Climate Risk Profile: Burwood Heights, NSW

Burwood Heights, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Burwood Heights faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding and heatwaves. While bushfire and coastal risks are low, the increasing intensity of rainfall and rising temperatures pose challenges for the community.

Is Burwood Heights Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Burwood Heights, 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 Burwood Heights

Flood

Burwood Heights faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential stormwater runoff. The area's topography and existing drainage infrastructure contribute to this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

The bushfire risk in Burwood Heights is relatively low due to its urban location and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves could pose a threat during extreme weather conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Proximity to green spaces
  • ·Dry vegetation

Heat

Burwood Heights experiences a moderate risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Urban heat island effect can exacerbate the impact on vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Coastal risks are negligible in Burwood Heights due to its distance from the coastline. Sea level rise and coastal erosion do not pose a direct threat to the suburb.

Key drivers:

  • ·Distance from coast

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

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Social

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Burwood Heights

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Burwood Heights experiences a moderate risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Urban heat island effect can exacerbate the impact on vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Lack of green spaces
Data source

flood Risk

Burwood Heights faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential stormwater runoff. The area's topography and existing drainage infrastructure contribute to this risk.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

Coastal risks are negligible in Burwood Heights due to its distance from the coastline. Sea level rise and coastal erosion do not pose a direct threat to the suburb.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Distance from coast
Data source

bushfire Risk

The bushfire risk in Burwood Heights is relatively low due to its urban location and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves could pose a threat during extreme weather conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Proximity to green spaces
  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Wind patterns
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Increased premiums possible due to flood risk.

Price Impact

Potential for moderate price impact in flood-prone areas.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood history of the property.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Inquire about council's climate adaptation plans.
  • 4.Review insurance coverage for climate-related events.

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

Immediate

Invest in upgrading stormwater drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Increase Green Spaces

Near-term

Plant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement Heatwave Early Warning System

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community Education Programs

Long-term

Conduct community education programs to raise awareness about climate risks and promote adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Burwood Heights's Climate Risk Profile

Burwood Heights, located in New South Wales, is subject to a range of climate-related risks that are expected to intensify in the coming decades. The primary concerns are flooding due to increased rainfall intensity and heatwaves exacerbated by the urban heat island effect.

Flooding is a significant concern, with potential for stormwater runoff to overwhelm existing drainage infrastructure. Climate change projections indicate an increase in extreme rainfall events, which could lead to more frequent and severe flooding.

Heatwaves are another major risk, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The urban environment tends to trap heat, making heatwaves more intense and prolonged.

While bushfire risk is relatively low due to the suburb's urban location, it is not entirely absent. Nearby parks and reserves could pose a threat during dry and windy conditions. Coastal risks are minimal due to the suburb's distance from the coast.

Addressing these climate risks will require a combination of adaptation and mitigation strategies, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, increasing green spaces, and implementing heatwave early warning systems.

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 Burwood Heights?

The main climate change risks for Burwood Heights are increased flooding due to more intense rainfall events and more frequent and severe heatwaves.

How is the council preparing for climate change?

Burwood Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation plans, including upgrading drainage infrastructure and increasing green spaces.

What can residents do to prepare for heatwaves?

Residents can stay cool by staying indoors, drinking plenty of water, and using air conditioning or fans. It's also important to check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Where can I find information about flood risks in my area?

You can find information about flood risks on the Burwood Council website or by contacting the State Emergency Service (SES).

Are there any community programs to help residents adapt to climate change?

Burwood Council offers various community programs and resources to help residents adapt to climate change, including workshops and educational materials.

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 Burwood Heights, 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