Climate Risk in Oonoonba, QLD

Oonoonba, Queensland

Updated Apr 2026

Oonoonba faces moderate climate risks, primarily related to flooding, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting property values and community well-being. Residents should take steps to prepare for these challenges.

Is Oonoonba Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Oonoonba, Queensland, 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.

What the mapping shows for Oonoonba

Part of Oonoonba is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
47.5% of Oonoonba 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 Oonoonba →

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Oonoonba

Flood

Oonoonba is located near Ross River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events and sea levels, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Sea level rise

Bushfire

While not immediately adjacent to dense bushland, Oonoonba has some exposure to bushfire risk due to nearby vegetation and prevailing winds. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change can increase the likelihood and intensity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions

Heat

Oonoonba experiences high temperatures during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Key drivers:

·Rising average temperatures
·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Located near the coast, Oonoonba is vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to accelerate these processes, threatening coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Key drivers:

·Sea level rise
·Coastal erosion

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Oonoonba

Should I Buy

Property buying guide with climate risk assessment

Flood Risk

Flood zone mapping, historical events, and projections

Bushfire Risk

BAL assessment, vegetation proximity, and fire history

Climate Safety

Multi-hazard safety assessment to 2050

Storm Risk

Severe weather, hail, and wind risk analysis

Heat Risk

Extreme heat days, urban heat island, and cooling costs

Insurance Costs

Premium estimates and insurance availability

Investment Score

Climate-adjusted property investment analysis

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Primary Drivers

·Rising average temperatures
·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Data source

flood Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased rainfall intensity
·Sea level rise
·Storm surge

Data source

coastal Risk

Primary Drivers

·Sea level rise
·Coastal erosion
·Storm surge

Data source

bushfire Risk

Primary Drivers

·Increased temperatures
·Drier conditions
·Wind patterns

Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to climate-related risks.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
2.Assess the property's vulnerability to bushfire.
3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise.
4.Inquire about council plans for climate adaptation.

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 Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Implement measures to protect against coastal erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Clear vegetation around properties and develop evacuation plans to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Oonoonba's Climate Risk Profile

Oonoonba, Queensland, is a suburb that faces a range of climate-related challenges. Its location near Ross River and the coast makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. The increasing intensity of rainfall events and rising sea levels, driven by climate change, are expected to worsen these flood risks in the coming decades.

While not as immediate a threat as flooding, bushfire risk is also present in Oonoonba due to nearby vegetation and prevailing winds. Hotter, drier conditions associated with climate change can increase the likelihood and intensity of bushfires, posing a threat to properties and the environment.

Heatwaves are another significant concern for Oonoonba residents. The suburb already experiences high temperatures during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of these heatwaves. This can lead to heat stress and other health problems, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Finally, Oonoonba's coastal location makes it susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. These processes are expected to accelerate with climate change, potentially damaging coastal infrastructure and ecosystems. Residents and property owners should be aware of these risks and take appropriate adaptation measures.

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

Townsville City Council

Climate Strategy Flood Maps Emergency Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks in Oonoonba?

The main risks are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, all of which are expected to worsen with climate change.

How can I protect my property from flooding?

Consider installing flood barriers, elevating appliances, and purchasing flood insurance.

What should I do during a heatwave?

Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activities.

Is Oonoonba in a bushfire-prone area?

Yes, Oonoonba is considered a bushfire-prone area. Residents should take precautions to protect their properties.

Where can I find more information about climate change impacts in Townsville?

Visit the Townsville City Council website or the Queensland Government's Department of Environment and Science 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 Oonoonba, use our analysis tool.

Analyse a Property in Oonoonba →

Check Your flood Risk Now

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Get Your flood Risk Report — A$49

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

Check your address →

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