Climate Risk in Devonport, Tasmania
Devonport faces a moderate climate risk, primarily driven by coastal hazards and flooding. Rising sea levels and increased rainfall intensity pose significant threats to the region. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events and potential impacts on property and infrastructure.
Is Devonport Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Devonport, Tasmania, 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 Devonport
Part of Devonport is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.
1.3% of Devonport is mapped as subject to coastal inundation (coastal inundation hazard band, including 1% AEP storm tide at 2100)
7.7% of Devonport is mapped as subject to coastal erosion (coastal erosion hazard band mapped for the Tasmanian planning system)
Tasmanian Coastal Inundation Hazard Bands (20161201), State of Tasmania (Department of Premier and Cabinet), 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 Devonport →Climate Hazard Breakdown for Devonport
Flood
Devonport faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Mersey River and coastal location. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Devonport is relatively low compared to other regions in Tasmania, but still present due to surrounding vegetation. Drier conditions and increased temperatures could elevate this risk.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Devonport is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
Coastal
Devonport is highly vulnerable to coastal inundation and erosion due to sea level rise. Low-lying areas are particularly at risk, potentially impacting infrastructure and property.
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 Devonport
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
Devonport is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect (minor)
flood Risk
Devonport faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Mersey River and coastal location. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Riverine flooding
coastal Risk
Devonport is highly vulnerable to coastal inundation and erosion due to sea level rise. Low-lying areas are particularly at risk, potentially impacting infrastructure and property.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surges
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Bushfire risk in Devonport is relatively low compared to other regions in Tasmania, but still present due to surrounding vegetation. Drier conditions and increased temperatures could elevate this risk.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Vegetation density
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in areas prone to flooding and coastal inundation.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value over time.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and coastal inundation zones.
- 2.Assess the property's elevation and drainage.
- 3.Inquire about past flood or coastal erosion events.
- 4.Review insurance options and potential premium increases.
- 5.Consider the long-term climate risks to the property.
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
Upgrade Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in upgrading flood defenses, such as levees and drainage systems, to protect properties and infrastructure from increased flood risk.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreCoastal Protection Measures
Near-termImplement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreHeatwave Preparedness Plan
ImmediateDevelop and implement a heatwave preparedness plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events. This includes establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreBushfire Risk Mitigation
Long-termImplement bushfire risk mitigation measures, such as vegetation management and community education programs, to reduce the risk of bushfires in surrounding areas.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreClimate-Resilient Infrastructure
Long-termEnsure that all new infrastructure projects are designed to be climate-resilient, taking into account the projected impacts of climate change.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Devonport's Climate Risk Profile
Devonport, located on the north coast of Tasmania, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its coastal location and proximity to the Mersey River. Sea level rise poses a significant threat, increasing the risk of coastal inundation and erosion, especially in low-lying areas. This could impact residential properties, infrastructure, and local ecosystems.
Increased rainfall intensity is expected to exacerbate the risk of riverine and flash flooding. The Mersey River, which flows through Devonport, could overflow its banks more frequently, causing damage to properties and disrupting transportation networks. Effective flood management strategies are crucial to mitigate these risks.
While bushfire risk is relatively lower compared to other parts of Tasmania, drier conditions and increased temperatures could elevate the risk in areas surrounding Devonport. It's important to maintain awareness and preparedness for potential bushfire events, especially during the summer months.
Heatwaves are also projected to become more frequent and intense, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. Implementing heat mitigation strategies, such as urban greening and public awareness campaigns, can help reduce the impact of extreme heat events. Overall, Devonport needs to proactively adapt to the changing climate to protect its community and environment.
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
Devonport City Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks in Devonport?
The main climate change risks in Devonport are coastal inundation, flooding, and heatwaves. Sea level rise and increased rainfall intensity are expected to exacerbate these risks.
How is the Devonport City Council addressing climate change?
The Devonport City Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This includes upgrading flood defenses and implementing coastal protection measures.
What can I do to prepare for climate change in Devonport?
You can prepare for climate change by checking flood maps, assessing your property's risk, and developing a personal emergency plan. Stay informed about weather warnings and follow the advice of emergency services.
Will climate change affect property values in Devonport?
Climate change may affect property values in high-risk areas, particularly those prone to flooding and coastal inundation. It's important to consider the long-term climate risks when buying or selling property.
Where can I find more information about climate change in Devonport?
You can find more information about climate change in Devonport on the Devonport City Council website, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Is Devonport likely to experience more bushfires due to climate change?
While Devonport is not considered a high bushfire risk area, drier conditions and increased temperatures could elevate the risk in surrounding areas. It's important to stay informed and prepared, especially during the summer months.
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 Devonport, use our analysis tool.
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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