Climate Risk Assessment: Maddens Plains, NSW

Maddens Plains, New South Wales· Wollongong· 2526
Updated May 2026

Maddens Plains faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding and bushfires. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expected to exacerbate these risks in the future. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Maddens Plains Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Maddens Plains, 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 Maddens Plains

Flood

Maddens Plains faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby creeks and drainage systems. The risk is expected to increase with climate change.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

The suburb is located near bushland, increasing its vulnerability to bushfires, especially during dry and windy conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate bushfire risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Maddens Plains experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwave events projected. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Due to its inland location, Maddens Plains has a low risk of coastal hazards such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Key drivers:

  • ·Distance from the coast

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Maddens Plains

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Maddens Plains experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwave events projected. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Maddens Plains faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and potential overflow from nearby creeks and drainage systems. The risk is expected to increase with climate change.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

Due to its inland location, Maddens Plains has a low risk of coastal hazards such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Distance from the coast
Data source

bushfire Risk

The suburb is located near bushland, increasing its vulnerability to bushfires, especially during dry and windy conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate bushfire risk.

Primary Drivers

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

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Premiums may increase due to flood and bushfire risk.

Price Impact

Potential for decreased property values in high-risk areas.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood and bushfire risk maps
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to extreme weather
  • 3.Review insurance options
  • 4.Consider long-term climate projections

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

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Bushfire Mitigation Measures

Immediate

Implement vegetation management programs and promote fire-resistant landscaping to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Develop a heatwave response plan and provide cooling centers for vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community Awareness Programs

Long-term

Educate residents about climate risks and adaptation strategies.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Maddens Plains's Climate Risk Profile

Maddens Plains, located in the Wollongong region of New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from intense rainfall events and bushfires due to its proximity to bushland.

Climate projections indicate that the region will experience higher average temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes will likely increase the severity and frequency of both flood and bushfire events, posing significant challenges to the community.

The risk of flooding is driven by increased rainfall intensity and potential overflow from local creeks and drainage systems. Bushfire risk is exacerbated by drier conditions and higher temperatures, leading to a longer fire season and increased fuel load.

While coastal risks are minimal due to the suburb's inland location, the overall climate risk profile suggests that residents and property owners should take proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts. This includes preparing for extreme weather events, maintaining properties to reduce fire risk, and supporting local initiatives to improve drainage infrastructure and bushfire management.

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 for Maddens Plains?

The main risks are increased flooding due to heavy rainfall and heightened bushfire risk due to drier conditions and proximity to bushland. Heatwaves are also a growing concern.

How will climate change affect property values in Maddens Plains?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience decreased values due to increased insurance premiums and potential damage from extreme weather events.

What can I do to protect my home from bushfires?

Clear vegetation around your home, install fire-resistant materials, and have a bushfire survival plan.

How can I prepare for a flood?

Elevate valuable items, clear gutters and drains, and have an emergency kit ready.

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

Visit the Wollongong City Council website or the NSW Department of Planning and Environment 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 Maddens Plains, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Maddens Plains'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