Climate Risk in Caloundra, QLD
Caloundra faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity are key drivers of these risks. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.
Is Caloundra Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Caloundra, 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 Caloundra
Part of Caloundra is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
4.6% of Caloundra 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 Caloundra →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Caloundra
Flood
Caloundra faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal areas and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Caloundra is relatively low compared to other regions, but some areas near bushland reserves are still susceptible, particularly during dry periods.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Wind conditions
Heat
Caloundra experiences a moderate risk from heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heat stress events projected in the future.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Caloundra is exposed to coastal hazards such as sea level rise and storm surge, which can lead to erosion and inundation of low-lying areas.
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 Caloundra
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
Caloundra experiences a moderate risk from heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heat stress events projected in the future.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Caloundra faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal areas and proximity to waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Urban development
coastal Risk
Caloundra is exposed to coastal hazards such as sea level rise and storm surge, which can lead to erosion and inundation of low-lying areas.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Caloundra is relatively low compared to other regions, but some areas near bushland reserves are still susceptible, particularly during dry periods.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·Wind conditions
- ·Land management practices
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in high-risk areas
Price Impact
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience price reductions
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data
- 2.Assess property's elevation and drainage
- 3.Consider potential impacts of sea level rise
- 4.Evaluate bushfire risk if near bushland
- 5.Inquire about insurance costs and 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 stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure to reduce the risk of flash flooding.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreRaise awareness of heatwave risks
ImmediateImplement public awareness campaigns to educate residents about heatwave risks and protective measures.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreStrengthen coastal defenses
Long-termInvest in coastal protection measures such as seawalls and beach nourishment to reduce erosion and inundation.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop emergency response plans
ImmediateCreate and regularly update emergency response plans for floods, bushfires, and heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Caloundra's Climate Risk Profile
Caloundra, located on the Sunshine Coast, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from intense rainfall and rising sea levels, heatwaves with increasing average temperatures, and coastal erosion due to storm surges.
Flooding is a significant concern due to the suburb's low-lying coastal areas and proximity to waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flood events. Sea level rise exacerbates the risk, inundating low-lying areas and increasing the impact of storm surges.
Heatwaves are also becoming more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. Rising average temperatures and the urban heat island effect contribute to this risk. Coastal erosion is another concern, with sea level rise and storm surges threatening beaches and infrastructure.
Residents and property owners should take steps to prepare for these risks, including implementing flood mitigation measures, improving home cooling, and protecting coastal properties. The local council is also working to address climate change through adaptation planning and infrastructure improvements.
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
Sunshine Coast Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Caloundra?
The main climate change risks in Caloundra are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to sea level rise and storm surges.
How is the Sunshine Coast Council addressing climate change?
The Sunshine Coast Council is implementing various strategies to address climate change, including adaptation planning, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement programs.
What can I do to prepare for floods in Caloundra?
You can prepare for floods by checking flood maps, assessing your property's elevation and drainage, and developing an emergency plan.
How can I protect myself from heatwaves in Caloundra?
You can protect yourself from heatwaves by staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.
Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Caloundra?
You can find more information about climate change risks in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast Council website, the Queensland Government website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.
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