brownsville's Climate Risk Profile

Brownsville, NSW, is a suburb that faces a range of climate-related risks. The primary concerns are flooding and heatwaves, with bushfire risk also present. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks in the coming decades.

Flooding is a significant concern due to the suburb's proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to both riverine and flash flooding, impacting homes and infrastructure. The risk is projected to increase with climate change, as rainfall intensity is expected to rise.

Heatwaves pose another substantial threat, particularly to vulnerable populations. Rising average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves can lead to heat stress and other health problems. The urban heat island effect may further amplify these risks.

Bushfire risk is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of fire. Residents should be aware of bushfire safety measures and have a plan in place.

Coastal risks are relatively low, but sea level rise and coastal erosion are potential long-term concerns. These factors could impact coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

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 Brownsville?

The main climate risks in Brownsville are flooding, heatwaves, and bushfire. These risks are expected to increase with climate change.

How can I prepare for flooding in Brownsville?

You can prepare for flooding by checking flood maps, having an emergency plan, and ensuring your property is adequately insured.

What should I do during a heatwave in Brownsville?

During a heatwave, stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Seek medical attention if you experience heat stress symptoms.

How can I protect my property from bushfire in Brownsville?

You can protect your property from bushfire by clearing vegetation around your home, having a bushfire survival plan, and following advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

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

Shellharbour City Council is implementing various strategies to address climate change, including improving flood defenses, promoting water conservation, and developing a heat action plan.

Where can I find more information about emergency services in Brownsville?

You can find more information about emergency services on the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) 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 Brownsville, use our analysis tool.

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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