Climate Risk Profile: Nowra, NSW
Nowra faces significant climate risks, particularly from flooding and bushfires. Rising temperatures and sea levels are expected to exacerbate these risks in the coming decades. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
Is Nowra Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Nowra, 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 Nowra
Flood
Nowra is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location on the Shoalhaven River floodplain. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate flood risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Bushfire risk is significant due to the proximity of Nowra to surrounding bushland. Drier conditions and increased temperatures are projected to increase bushfire frequency and intensity.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Nowra is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Heatwave frequency
Coastal
Coastal inundation and erosion are increasing threats due to sea level rise. Low-lying areas of Nowra are particularly vulnerable.
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 Nowra
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
Nowra is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Heatwave frequency
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Nowra is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location on the Shoalhaven River floodplain. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate flood risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Riverine flooding
coastal Risk
Coastal inundation and erosion are increasing threats due to sea level rise. Low-lying areas of Nowra are particularly vulnerable.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk is significant due to the proximity of Nowra to surrounding bushland. Drier conditions and increased temperatures are projected to increase bushfire frequency and intensity.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Fuel load
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the high flood and bushfire risk.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone land designations.
- 2.Obtain a building inspection report.
- 3.Assess the property's vulnerability to climate risks.
- 4.Consider the cost of insurance and potential 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
Upgrade Flood Defenses
ImmediateInvest in flood levees and drainage systems to protect properties from inundation.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreImplement Bushfire Management Plans
ImmediateDevelop and implement bushfire management plans for residential areas, including vegetation clearing and fire breaks.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreImprove Building Resilience
Near-termPromote building designs that are more resilient to extreme weather events, such as elevated foundations and fire-resistant materials.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreEnhance Community Awareness
Near-termConduct community education programs to raise awareness of climate risks and promote preparedness measures.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreDevelop Coastal Management Strategy
Long-termCreate a comprehensive coastal management strategy to address sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Nowra's Climate Risk Profile
Nowra, located on the Shoalhaven River, is highly vulnerable to flooding. The combination of riverine flooding and potential coastal inundation due to sea level rise presents a significant challenge. Climate change projections indicate an increase in rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flood events.
Bushfire risk is also a major concern for Nowra. The surrounding bushland creates a high fuel load, and drier conditions coupled with rising temperatures increase the likelihood of bushfires. Residents need to be aware of bushfire safety measures and have evacuation plans in place.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in Nowra, posing a health risk to vulnerable populations. The urban heat island effect can further exacerbate these conditions, particularly in densely populated areas. Adaptation measures, such as increasing green spaces and improving building insulation, are crucial.
Sea level rise threatens low-lying coastal areas of Nowra, increasing the risk of coastal inundation and erosion. Protecting coastal ecosystems and implementing coastal management strategies are essential to mitigate these impacts. The combined effects of these climate risks require a comprehensive and coordinated approach to adaptation and resilience building.
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
Shoalhaven City Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Nowra?
Nowra faces significant risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal inundation due to sea level rise. These risks are expected to increase in the coming decades due to climate change.
How will climate change affect property values in Nowra?
Properties in high-risk areas, such as those prone to flooding or bushfires, may experience a decrease in value. Insurance premiums are also likely to increase.
What is the council doing to address climate change in Nowra?
Shoalhaven City Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies, including flood mitigation measures, bushfire management plans, and coastal management strategies.
How can I prepare my home for climate change impacts in Nowra?
You can prepare your home by implementing measures such as installing flood barriers, clearing vegetation around your property, and improving building insulation. It's also important to have an emergency plan in place.
Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Nowra?
You can find more information on the Shoalhaven City Council website, the NSW State Emergency Service website, and the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
What kind of financial assistance is available for climate resilience measures?
Contact Shoalhaven City Council and the NSW government to inquire about available grants and subsidies for implementing climate resilience measures on your property.
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 Nowra, 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