Climate Risk in Merotherie, NSW

Merotherie, New South Wales· Randwick· 2034
Updated May 2026

Merotherie faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity are key drivers of these risks. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events and take steps to mitigate their impact.

Is Merotherie Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Merotherie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to coastal areas and low-lying regions. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The bushfire risk in Merotherie is relatively low due to its urban environment and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves pose a potential risk during dry periods.

Key drivers:

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Dry vegetation

Heat

Merotherie experiences a high heat risk, particularly during summer months. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the impact of heatwaves, posing health risks to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Merotherie is exposed to coastal risks, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. Low-lying areas are vulnerable to inundation during storm surges and high tides.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

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Social

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Merotherie

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Merotherie experiences a high heat risk, particularly during summer months. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the impact of heatwaves, posing health risks to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Climate change
Data source

flood Risk

Merotherie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to coastal areas and low-lying regions. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

Merotherie is exposed to coastal risks, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. Low-lying areas are vulnerable to inundation during storm surges and high tides.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The bushfire risk in Merotherie is relatively low due to its urban environment and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves pose a potential risk during dry periods.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Wind patterns
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to increased flood and coastal risks.

Price Impact

Properties in low-lying areas may experience a decrease in value due to increased flood risk.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and council planning regulations.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
  • 3.Consider the cost of insurance premiums.
  • 4.Inquire about past flood events and mitigation measures.

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 infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater drainage systems to increase capacity and reduce the risk of flash flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Plant trees to reduce urban heat island effect

Near-term

Increase tree canopy cover in urban areas to provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect, mitigating the impact of heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Protect coastal areas from erosion

Long-term

Implement coastal management strategies, such as building seawalls and replenishing beaches, to protect coastal areas from erosion and sea level rise.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Create a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Merotherie's Climate Risk Profile

Merotherie, a suburb in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from increased rainfall and sea level rise, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and coastal erosion.

The suburb's proximity to the coast makes it susceptible to rising sea levels, which can lead to inundation of low-lying areas during storm surges and high tides. Increased rainfall intensity can overwhelm stormwater drainage systems, causing flash flooding in urban areas.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a significant health risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. The urban heat island effect exacerbates the impact of heatwaves, as built-up areas retain more heat than surrounding vegetated areas.

Coastal erosion is another concern, as rising sea levels and increased storm activity can erode beaches and damage coastal infrastructure. Protecting coastal areas through erosion control measures is essential to preserving the suburb's natural beauty and recreational amenities.

Addressing these climate risks requires a coordinated effort from local government, residents, and businesses. Implementing adaptation measures, such as improving stormwater drainage, planting trees to reduce the urban heat island effect, and protecting coastal areas, can help to build resilience to 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 Merotherie?

The main climate change risks in Merotherie are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These risks are driven by increased rainfall intensity, sea level rise, and more frequent extreme heat events.

How will sea level rise affect Merotherie?

Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal inundation during storm surges and high tides, particularly in low-lying areas near Bronte Beach. It will also exacerbate coastal erosion.

What is the urban heat island effect, and how does it affect Merotherie?

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon where urban areas retain more heat than surrounding vegetated areas. This can make heatwaves more intense and prolonged in Merotherie, posing a health risk to residents.

What is Randwick City Council doing to address climate change?

Randwick City Council has implemented a range of initiatives to address climate change, including improving stormwater drainage, planting trees to reduce the urban heat island effect, and developing coastal management strategies.

How can I prepare for extreme weather events in Merotherie?

You can prepare for extreme weather events by staying informed about weather forecasts, having an emergency plan in place, and taking steps to protect your property from 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 Merotherie, use our analysis tool.

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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

Climate Risk in Merotherie, NSW | ClimateNest