Climate Risk Profile: Windang, NSW
Windang is a coastal suburb in New South Wales that faces significant climate risks, particularly from flooding and coastal erosion. The suburb's low-lying location and proximity to Lake Illawarra and the ocean make it vulnerable to rising sea levels and increased rainfall intensity. Residents should be aware of these risks and take steps to prepare for potential impacts.
Is Windang Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Windang, 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 Windang
Flood
Windang faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to Lake Illawarra and the ocean. Intense rainfall events can lead to both riverine and coastal flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
Bushfire
Windang has a moderate bushfire risk due to nearby bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Windang is experiencing an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, especially during summer.
Key drivers:
- ·Climate change
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Windang is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The coastline is already experiencing erosion, and this is expected to worsen.
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 Windang
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
Windang is experiencing an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, especially during summer.
Primary Drivers
- ·Climate change
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Windang faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to Lake Illawarra and the ocean. Intense rainfall events can lead to both riverine and coastal flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Storm surges
coastal Risk
Windang is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The coastline is already experiencing erosion, and this is expected to worsen.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
- ·Erosion
bushfire Risk
Windang has a moderate bushfire risk due to nearby bushland areas. 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 are likely to increase due to the high risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value as climate risks become more apparent.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and coastal erosion zones.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
- 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
ImmediateImprove drainage systems to manage increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flash flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreConstruct Coastal Defenses
Near-termBuild seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against erosion and inundation.
Est. cost: Very High
Learn moreImplement Heatwave Early Warning System
ImmediateDevelop a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreBushfire Management Plan
Near-termCreate and implement a bushfire management plan to reduce the risk of bushfires impacting the community.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreCommunity Education Programs
Long-termEducate residents about climate risks and how to prepare for extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Windang's Climate Risk Profile
Windang is a suburb located in the City of Wollongong, New South Wales. It is situated on a narrow strip of land between Lake Illawarra and the Pacific Ocean, making it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The primary climate risks for Windang are flooding, coastal erosion, and heatwaves. Flooding can occur from both riverine and coastal sources, with intense rainfall events and storm surges posing a significant threat. Sea level rise is exacerbating coastal erosion, leading to loss of land and damage to infrastructure.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. The urban heat island effect can further amplify the impacts of heatwaves in built-up areas.
Addressing these climate risks requires a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. Adaptation strategies include improving drainage infrastructure, constructing seawalls, and implementing early warning systems. Mitigation efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of climate change. Residents can also take individual actions to reduce their vulnerability, such as preparing emergency kits and staying informed about weather forecasts.
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 Wollongong
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks for Windang?
Windang is primarily at risk from flooding, coastal erosion, and heatwaves due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to Lake Illawarra and the ocean.
How is the council addressing climate change in Windang?
The City of Wollongong is implementing various strategies to address climate change, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, constructing coastal defenses, and developing a heatwave early warning system.
What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?
Residents can prepare by checking flood maps, assessing their property's vulnerability to heatwaves, inquiring about insurance costs, and reviewing the council's climate adaptation plans. Preparing emergency kits and staying informed about weather forecasts are also important.
Are insurance premiums likely to increase in Windang due to climate change?
Yes, insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the high risk of flooding and coastal erosion in Windang.
Will property values be affected by climate change in Windang?
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value as climate risks become more apparent.
Where can I find more information about flood risks in Windang?
You can find more information about flood risks on the City of Wollongong 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 Windang, use our analysis tool.
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Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections