Climate Risk in Thirroul, NSW
Thirroul is a coastal suburb in NSW that faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, particularly in terms of heatwaves and coastal erosion. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.
Is Thirroul Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Thirroul, 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 Thirroul
Flood
Thirroul faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to creeks and the coast. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near waterways.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Thirroul has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards residential areas.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Thirroul is experiencing increasing heatwave intensity and frequency. Higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days pose a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Key drivers:
- ·Global warming
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Thirroul faces a moderate coastal risk due to sea level rise and storm surges. Coastal erosion and inundation can impact properties and infrastructure along the coastline.
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 Thirroul
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
Thirroul is experiencing increasing heatwave intensity and frequency. Higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days pose a risk to vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Primary Drivers
- ·Global warming
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Thirroul faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to creeks and the coast. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties near waterways.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Urban development
coastal Risk
Thirroul faces a moderate coastal risk due to sea level rise and storm surges. Coastal erosion and inundation can impact properties and infrastructure along the coastline.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
bushfire Risk
Thirroul has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland areas nearby. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards residential areas.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
- ·Wind patterns
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase in the future due to the increasing risk of extreme weather events.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to climate change impacts.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to coastal erosion.
- 3.Inquire about past flood or bushfire events.
- 4.Consider the cost of insurance and potential increases in premiums.
- 5.Evaluate the property's energy efficiency and ability to withstand heatwaves.
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-termImprove drainage systems to reduce the risk of flash flooding during heavy rainfall events.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreStrengthen coastal defenses
Near-termInvest in coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreImplement a heatwave management plan
ImmediateDevelop a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreReduce bushfire risk
Near-termImplement bushfire mitigation measures, such as vegetation management and community education programs, to reduce the risk of bushfires spreading towards residential areas.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn morePromote water conservation
Long-termEncourage residents to conserve water through education and incentives to reduce strain on water resources during droughts.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Thirroul's Climate Risk Profile
Thirroul, a picturesque coastal suburb in New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The suburb's location makes it susceptible to a range of hazards, including flooding from heavy rainfall and rising sea levels, bushfires due to nearby bushland, and heatwaves during the summer months.
The risk of flooding in Thirroul is heightened by its proximity to creeks and the coast. Intense rainfall events can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flash flooding in low-lying areas. Sea level rise further exacerbates this risk, increasing the potential for coastal inundation during storm surges.
Bushfires pose another significant threat to Thirroul, particularly during hot, dry periods. The presence of bushland areas surrounding the suburb increases the risk of bushfires spreading towards residential areas. Residents need to be prepared for potential evacuations and property protection measures.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in Thirroul, posing a risk to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. Higher average temperatures and more extreme heat days can also strain infrastructure, such as power grids.
Coastal erosion is an ongoing concern for Thirroul, with rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threatening properties and infrastructure along the coastline. Protecting coastal areas from erosion will require a combination of hard and soft engineering solutions.
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
Wollongong City Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks for Thirroul?
Thirroul faces risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, all of which are expected to be exacerbated by climate change.
How will sea level rise affect Thirroul?
Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal erosion and inundation, particularly during storm surges, impacting properties and infrastructure along the coastline.
What can I do to prepare for heatwaves in Thirroul?
Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves. Ensure your home is well-insulated and consider installing energy-efficient cooling systems.
Is my property in Thirroul at risk of bushfire?
Properties on the western side of Thirroul, near the Royal National Park, are at higher risk of bushfire. Check the NSW Rural Fire Service website for bushfire-prone area designations and prepare a bushfire survival plan.
Where can I find information about flood risks in Thirroul?
Wollongong City Council provides flood maps and information about flood risks in Thirroul on their website. You can also contact the council directly for more information.
What is Wollongong Council doing to address climate change?
Wollongong City Council has a climate strategy that outlines actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Visit their website for more details.
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