Climate Risk in Cataract, NSW
Cataract is a suburb in New South Wales that faces moderate risks from flooding and bushfires. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of these events, requiring residents to take proactive adaptation measures. The suburb also experiences moderate heat risk.
Is Cataract Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cataract, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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Overall Risk Score
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 Cataract
Flood
Cataract faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cataract River and surrounding waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near the riverbanks.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development increasing runoff
Bushfire
Cataract has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading into residential areas.
Key drivers:
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Increased fuel load
Heat
Cataract experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwave events projected in the future. This can impact vulnerable populations and increase energy demand for cooling.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
Coastal
Cataract has a very low coastal risk due to its inland location. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant concerns for this suburb.
Key drivers:
- ·Distance from the coast
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Cataract
Property buying guide with climate risk assessment
Flood zone mapping, historical events, and projections
BAL assessment, vegetation proximity, and fire history
Multi-hazard safety assessment to 2050
Severe weather, hail, and wind risk analysis
Extreme heat days, urban heat island, and cooling costs
Premium estimates and insurance availability
Climate-adjusted property investment analysis
Detailed Hazard Analysis
heat Risk
Cataract experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwave events projected in the future. This can impact vulnerable populations and increase energy demand for cooling.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Cataract faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cataract River and surrounding waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near the riverbanks.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development increasing runoff
- ·Climate change impacts on weather patterns
coastal Risk
Cataract has a very low coastal risk due to its inland location. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not significant concerns for this suburb.
Primary Drivers
- ·Distance from the coast
bushfire Risk
Cataract has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland. Dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading into residential areas.
Primary Drivers
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Increased fuel load
- ·More frequent heatwaves
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase due to the elevated flood and bushfire risks.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to climate change impacts.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area designations.
- 2.Assess property's vulnerability to flooding and bushfires.
- 3.Obtain adequate insurance coverage.
- 4.Develop a bushfire survival plan.
- 5.Consider installing flood mitigation 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
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termConstruct levees and improve drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreBushfire Preparedness
ImmediateImplement bushfire management plans, conduct hazard reduction burns, and educate residents on bushfire safety.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreHeatwave Action Plan
Near-termDevelop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreCommunity Education Programs
Long-termConduct community education programs to raise awareness about climate change risks and adaptation measures.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Cataract's Climate Risk Profile
Cataract, NSW, is located near the Cataract River and is surrounded by bushland, making it susceptible to both flooding and bushfire risks. Climate change projections indicate an increase in extreme weather events, which could exacerbate these risks in the coming years.
Flooding is a significant concern for properties located near the river. Intense rainfall can cause the river to overflow, inundating low-lying areas and potentially damaging homes and infrastructure. The risk is projected to increase with climate change due to more frequent and intense rainfall events.
Bushfire risk is also a factor due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can create ideal conditions for bushfires to spread rapidly. Residents need to be prepared and take necessary precautions to protect their properties.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. It is important to stay hydrated, seek cooler environments, and check on elderly neighbors during heatwave events.
While coastal risks are minimal due to its inland location, the community should focus on mitigating flood, bushfire, and heat risks to ensure long-term resilience.
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
Wollondilly Shire Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Cataract?
The main climate change risks in Cataract are flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to more extreme weather events.
How can I prepare my property for flooding?
You can prepare your property for flooding by installing flood barriers, elevating electrical systems, and ensuring proper drainage.
What should I do during a bushfire?
During a bushfire, follow your bushfire survival plan, stay informed about the fire's progress, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
How can I stay safe during a heatwave?
During a heatwave, stay hydrated, seek cooler environments, and check on elderly neighbors.
Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Cataract?
You can find more information about climate change risks in Cataract on the Wollondilly Shire Council website and the NSW State Emergency Service website.
Get your property's risk report
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What A$49 could save you from
*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA
Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections