Climate Risk Profile: Mount Ousley, NSW
Mount Ousley faces moderate climate risks, primarily from bushfires and flooding. Increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are key concerns. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.
Is Mount Ousley Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Mount Ousley, 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 Mount Ousley
Flood
Mount Ousley faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and elevation changes. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development
Bushfire
The suburb is at high risk of bushfires due to its location near bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Mount Ousley experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected.
Key drivers:
- ·Climate change
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Coastal risk is low due to the suburb's distance from the immediate coastline, though sea level rise could indirectly affect the region.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Mount Ousley
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
Mount Ousley experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves projected.
Primary Drivers
- ·Climate change
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Mount Ousley faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and elevation changes. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development
- ·Climate change
coastal Risk
Coastal risk is low due to the suburb's distance from the immediate coastline, though sea level rise could indirectly affect the region.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
bushfire Risk
The suburb is at high risk of bushfires due to its location near bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
- ·Strong winds
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase due to climate risks.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience price stagnation or decline.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area designations.
- 2.Assess property's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
- 3.Inquire about council's climate adaptation plans.
- 4.Review insurance coverage and potential premium increases.
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-termUpgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreImplement bushfire management plan
ImmediateDevelop and implement a comprehensive bushfire management plan, including hazard reduction burns and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreEnhance heatwave preparedness
Near-termEstablish cooling centers and implement public awareness campaigns to help residents cope with extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePromote water conservation
Long-termEncourage water conservation measures to reduce strain on water resources during prolonged dry periods.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreStrengthen building codes
Long-termUpdate building codes to ensure new construction is resilient to climate change impacts, such as flooding and bushfires.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreAbout Mount Ousley's Climate Risk Profile
Mount Ousley, located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, is exposed to a range of climate-related risks. The suburb's proximity to bushland elevates the risk of bushfires, particularly during the hot and dry summer months. Changes in rainfall patterns and increased storm intensity contribute to a heightened flood risk, especially in low-lying areas.
Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a threat to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. While the immediate coastal risks are relatively low, the broader region is susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Climate change projections indicate that these risks are likely to intensify in the coming decades. Residents and property owners should take proactive measures to mitigate these risks, such as maintaining firebreaks, improving drainage, and preparing for extreme weather events.
The local council is developing strategies to address climate change and enhance community resilience. These strategies include improving infrastructure, promoting sustainable development, and raising awareness about climate risks.
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
Wollongong City Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate risks facing Mount Ousley?
The main climate risks include bushfires, flooding, and heatwaves. These risks are projected to increase in the coming decades due to climate change.
How can I prepare my property for bushfires?
You can prepare your property by maintaining firebreaks, clearing gutters of debris, and having a bushfire survival plan.
What should I do during a flood?
During a flood, you should move to higher ground, avoid driving through floodwaters, and follow the advice of emergency services.
Where can I find information about local emergency services?
You can find information about local emergency services on the NSW Emergency Services website.
Is Mount Ousley likely to experience more heatwaves in the future?
Yes, climate projections indicate that Mount Ousley is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future.
What is the council doing to address climate change?
Wollongong City Council is developing and implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance community resilience, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Get your property's risk report
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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