Climate Risk in Clare, SA

Clare, South Australia
Updated Mar 2026

Clare faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves, which are projected to increase with climate change. The town's inland location mitigates coastal risks, but proactive adaptation measures are essential to protect the community and infrastructure from escalating climate hazards.

Is Clare Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Clare, South Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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.

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Clare

Flood

Clare faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Hutt River and other waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and infrastructure.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

The risk of bushfires in Clare is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and bushland posing a threat during hot and dry conditions. Increased temperatures and prolonged droughts can exacerbate the risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drought conditions

Heat

Clare is experiencing an increasing number of heatwaves and hotter days, posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations. The urban heat island effect can further amplify temperatures in built-up areas.

Key drivers:

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urbanisation

Coastal

Clare is located inland and does not face a direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea-level rise or coastal erosion.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Clare

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Clare is experiencing an increasing number of heatwaves and hotter days, posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations. The urban heat island effect can further amplify temperatures in built-up areas.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urbanisation
  • ·Reduced vegetation cover
Data source

flood Risk

Clare faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Hutt River and other waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine flooding, impacting low-lying areas and infrastructure.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Climate change
Data source

coastal Risk

Clare is located inland and does not face a direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea-level rise or coastal erosion.

Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfires in Clare is moderate, with surrounding grasslands and bushland posing a threat during hot and dry conditions. Increased temperatures and prolonged droughts can exacerbate the risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drought conditions
  • ·Fuel load
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in the future due to the increasing risk of flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves.

Price Impact

Properties in areas prone to flooding or bushfires may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check the flood risk of the property.
  • 2.Assess the bushfire risk of the property.
  • 3.Ensure the property is well-insulated to reduce heat stress.
  • 4.Consider the availability of emergency services in the area.

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

Construct levees and drainage systems to protect low-lying areas from flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Manage Vegetation to Reduce Bushfire Fuel Loads

Near-term

Implement controlled burns and vegetation clearing to reduce the risk of bushfires.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Implement Heatwave Early Warning Systems

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to conserve water through education and incentives to reduce water stress during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Upgrade Building Standards

Long-term

Implement stricter building codes to ensure that new buildings are more resilient to climate-related hazards such as flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Clare's Climate Risk Profile

Clare, located in the Clare Valley of South Australia, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from the Hutt River and other waterways, bushfires from surrounding grasslands and bushland, and heatwaves during the summer months.

Flooding events can inundate low-lying areas, disrupting transportation, damaging property, and posing risks to public health. Bushfires can threaten homes and businesses, particularly during periods of prolonged drought and high temperatures. Heatwaves can lead to heat stress and heatstroke, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Climate projections indicate that these risks are likely to intensify in the coming decades. Increased rainfall intensity is expected to exacerbate flooding, while rising temperatures and drier conditions will increase the frequency and severity of bushfires. Heatwaves are projected to become more frequent, longer, and hotter, placing additional strain on the community.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to implement adaptation measures such as improving flood defenses, managing vegetation to reduce bushfire fuel loads, and implementing heatwave early warning systems. Community awareness and preparedness are also crucial to ensure that residents are able to respond effectively to climate-related 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

Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks in Clare?

Clare faces increasing risks from flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves due to climate change. These hazards can impact property, infrastructure, and public health.

How is the local council addressing climate change?

The Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including improving flood defenses and managing vegetation to reduce bushfire risks.

What can I do to prepare for heatwaves in Clare?

During heatwaves, it is important to stay hydrated, stay cool, and avoid strenuous activities. Check on vulnerable neighbors and friends, and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of heat stress.

How can I protect my property from flooding in Clare?

Consider installing flood barriers, elevating appliances, and ensuring that your property is properly drained. Check your insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for flood damage.

What should I do during a bushfire in Clare?

If a bushfire threatens your property, follow the advice of emergency services. Evacuate if necessary, and take precautions to protect yourself from smoke inhalation.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Clare?

You can find more information about climate change in Clare on the Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council website, the South Australian Department for Environment and Water website, and the Bureau of Meteorology 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 Clare, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Clare's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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