Climate Risk in Coniston, NSW

Coniston, New South Wales· Wollongong· 2500
Updated May 2026

Coniston is a suburb in Wollongong, NSW, that faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, particularly through increased rainfall intensity, hotter temperatures, and sea level rise. Residents should take steps to prepare for these potential impacts.

Is Coniston Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Coniston faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

Coniston has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Coniston is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Coniston faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. These hazards could impact infrastructure and property along the coastline.

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 Coniston

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Coniston is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Coniston faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

Coniston faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. These hazards could impact infrastructure and property along the coastline.

Primary Drivers

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

bushfire Risk

Coniston has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Primary Drivers

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

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in areas at higher risk of flooding, bushfires, and coastal hazards.

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 land maps.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to coastal hazards.
  • 3.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
  • 4.Consider the long-term climate risks when making a purchase decision.

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 upgrading drainage systems to improve stormwater management and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement bushfire management strategies

Near-term

Develop and implement bushfire management plans to reduce fuel loads and protect properties from bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop a heatwave response plan

Immediate

Create a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Implement coastal management plans

Long-term

Develop and implement coastal management plans to address sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Coniston's Climate Risk Profile

Coniston, located in the Wollongong region of New South Wales, is exposed to a range of climate-related risks. Its proximity to waterways and coastal areas makes it vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion. The presence of nearby bushland also increases the risk of bushfires.

Climate change is projected to intensify these existing risks. Increased rainfall intensity is expected to lead to more frequent and severe flooding events. Rising temperatures will contribute to more intense and prolonged heatwaves, posing a threat to public health. Sea level rise will exacerbate coastal erosion and increase the risk of inundation.

The local council and emergency services are working to mitigate these risks through various adaptation measures. These include upgrading drainage infrastructure, implementing bushfire management strategies, and developing coastal management plans. However, individual residents also have a role to play in preparing for the impacts of climate change.

This includes taking steps to protect their homes from flooding and bushfires, developing emergency plans, and staying informed about weather warnings and emergency alerts. By working together, the community can build resilience to the challenges posed by climate change.

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 Coniston?

Coniston faces risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards, all of which are expected to worsen with climate change.

How is the local council addressing climate change?

Wollongong City Council is implementing various adaptation measures, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, developing bushfire management plans, and creating coastal management plans.

What can I do to prepare for flooding in Coniston?

You can take steps to protect your home from flooding, develop an emergency plan, and stay informed about weather warnings and emergency alerts.

How can I protect my property from bushfires?

You can reduce fuel loads around your property, install fire-resistant materials, and have a bushfire survival plan in place.

Where can I find more information about climate change impacts in Coniston?

You can find more information on the Wollongong City Council website, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website, and the CSIRO 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 Coniston, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Coniston'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