Climate Risk Profile: Sussex Inlet, NSW
Sussex Inlet is a coastal town in New South Wales that faces several climate-related risks. These include flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. The risk scores for these hazards are projected to increase in the future due to climate change.
Is Sussex Inlet Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Sussex Inlet, 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 Sussex Inlet
Flood
Sussex Inlet is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the inlet. Heavy rainfall and storm surges can lead to inundation of properties and infrastructure.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
Bushfire
The area surrounding Sussex Inlet has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Sussex Inlet is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future. This can pose a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Sussex Inlet faces coastal risks from sea level rise and erosion. The low-lying nature of the area makes it vulnerable to inundation and damage from storm surges.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Sussex Inlet
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
Sussex Inlet is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future. This can pose a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Sussex Inlet is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the inlet. Heavy rainfall and storm surges can lead to inundation of properties and infrastructure.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Storm surges
coastal Risk
Sussex Inlet faces coastal risks from sea level rise and erosion. The low-lying nature of the area makes it vulnerable to inundation and damage from storm surges.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
bushfire Risk
The area surrounding Sussex Inlet has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
- ·Strong winds
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to climate-related risks.
Price Impact
Properties in low-lying areas may experience a decrease in value.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
- 2.Assess bushfire risk and implement mitigation measures.
- 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise.
- 4.Ensure adequate 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
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreBushfire Preparedness
ImmediateImplement bushfire management strategies, including hazard reduction burns and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreHeatwave Action Plan
Near-termDevelop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreCoastal Management Strategy
Long-termDevelop a long-term coastal management strategy to address sea level rise and erosion.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Sussex Inlet's Climate Risk Profile
Sussex Inlet, located on the South Coast of New South Wales, is a picturesque town known for its waterways and natural beauty. However, its coastal location also makes it vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Flooding is a significant concern for Sussex Inlet, with the potential for inundation from heavy rainfall, storm surges, and rising sea levels. The low-lying topography of the area exacerbates this risk, and future climate change scenarios project an increase in flood frequency and intensity.
Bushfire risk is also present in the surrounding areas, particularly during hot and dry periods. While not directly within a high-risk zone, the proximity to bushland means that Sussex Inlet needs to be prepared for potential bushfire threats.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in New South Wales, and Sussex Inlet is no exception. The increasing temperatures can pose health risks to vulnerable populations, especially during the summer months.
Coastal erosion and sea level rise are long-term threats to Sussex Inlet. The town's proximity to the coast makes it susceptible to erosion, and rising sea levels could lead to inundation of low-lying areas.
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 for Sussex Inlet?
The main climate change risks for Sussex Inlet are flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change.
How is the Shoalhaven City Council addressing climate change?
The Shoalhaven City Council is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes investing in flood defenses, managing bushfire risk, and developing a coastal management strategy.
What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?
Residents can take steps to prepare for climate change impacts by checking flood maps, assessing bushfire risk, considering the potential impacts of sea level rise, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage.
Where can I find more information about climate change projections for Sussex Inlet?
More information about climate change projections for Sussex Inlet can be found on the CSIRO website and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website.
What is the local council doing to protect the coastline from erosion?
The Shoalhaven City Council is actively monitoring coastal erosion and developing long-term coastal management strategies. These strategies may include beach nourishment, dune stabilization, and the construction of seawalls.
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