Climate Risk Profile: Thursday Island, QLD
Thursday Island faces significant climate change risks, particularly from flooding and coastal hazards. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity pose a threat to infrastructure and communities. Heatwaves are also expected to become more frequent and intense.
Is Thursday Island Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Thursday Island, 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 Thursday Island
Part of Thursday Island is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
52.3% of Thursday Island 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 Thursday Island →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Thursday Island
Flood
Thursday Island faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Sea level rise and storm surges exacerbate this risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
Bushfire
Bushfire risk on Thursday Island is relatively low due to the island's limited vegetation and high humidity. However, dry periods can increase the risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry periods
- ·Vegetation type
Heat
Thursday Island experiences high temperatures and humidity, leading to significant heat stress. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
Key drivers:
- ·Rising temperatures
- ·High humidity
Coastal
Thursday Island is highly vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The low-lying nature of the island makes it particularly susceptible.
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 Thursday Island
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
Thursday Island experiences high temperatures and humidity, leading to significant heat stress. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising temperatures
- ·High humidity
flood Risk
Thursday Island faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and susceptibility to heavy rainfall events. Sea level rise and storm surges exacerbate this risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Storm surges
coastal Risk
Thursday Island is highly vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surges. The low-lying nature of the island makes it particularly susceptible.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk on Thursday Island is relatively low due to the island's limited vegetation and high humidity. However, dry periods can increase the risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry periods
- ·Vegetation type
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to the high risk of flooding and coastal damage.
Price Impact
Property values may be negatively impacted by climate change risks.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood history of the property.
- 2.Assess coastal erosion risks.
- 3.Inquire about insurance costs.
- 4.Consider long-term climate change impacts.
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
Coastal Protection Measures
ImmediateImplement coastal protection measures such as seawalls, revetments, and beach nourishment to reduce erosion and inundation.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreImproved Drainage Infrastructure
Near-termUpgrade drainage infrastructure to manage increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreHeatwave Management Plan
ImmediateDevelop and implement a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreCommunity Awareness Programs
Long-termConduct community awareness programs to educate residents about climate change risks and adaptation strategies.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Thursday Island's Climate Risk Profile
Thursday Island, located in the Torres Strait, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The island's low-lying coastal geography makes it particularly susceptible to sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion. These factors contribute to a high flood risk, threatening homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Rising temperatures and high humidity levels already create challenging conditions on Thursday Island. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a significant risk to public health, especially for vulnerable populations.
While bushfire risk is relatively low compared to other parts of Queensland, dry periods can increase the potential for vegetation fires. It's important to maintain awareness and preparedness for such events.
The Torres Strait Island Regional Council is working to address climate change challenges through various adaptation strategies. However, the scale of the threat requires ongoing investment and community involvement to ensure the long-term resilience of Thursday Island.
Protecting coastal areas, improving drainage infrastructure, and implementing heatwave management plans are crucial steps. Community education and awareness programs are also essential to build resilience and promote adaptive behaviors.
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
Torres Strait Island Regional Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks for Thursday Island?
The main climate change risks for Thursday Island are flooding, coastal erosion, and heatwaves. Sea level rise and increased storm intensity exacerbate these risks.
How is the council addressing climate change?
The Torres Strait Island Regional Council is implementing various adaptation strategies, including coastal protection measures and improved drainage infrastructure. They are also working to raise community awareness about climate change risks.
What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?
Residents can prepare for climate change impacts by checking the flood history of their property, assessing coastal erosion risks, and inquiring about insurance costs. It's also important to stay informed about emergency plans and community awareness programs.
Where can I find more information about flood risks on Thursday Island?
You can find more information about flood risks on the Torres Strait Island Regional Council website or by contacting the council directly. State government resources also provide valuable information.
Are there any government grants available for climate change adaptation?
Government grants for climate change adaptation may be available from time to time. Check the websites of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, the Queensland Government, and the Australian Government for current opportunities.
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