Climate Risk in Kensington, NSW
Kensington faces increasing risks from heatwaves and flooding due to climate change. While bushfire risk is relatively low, the suburb may experience indirect impacts from coastal hazards. Residents should prepare for more extreme weather events and take steps to adapt to a changing climate.
Is Kensington Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Kensington, 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 Kensington
Flood
Kensington 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
- ·Urban development
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Kensington is relatively low due to its urban environment. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could elevate the risk in surrounding areas.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Kensington is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Urban heat island effect will amplify the impact, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
While not directly coastal, Kensington may experience indirect impacts from coastal hazards such as sea level rise and storm surges affecting nearby coastal communities and infrastructure.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Kensington
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
Kensington is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Urban heat island effect will amplify the impact, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
- ·Reduced vegetation cover
flood Risk
Kensington 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
- ·Urban development
- ·Sea level rise
coastal Risk
While not directly coastal, Kensington may experience indirect impacts from coastal hazards such as sea level rise and storm surges affecting nearby coastal communities and infrastructure.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Kensington is relatively low due to its urban environment. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could elevate the risk in surrounding areas.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Vegetation dryness
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and heatwave risks.
Price Impact
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price reductions.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
- 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Consider energy efficiency upgrades.
- 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 building energy efficiency
Near-termRetrofit homes and businesses with insulation, efficient windows, and solar panels to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreEnhance stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater drainage systems to better manage increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreIncrease urban green space
Near-termPlant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade and cooling.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreDevelop community emergency plans
ImmediateCreate community-based emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePromote water conservation
Long-termEncourage water conservation through education and incentives to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Kensington's Climate Risk Profile
Kensington, NSW, is projected to experience significant impacts from climate change, particularly in the form of increased heatwaves and flooding. The urban environment exacerbates the heat island effect, leading to higher temperatures and increased heat stress for residents. Changes in rainfall patterns are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of flooding events.
While Kensington is not directly on the coast, it is close enough that sea level rise and storm surges could impact the suburb indirectly, particularly through disruptions to infrastructure and supply chains. Bushfire risk is relatively low due to the suburb's urban nature, but surrounding areas may experience increased fire danger, potentially affecting air quality and access to services.
These climate change impacts pose challenges for the community, infrastructure, and economy of Kensington. It is crucial for residents, businesses, and local government to take proactive steps to adapt to these changes and mitigate their effects. This includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve building resilience, and enhance community preparedness.
Addressing climate change in Kensington requires a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders. By working together, the community can build a more sustainable and resilient future for the suburb.
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
Randwick City Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks for Kensington?
The main climate change risks for Kensington include increased heatwaves, flooding, and indirect impacts from sea level rise.
How will climate change affect property values in Kensington?
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price reductions, while properties with energy-efficient features may become more desirable.
What is the council doing to address climate change in Kensington?
Randwick City Council has a climate strategy that includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve building resilience, and enhance community preparedness.
How can I prepare my home for heatwaves in Kensington?
You can prepare your home for heatwaves by installing insulation, efficient windows, and air conditioning, as well as planting trees for shade.
Where can I find information about flood risks in Kensington?
You can find information about flood risks in Kensington on the Randwick City Council website and the NSW State Emergency Service website.
Are there any grants available for energy efficiency upgrades in Kensington?
Yes, there are often state and federal government grants available for energy efficiency upgrades. Check the relevant government websites for current programs.
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 Kensington, use our analysis tool.
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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