Climate Risk in Henley Beach, SA

Henley Beach, South Australia· City of Charles Sturt· 5022
Updated Mar 2026

Henley Beach faces a medium climate risk, primarily due to 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 and take steps to protect their property.

Is Henley Beach Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Henley Beach, South Australia, 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.

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Henley Beach

Flood

Henley Beach faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Patawalonga River. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The risk of bushfire in Henley Beach is relatively low due to its coastal location and lack of significant vegetation. However, dry conditions and strong winds could increase the risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry conditions
  • ·Strong winds

Heat

Henley Beach is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future. This could pose a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

Henley Beach faces a moderate risk of coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge. This could damage coastal infrastructure and property.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

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Social

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Energy

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In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Henley Beach

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Henley Beach is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future. This could pose a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Henley Beach faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Patawalonga River. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge
Data source

coastal Risk

Henley Beach faces a moderate risk of coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge. This could damage coastal infrastructure and property.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surge
  • ·Erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The risk of bushfire in Henley Beach is relatively low due to its coastal location and lack of significant vegetation. However, dry conditions and strong winds could increase the risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry conditions
  • ·Strong winds
  • ·Proximity to grasslands
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase in the future due to climate change risks.

Price Impact

Climate change risks may have a moderate impact on property values in the long term.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Consider the potential impact of sea level rise on coastal properties.
  • 4.Inquire about council plans for climate change 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 drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to cope with increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement a heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop a system to alert residents to impending heatwaves and provide advice on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Protect coastal ecosystems

Long-term

Restore and protect coastal dunes and vegetation to reduce erosion and provide natural buffers against storm surge.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Raise awareness of climate change risks

Near-term

Educate residents about the risks of climate change and how to prepare for extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Near-term

Encourage residents to conserve water to reduce demand on water resources during droughts and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Henley Beach's Climate Risk Profile

Henley Beach, a coastal suburb of Adelaide, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks include flooding from increased rainfall and storm surge, heatwaves with rising temperatures, and coastal erosion due to sea level rise.

The suburb's low-lying coastal location makes it particularly susceptible to flooding. The Patawalonga River, which flows near Henley Beach, can overflow during heavy rainfall events, inundating nearby properties. Sea level rise is also exacerbating the risk of coastal inundation, especially during storm surges.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in South Australia, posing a significant health risk to residents, especially the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. The urban heat island effect can further amplify temperatures in built-up areas.

Coastal erosion is another concern for Henley Beach. Sea level rise is causing increased erosion of the coastline, threatening beaches, dunes, and coastal infrastructure. Protecting the coastline will require ongoing management and adaptation measures.

Addressing these climate risks will require a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to slow the pace of climate change. Local adaptation measures, such as improving drainage infrastructure, implementing heatwave early warning systems, and protecting coastal ecosystems, can help to reduce the impacts of climate change on Henley Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks in Henley Beach?

The main climate change risks in Henley Beach are flooding, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These risks are driven by increased rainfall intensity, rising temperatures, and sea level rise.

How will sea level rise affect Henley Beach?

Sea level rise will increase the risk of coastal inundation and erosion in Henley Beach. This could damage coastal infrastructure and property, and threaten beaches and dunes.

What can I do to prepare for heatwaves in Henley Beach?

During heatwaves, it is important to stay cool, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activity. Check on vulnerable neighbors and family members. Consider installing air conditioning or visiting a cooling center.

Is my property at risk of flooding in Henley Beach?

Properties near the Patawalonga River and in low-lying coastal areas are at higher risk of flooding. Check the council's flood maps to assess your property's risk. Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage.

What is the council doing to address climate change in Henley Beach?

The City of Charles Sturt is implementing a range of measures to address climate change, including upgrading drainage infrastructure, promoting water conservation, and developing a climate change adaptation strategy.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Henley Beach?

You can find more information about climate change risks in Henley Beach on the City of Charles Sturt website, the South Australian Department for Environment and Water website, and the CSIRO 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 Henley Beach, use our analysis tool.

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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