Climate Risk in Rosslea, QLD
Rosslea is a suburb in Townsville, Queensland, that faces moderate climate risks. The primary concerns are flooding, heatwaves, and potential coastal impacts. Residents should prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
Is Rosslea Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Rosslea, 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 Rosslea
Part of Rosslea is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
52.3% of Rosslea 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 Rosslea →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Rosslea
Flood
Rosslea faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Ross River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Proximity to waterways
Bushfire
Rosslea has a relatively low bushfire risk due to its urbanized environment and distance from large bushland areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can still pose a threat.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry conditions
- ·Strong winds
Heat
Rosslea experiences high temperatures during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Rosslea is located inland from the coast, but is still potentially vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, particularly in low-lying areas along the Ross River.
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 Rosslea
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
Rosslea experiences high temperatures during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
- ·Increased humidity
flood Risk
Rosslea faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Ross River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Proximity to waterways
- ·Urban development
coastal Risk
Rosslea is located inland from the coast, but is still potentially vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, particularly in low-lying areas along the Ross River.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
- ·Erosion
bushfire Risk
Rosslea has a relatively low bushfire risk due to its urbanized environment and distance from large bushland areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can still pose a threat.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry conditions
- ·Strong winds
- ·Proximity to vegetation
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the rising risk of flooding and other climate-related hazards.
Price Impact
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value as climate risks become more apparent.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and historical flood data.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Inquire about insurance costs and coverage.
- 4.Consider the potential impact of climate change on property value.
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-termInvest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing of buildings.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop a Heat Action Plan
ImmediateImplement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreStrengthen Coastal Protection
Long-termImplement measures to protect coastal areas from sea level rise and storm surges, such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and mangrove restoration.
Est. cost: Very High
Learn moreEnhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement measures to reduce bushfire risk, such as vegetation management, fire breaks, and community education programs.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Rosslea's Climate Risk Profile
Rosslea, located in Townsville, Queensland, is susceptible to a range of climate-related hazards. The suburb's proximity to the Ross River makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding, which is expected to worsen with increased rainfall intensity due to climate change.
Heatwaves are another significant concern for Rosslea. Rising global temperatures and the urban heat island effect are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing health risks to vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
While Rosslea is not directly on the coast, it is still potentially vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, particularly in low-lying areas along the Ross River. These events could cause damage to property and infrastructure.
Bushfire risk is relatively low in Rosslea due to its urbanized environment. However, dry conditions and strong winds can still pose a threat, particularly in areas adjacent to vegetation. Residents should maintain their properties to minimize fire hazards.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Rosslea?
The main climate change risks in Rosslea are flooding, heatwaves, and potential coastal impacts from sea level rise and storm surges.
How will climate change affect property values in Rosslea?
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value as climate risks become more apparent. Insurance costs are also likely to increase.
What is the council doing to address climate change in Rosslea?
The Townsville City Council is implementing various measures to address climate change, including improving flood defenses, developing a heat action plan, and strengthening coastal protection.
How can I prepare my home for flooding in Rosslea?
You can prepare your home for flooding by flood-proofing your property, elevating appliances, and having an emergency plan in place.
What should I do during a heatwave in Rosslea?
During a heatwave, stay cool and hydrated, avoid strenuous activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
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