Climate Risk in Little Bay, NSW

Little Bay, New South Wales· Randwick· 2036
Updated May 2026

Little Bay is a coastal suburb in Sydney facing increasing climate risks. The primary concerns are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, driven by rising sea levels and more extreme weather events. Residents should prepare for potential disruptions and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Is Little Bay Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Little Bay, 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 Little Bay

Flood

Little Bay has a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to coastal areas and local waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff and potential inundation of low-lying areas.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The bushfire risk in Little Bay is relatively low due to its urbanized environment and limited proximity to dense bushland. However, dry vegetation in nearby parks and reserves can pose a localized risk during hot and windy conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures

Heat

Little Bay experiences a high risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Urban areas tend to retain more heat, leading to higher temperatures and increased heat stress for residents.

Key drivers:

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Rising average temperatures

Coastal

Little Bay faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. The suburb's proximity to the coastline makes it vulnerable to inundation and damage from storm surges and rising sea levels.

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 Little Bay

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Little Bay experiences a high risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Urban areas tend to retain more heat, leading to higher temperatures and increased heat stress for residents.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves
Data source

flood Risk

Little Bay has a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to coastal areas and local waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff and potential inundation of low-lying areas.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge
Data source

coastal Risk

Little Bay faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. The suburb's proximity to the coastline makes it vulnerable to inundation and damage from storm surges and rising sea levels.

Primary Drivers

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

bushfire Risk

The bushfire risk in Little Bay is relatively low due to its urbanized environment and limited proximity to dense bushland. However, dry vegetation in nearby parks and reserves can pose a localized risk during hot and windy conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Strong winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to climate-related risks.

Price Impact

Property values in vulnerable areas may be negatively impacted.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and coastal hazard reports.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Review insurance coverage for climate-related events.
  • 4.Consider long-term climate projections for the area.

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 and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement coastal protection measures

Long-term

Construct seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against erosion and sea level rise.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide public education on heat safety to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Little Bay's Climate Risk Profile

Little Bay, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The suburb's coastal location makes it particularly susceptible to sea level rise and coastal erosion, threatening infrastructure and property.

Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a significant risk to public health, especially for vulnerable populations. The urban environment exacerbates the heat island effect, leading to higher temperatures and increased heat stress.

Flooding is another major concern, with intense rainfall events causing stormwater runoff and potential inundation of low-lying areas. The combination of sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity further elevates the risk of flooding in Little Bay.

While bushfire risk is relatively low, dry vegetation in nearby parks and reserves can still pose a localized threat during hot and windy conditions. Residents should remain vigilant and take precautions to minimize the risk of fire.

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 Little Bay?

Little Bay faces increasing risks from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to climate change.

How is the council addressing climate change in Little Bay?

Randwick City Council is implementing various strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including improving stormwater drainage and developing coastal protection measures.

What can residents do to prepare for heatwaves?

Residents can stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Little Bay?

Flood maps and coastal hazard reports are available on the Randwick City Council website.

How will climate change affect property values in Little Bay?

Property values in vulnerable areas may be negatively impacted by climate-related risks such as flooding and coastal erosion.

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 Little Bay, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Little Bay'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 Little Bay, NSW | ClimateNest