Climate Risk in Tempe, NSW

Tempe, New South Wales· Inner West· 2044
Updated May 2026

Tempe faces moderate risks from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, particularly through increased rainfall intensity, rising temperatures, and sea level rise. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

Is Tempe Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Flood

Tempe faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cooks River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

Bushfire risk in Tempe is relatively low due to the urban environment and limited vegetation. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could slightly elevate the risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Tempe is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Urban heat island effect will amplify the impact, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Tempe faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to its proximity to the Cooks River and Botany Bay. Sea level rise and storm surges could lead to inundation and erosion.

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 Tempe

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Tempe is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. Urban heat island effect will amplify the impact, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

Tempe faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cooks River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

Tempe faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to its proximity to the Cooks River and Botany Bay. Sea level rise and storm surges could lead to inundation and erosion.

Primary Drivers

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

bushfire Risk

Bushfire risk in Tempe is relatively low due to the urban environment and limited vegetation. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could slightly elevate the risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Limited vegetation
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to increased flood and coastal risks.

Price Impact

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

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Consider potential impacts of sea level rise.
  • 4.Review council's climate 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

Upgrade drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in upgrading drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement urban greening initiatives

Near-term

Increase tree canopy cover and green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Strengthen coastal protection measures

Long-term

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

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop community emergency plans

Immediate

Create community-based emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Near-term

Encourage water conservation practices to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Tempe's Climate Risk Profile

Tempe, a suburb in Sydney's Inner West, is exposed to a range of climate-related risks. Its location near the Cooks River and Botany Bay makes it vulnerable to flooding and coastal inundation. The urban environment also contributes to the urban heat island effect, increasing the severity of heatwaves.

Climate change projections indicate that Tempe will experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, increased rainfall intensity, and rising sea levels. These changes will exacerbate existing risks and pose new challenges for residents and infrastructure. Flooding is a significant concern, as increased rainfall could overwhelm drainage systems and inundate low-lying areas.

The urban heat island effect will amplify the impact of heatwaves, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. Rising sea levels and storm surges could lead to coastal erosion and inundation, threatening properties and infrastructure along the Cooks River and Botany Bay.

Addressing these climate risks requires a multi-faceted approach, including investments in flood mitigation infrastructure, urban greening initiatives to reduce the urban heat island effect, and adaptation measures to protect coastal areas. Community awareness and preparedness are also crucial to minimizing the impact of extreme weather events. Planning and policy decisions should consider climate change projections to ensure long-term resilience.

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 in Tempe?

Tempe faces risks from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards due to its location and urban environment. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks.

How will climate change affect property values in Tempe?

Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value. Insurance premiums may also increase due to increased risks.

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

The Inner West Council is implementing various initiatives, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, promoting urban greening, and developing community emergency plans.

How can residents prepare for heatwaves in Tempe?

Residents can prepare by staying hydrated, seeking shade, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. Consider installing air conditioning or fans.

What should I do during a flood in Tempe?

During a flood, avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. Follow instructions from emergency services and evacuate if necessary.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Tempe?

You can find information about flood risks on the Inner West 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 Tempe, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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 in Tempe, NSW | ClimateNest