Climate Risk in Pyrmont, NSW

Pyrmont, New South Wales· City of Sydney· 2009
Updated May 2026

Pyrmont, NSW, faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Sea level rise and increasing temperatures are key drivers of these risks. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Pyrmont Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Pyrmont faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to Sydney Harbour and low-lying areas. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased rainfall intensity

Bushfire

Bushfire risk in Pyrmont is low due to its urban environment and distance from significant bushland areas. However, ember attack from distant fires remains a potential concern.

Key drivers:

  • ·Urban density
  • ·Distance from bushland

Heat

Pyrmont is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days projected. The urban heat island effect can amplify these impacts.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Pyrmont is exposed to coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. This can lead to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge

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 Pyrmont

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Pyrmont is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days projected. The urban heat island effect can amplify these impacts.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Data source

flood Risk

Pyrmont faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to Sydney Harbour and low-lying areas. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Storm surge
Data source

coastal Risk

Pyrmont is exposed to coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. This can lead to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

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

bushfire Risk

Bushfire risk in Pyrmont is low due to its urban environment and distance from significant bushland areas. However, ember attack from distant fires remains a potential concern.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Urban density
  • ·Distance from bushland
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and coastal risks.

Price Impact

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
  • 2.Assess the property's elevation and drainage.
  • 3.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
  • 4.Consider the potential impact of sea level rise on the property.

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 stormwater drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Improve the capacity of stormwater drains to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flash flooding.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Develop a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing outreach services.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Construct seawalls and other coastal defenses

Long-term

Build seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect waterfront properties and infrastructure from sea level rise and storm surge.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Promote green infrastructure

Near-term

Increase the amount of green space in Pyrmont to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve stormwater management.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Raise community awareness

Immediate

Educate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures through workshops, online resources, and community events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Pyrmont's Climate Risk Profile

Pyrmont, an inner-city suburb of Sydney, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Its location on the waterfront makes it particularly susceptible to sea level rise and storm surge, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. The urban environment also contributes to the urban heat island effect, exacerbating the impact of heatwaves.

Rising average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of Pyrmont residents, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The increased intensity of rainfall events can also lead to flash flooding, disrupting transportation and damaging property.

While bushfire risk is relatively low due to the suburb's urban density, the potential for ember attack from distant fires should not be ignored. It is crucial for residents to stay informed about bushfire warnings and take necessary precautions.

Addressing these climate risks requires a multi-faceted approach, including investments in infrastructure to mitigate flooding, strategies to reduce the urban heat island effect, and community education programs to raise awareness about climate change impacts and adaptation measures. Individual actions, such as reducing energy consumption and water usage, can also contribute to a more sustainable future for Pyrmont.

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 facing Pyrmont?

Pyrmont is primarily at risk from flooding (both coastal and flash flooding), heatwaves, and the impacts of sea level rise.

How will sea level rise affect Pyrmont?

Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal inundation, particularly in low-lying areas. This could damage property, disrupt transportation, and impact the local economy.

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

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to the concentration of buildings, pavement, and other heat-absorbing surfaces. This can exacerbate the impact of heatwaves in Pyrmont.

What is the City of Sydney Council doing to address climate change in Pyrmont?

The City of Sydney Council has implemented a range of initiatives to address climate change, including upgrading stormwater drainage infrastructure, promoting green infrastructure, and developing a heatwave management plan.

What can I do to prepare for climate change impacts in Pyrmont?

You can take several steps to prepare for climate change impacts, such as checking flood maps, assessing your property's elevation and drainage, inquiring about insurance coverage, and reducing your energy consumption.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Pyrmont?

You can find more information about climate change risks in Pyrmont on the City of Sydney Council website, the NSW Environment website, and the Bureau of Meteorology 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 Pyrmont, 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