Climate Risk in Cleveland, NSW

Cleveland, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Cleveland, NSW, faces increasing climate risks, particularly from flooding and heatwaves. Bushfire and coastal risks are also present. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Cleveland Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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

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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 Cleveland

Flood

Cleveland faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity is expected to exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The risk of bushfires in Cleveland is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Cleveland is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Cleveland faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to sea level rise. This includes potential for increased erosion and inundation.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Cleveland

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Cleveland is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Cleveland faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity is expected to exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Urban development
Data source

coastal Risk

Cleveland faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to sea level rise. This includes potential for increased erosion and inundation.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfires in Cleveland is moderate, influenced by surrounding vegetation and dry conditions. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Vegetation dryness
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to increased flood and bushfire risk.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price stagnation or decline.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area overlays.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Inquire about past flood or bushfire events.
  • 4.Consider the long-term impacts of climate change on property value.

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 stormwater drainage

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement a heatwave response plan

Immediate

Develop a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Bushfire hazard reduction

Near-term

Conduct regular bushfire hazard reduction activities in areas surrounding Cleveland.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Coastal erosion monitoring

Long-term

Monitor coastal areas for erosion and implement measures to protect vulnerable infrastructure.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Cleveland's Climate Risk Profile

Cleveland is a suburb in New South Wales that is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding due to increased rainfall intensity and proximity to waterways, as well as more frequent and intense heatwaves.

Bushfire risk is also a concern, with hotter and drier conditions expected to increase the likelihood of fires. Coastal risks, such as erosion and inundation from sea level rise, are also present, though potentially less immediate than other threats.

These climate change impacts can affect property values, insurance costs, and overall quality of life in Cleveland. It is important for residents and local authorities to take proactive measures to adapt to these changes.

Understanding these risks and implementing appropriate adaptation strategies will be crucial for ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of Cleveland.

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 in Cleveland?

The main risks are increased flooding, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and bushfire risk.

How will climate change affect property values in Cleveland?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price stagnation or decline.

What is the council doing to address climate change?

The council is developing a climate strategy and implementing measures to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

How can I prepare my home for a heatwave?

Install air conditioning or fans, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Cleveland?

You can find flood maps and information on the council website and the NSW State Emergency Service 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 Cleveland, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Cleveland's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

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

Climate Risk in Cleveland, NSW | ClimateNest