Climate Risk in Rose Bay, New South Wales

Rose Bay, New South Wales
Updated Mar 2026

Rose Bay faces moderate climate risks, particularly from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Sea level rise and increased storm intensity are key concerns for the suburb.

Is Rose Bay Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Rose Bay, 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 Rose Bay

Flood

Rose Bay has a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the coast and low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff and potential inundation.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

Rose Bay has a relatively low risk of bushfire due to its urban environment and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves could pose a risk during extreme weather conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Dry vegetation

Heat

Rose Bay is susceptible to heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Increased temperatures can pose health risks to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Rose Bay faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and erosion. The suburb's proximity to the coastline makes it vulnerable to these impacts.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity

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 Rose Bay

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Rose Bay is susceptible to heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Increased temperatures can pose health risks to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Reduced vegetation cover
Data source

flood Risk

Rose Bay has a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the coast and low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff and potential inundation.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Urban development
Data source

coastal Risk

Rose Bay faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and erosion. The suburb's proximity to the coastline makes it vulnerable to these impacts.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

Rose Bay has a relatively low risk of bushfire due to its urban environment and limited vegetation. However, nearby parks and reserves could pose a risk during extreme weather conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Proximity to bushland
  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·High winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Increased premiums possible due to flood and coastal risks

Price Impact

Potential for decreased property values in high-risk areas

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and council data
  • 2.Assess property's elevation and drainage
  • 3.Consider potential impacts of sea level rise
  • 4.Review insurance options and costs

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 and resilience of stormwater drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Protect and restore coastal ecosystems

Long-term

Protect and restore coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and saltmarshes to provide natural buffers against sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Promote water-sensitive urban design

Near-term

Encourage the use of water-sensitive urban design principles in new developments to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Rose Bay's Climate Risk Profile

Rose Bay, located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The suburb's proximity to the coast and low-lying areas make it susceptible to flooding and coastal erosion. Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves also pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents.

Flooding is a major concern for Rose Bay, with heavy rainfall events leading to stormwater runoff and potential inundation. Sea level rise is exacerbating this risk, as it increases the likelihood of coastal flooding and erosion. The suburb's aging infrastructure may also struggle to cope with the increased demands placed upon it by more frequent and intense storms.

Heatwaves are another significant threat, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. Rising temperatures can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and other health problems. The urban heat island effect, caused by the concentration of buildings and pavement, can further exacerbate the impact of heatwaves.

Coastal erosion is also a growing concern, as sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten to erode the suburb's beaches and foreshores. This can damage property, disrupt recreational activities, and threaten the local ecosystem.

Addressing these climate risks will require a coordinated effort from all levels of government, as well as the community. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, implementing adaptation measures, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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 for Rose Bay?

Rose Bay faces significant risks from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to climate change. Sea level rise and increased storm intensity are key concerns.

How will sea level rise affect Rose Bay?

Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal flooding and erosion in Rose Bay, potentially damaging property and infrastructure along the foreshore.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Rose Bay?

Woollahra Municipal Council is implementing various measures to address climate change, including upgrading stormwater drainage infrastructure and promoting water-sensitive urban design.

How can I prepare for heatwaves in Rose Bay?

During heatwaves, stay indoors in air-conditioned environments, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activities. Check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Where can I find more information about flood risks in Rose Bay?

You can find more information about flood risks in Rose Bay on the Woollahra Municipal Council website and the NSW State Emergency Service 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 Rose Bay, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Rose Bay'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

Climate Risk Profile for Rose Bay, NSW | ClimateNest