Climate Risk in Highfields, NSW

Highfields, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Highfields, NSW, faces moderate climate risks, primarily from bushfires, floods and heatwaves. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Residents should prepare for these changes and take steps to mitigate their impact.

Is Highfields Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Highfields faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and local creek overflows. The risk is expected to increase with climate change.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

Highfields has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions exacerbate the risk, and climate change is projected to worsen these conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation

Heat

Highfields experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Highfields has a very low coastal risk due to its inland location.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Highfields

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Highfields experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Highfields faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and local creek overflows. The risk is expected to increase with climate change.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Inadequate drainage infrastructure
Data source

coastal Risk

Highfields has a very low coastal risk due to its inland location.

Data source

bushfire Risk

Highfields has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions exacerbate the risk, and climate change is projected to worsen these conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation
  • ·Stronger winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to climate risks.

Price Impact

Property values may be negatively impacted by increasing climate risks.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
  • 4.Review council's climate adaptation plans.

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 drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement bushfire management strategies

Immediate

Conduct regular fuel reduction burns and maintain firebreaks to protect properties from bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop a heatwave response plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide support to vulnerable residents during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to conserve water to reduce strain on water resources during droughts and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Strengthen building codes

Long-term

Update building codes to require more resilient construction materials and designs that can withstand extreme weather events.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

About Highfields's Climate Risk Profile

Highfields, located in New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include bushfires, flooding, and heatwaves, all of which are projected to worsen in the coming decades.

Bushfire risk is significant due to the suburb's proximity to bushland. Hotter, drier conditions increase the likelihood of fires, threatening homes and lives. Residents should maintain firebreaks and have evacuation plans in place.

Flooding is another concern, with heavy rainfall events causing local creeks to overflow. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe floods. Improved drainage infrastructure and flood-proofing measures are needed.

Heatwaves are becoming more common and intense, posing a health risk to vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Staying hydrated and seeking air-conditioned environments during heatwaves is crucial.

While Highfields is not directly exposed to coastal risks, the broader impacts of climate change, such as disruptions to supply chains and increased insurance costs, will affect the community. Proactive adaptation measures are essential to build resilience and protect the suburb's future.

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 facing Highfields?

Highfields faces increasing risks from bushfires, floods, and heatwaves due to climate change. These risks are projected to worsen in the coming decades.

How will climate change affect property values in Highfields?

Increasing climate risks may negatively impact property values in Highfields, particularly for properties located in high-risk areas.

What can I do to protect my home from bushfires?

Maintain firebreaks around your property, clear flammable materials, and have a bushfire survival plan in place. Check the NSW RFS website for more information.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Highfields?

Contact your local council or the NSW State Emergency Service for information about flood risks and flood maps in Highfields.

How can I prepare for heatwaves in Highfields?

Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves. Follow advice from NSW Health.

Is Highfields considered a bushfire prone area?

Yes, Highfields is designated as a bushfire-prone area due to its proximity to bushland.

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 Highfields, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Highfields'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 Highfields, NSW | ClimateNest