Climate Risk in Burleigh Waters, Queensland
Burleigh Waters faces increasing climate risks, particularly from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events and consider adaptation measures to protect their properties.
Is Burleigh Waters Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Burleigh Waters, Queensland, 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.
What the mapping shows for Burleigh Waters
Part of Burleigh Waters is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
1% of Burleigh Waters is mapped as part of the Queensland coastal management district (coastal management district declared under the Coastal Management Act 2016)
Queensland Coastal Management District, State of Queensland (Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation), Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-23
This is a share of the suburb's land area from a published state dataset, not an assessment of any property. A ClimateNest report scores the individual address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.
Check an address in Burleigh Waters →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Burleigh Waters
Flood
Burleigh Waters faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Burleigh Waters has a relatively low bushfire risk due to the limited bushland areas within and surrounding the suburb. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could elevate the risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Burleigh Waters is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. The increasing average temperatures pose a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
Coastal
Burleigh Waters faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. The suburb's proximity to the coast makes it vulnerable to erosion and inundation.
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 Burleigh Waters
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
Burleigh Waters is expected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. The increasing average temperatures pose a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising average temperatures
- ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Burleigh Waters faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Urban development
coastal Risk
Burleigh Waters faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. The suburb's proximity to the coast makes it vulnerable to erosion and inundation.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Burleigh Waters has a relatively low bushfire risk due to the limited bushland areas within and surrounding the suburb. However, increased temperatures and drier conditions could elevate the risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Vegetation dryness
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the rising risk of flooding and coastal hazards.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to coastal erosion.
- 3.Consider the potential impact of heatwaves on energy costs.
- 4.Inquire about insurance coverage and premiums.
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 Drainage Infrastructure
Near-termUpgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall and reduce flood risk.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreStrengthen Coastal Defenses
Near-termImplement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and dune restoration, to mitigate erosion.
Est. cost: Very High
Learn moreDevelop Heat Action Plan
ImmediateCreate a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreRaise Awareness of Climate Risks
Long-termEducate residents about the risks of climate change and how to prepare for extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePromote Water Conservation
Long-termEncourage water-saving practices to reduce strain on water resources during droughts and heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Burleigh Waters's Climate Risk Profile
Burleigh Waters, located on the Gold Coast, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The suburb's low-lying areas and proximity to the coast make it susceptible to flooding and coastal erosion. Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a significant threat to public health, especially for vulnerable populations.
Climate projections indicate that Burleigh Waters will experience more intense rainfall events, leading to increased flood risk. Sea level rise will exacerbate coastal erosion and inundation, potentially impacting properties and infrastructure along the coastline. The combination of these factors could lead to significant economic and social disruption.
Bushfire risk is relatively lower compared to other areas, but increasing temperatures and drier conditions could elevate the risk during prolonged dry spells. Residents should maintain their properties and be aware of bushfire safety guidelines.
Adapting to these changes is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Burleigh Waters. Implementing measures to reduce flood risk, protect coastal areas, and mitigate the impacts of heatwaves will be essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
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 Gold Coast
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks for Burleigh Waters?
The main risks include increased flooding, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to sea level rise.
How will climate change affect property values in Burleigh Waters?
Properties in high-risk areas, such as those prone to flooding or coastal erosion, may experience a decrease in value.
What can I do to protect my home from flooding?
Consider installing flood barriers, improving drainage around your property, and raising electrical appliances above flood level.
Where can I find information about emergency services during a disaster?
You can find information on the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) website or through the City of Gold Coast's emergency management resources.
What is the council doing to address climate change in Burleigh Waters?
The City of Gold Coast is implementing various strategies, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, protecting coastal areas, and promoting sustainable practices.
How can I prepare for a heatwave in Burleigh Waters?
Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
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 Burleigh Waters, use our analysis tool.
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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