Climate Risk in Pelican, NSW

Pelican, New South Wales
Updated May 2026

Pelican, NSW, faces increasing climate risks, particularly from flooding, heatwaves and coastal hazards. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events and consider long-term adaptation strategies. The suburb's proximity to Lake Macquarie and the coast makes it especially vulnerable.

Is Pelican Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Not ready to check your address? See a free sample report →

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 Pelican

Flood

Pelican faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Macquarie. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Pelican is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase the likelihood of fire.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Pelican is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

As a coastal suburb, Pelican is vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. This could impact property values and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Pelican

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Pelican is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Pelican faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Macquarie. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Inadequate drainage
Data source

coastal Risk

As a coastal suburb, Pelican is vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. This could impact property values and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
  • ·Erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Pelican is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures could increase the likelihood of fire.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Vegetation dryness
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to climate risks.

Price Impact

Property values may be negatively impacted by climate risks.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
  • 2.Assess bushfire risk and prepare a plan.
  • 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise.
  • 4.Inquire about council adaptation plans.

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 drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Near-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Create a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation strategies, such as vegetation management and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Raise Awareness

Long-term

Educate the community about climate risks and adaptation strategies.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Pelican's Climate Risk Profile

Pelican, located in New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The suburb's low-lying geography and coastal location make it susceptible to flooding and coastal erosion. Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a significant threat to public health, especially for vulnerable populations.

Increased rainfall intensity is expected to exacerbate the risk of flooding in Pelican. The existing drainage infrastructure may not be adequate to handle the increased volume of water, leading to property damage and disruption to daily life. Sea level rise will further compound the risk of coastal flooding and erosion, potentially impacting property values and infrastructure.

The risk of bushfires is also a concern for Pelican, particularly in areas bordering bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures increase the likelihood of fire, posing a threat to homes and businesses. Residents should be aware of bushfire safety measures and have a plan in place in case of an emergency.

Adapting to these climate risks will require a coordinated effort from residents, businesses, and local government. This includes investing in infrastructure improvements, implementing stricter building codes, and promoting community awareness of climate change impacts. By taking proactive steps, Pelican can build resilience and protect its community from the worst effects of climate change.

Long-term planning is essential to ensure the sustainability of Pelican. This includes considering the potential impacts of climate change on property values, insurance costs, and the availability of essential services. By addressing these challenges head-on, Pelican can create a more resilient and sustainable future for its residents.

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 Pelican?

Pelican faces increasing risks from flooding, heatwaves, bushfires, and coastal erosion due to climate change.

How will climate change affect property values in Pelican?

Climate change may negatively impact property values in Pelican due to increased risks of flooding, coastal erosion, and bushfires. Insurance costs may also increase.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Pelican?

Lake Macquarie City Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to reduce the risks of climate change in Pelican and surrounding areas. This includes improving drainage infrastructure, strengthening coastal defenses, and promoting community awareness.

How can I prepare my home for climate change impacts?

You can prepare your home by checking flood maps, assessing bushfire risk, considering the potential impacts of sea level rise, and inquiring about council adaptation plans. It is also important to have an emergency plan in place.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Pelican?

You can find more information about climate change in Pelican on the Lake Macquarie City Council website, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.

What kind of insurance should I have in Pelican?

Given the risks, it's wise to have comprehensive home and contents insurance that covers flood, fire, and storm damage. Check the policy details carefully.

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 Pelican, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Pelican'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