Climate Risk Profile: Redfern, NSW
Redfern faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding and heatwaves. The suburb's urban environment and location contribute to these vulnerabilities, which are projected to worsen with climate change.
Is Redfern Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Redfern, 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 Redfern
Flood
Redfern faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Redfern is relatively 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
- ·Limited vegetation
Heat
Redfern is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the problem.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Coastal risk is very low in Redfern due to its distance from the coastline. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not direct threats to the suburb.
Key drivers:
- ·Distance from coast
- ·Elevation
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Redfern
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
Redfern is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the problem.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
- ·Lack of green spaces
flood Risk
Redfern faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Urban development
- ·Inadequate drainage infrastructure
coastal Risk
Coastal risk is very low in Redfern due to its distance from the coastline. Sea level rise and coastal erosion are not direct threats to the suburb.
Primary Drivers
- ·Distance from coast
- ·Elevation
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Redfern is relatively 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
- ·Limited vegetation
- ·Distance from bushland
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in flood-prone areas.
Price Impact
Properties in flood zones may experience price stagnation or decline.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood risk maps.
- 2.Assess property drainage.
- 3.Consider cooling options for heatwaves.
- 4.Review insurance coverage.
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 Drainage Infrastructure
ImmediateInvest in upgrading drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flash flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreImplement Urban Greening Initiatives
Near-termIncrease green spaces and tree canopy cover to mitigate the urban heat island effect and provide shade during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreDevelop Heat Action Plan
ImmediateCreate a heat action plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach programs.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreCommunity Awareness Programs
Near-termEducate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures, such as preparing for floods and heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePromote Water Sensitive Urban Design
Long-termIncorporate water sensitive urban design principles in new developments to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreAbout Redfern's Climate Risk Profile
Redfern, an inner-city suburb of Sydney, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks stem from increased flooding due to more intense rainfall events and rising temperatures leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves.
The suburb's low-lying areas and existing drainage infrastructure are challenged by heavier rainfall, increasing the likelihood of flash flooding. Climate change projections indicate that these rainfall events will become more frequent and intense, placing greater strain on the suburb's infrastructure and potentially impacting residential and commercial properties.
Heatwaves pose another significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The urban heat island effect, caused by the concentration of buildings and paved surfaces, exacerbates the impact of heatwaves, making Redfern hotter than surrounding areas. Increased green spaces and cooling strategies are needed to mitigate this effect.
While bushfire and coastal risks are relatively low in Redfern, the suburb is not entirely immune to the indirect impacts of these hazards. Ember attack from distant bushfires and disruptions to supply chains due to coastal erosion elsewhere could still affect the community.
Addressing these climate risks requires a multi-faceted approach, including investments in improved drainage infrastructure, urban greening initiatives, and community awareness programs. By taking proactive steps, Redfern can enhance its resilience and protect its residents from the growing impacts of 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
City of Sydney Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Redfern?
The main climate change risks in Redfern are increased flooding due to more intense rainfall events and more frequent and severe heatwaves.
How is the City of Sydney Council addressing climate change?
The City of Sydney Council has a climate change adaptation strategy that outlines measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
What can I do to prepare for a flood in Redfern?
You can prepare for a flood by checking flood risk maps, assessing your property's drainage, and having an emergency plan in place.
How can I stay safe during a heatwave in Redfern?
You can stay safe during a heatwave by staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
Are there any cooling centers in Redfern during heatwaves?
The City of Sydney Council may open cooling centers during heatwaves. Check their website for locations and operating hours.
Will climate change affect property values in Redfern?
Climate change may affect property values in flood-prone areas. Properties in these areas may experience price stagnation or decline.
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