Climate Risk Profile: Westmere, VIC
Westmere faces moderate risks from flooding and heatwaves, with a lower risk from bushfires. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, particularly flooding and heat. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.
Is Westmere Safe from Climate Risk?
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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.
Climate Hazard Breakdown for Westmere
Flood
Westmere faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Poor drainage infrastructure
Bushfire
The area around Westmere has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding grasslands and bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Key drivers:
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
Heat
Westmere is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses 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
Westmere 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 Westmere
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
Westmere is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Rising global temperatures
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Westmere faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Poor drainage infrastructure
- ·Climate change
coastal Risk
Westmere is located inland and does not face a direct risk from coastal hazards such as sea level rise or coastal erosion.
Data sourcebushfire Risk
The area around Westmere has a moderate bushfire risk due to surrounding grasslands and bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Primary Drivers
- ·Dry vegetation
- ·High temperatures
- ·Strong winds
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and heatwave risks.
Price Impact
Properties in flood-prone areas may experience a decrease in value.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and insurance costs.
- 2.Assess property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Review bushfire risk and mitigation measures.
- 4.Understand council's climate adaptation plans.
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 improved drainage infrastructure and flood barriers to protect properties from increasing flood risk.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreDevelop Heatwave Preparedness Plan
ImmediateImplement a community heatwave preparedness plan, including cooling centers and outreach to vulnerable residents.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreEnhance Bushfire Mitigation
Long-termImplement stricter building codes for new developments in bushfire-prone areas and promote property maintenance to reduce fuel loads.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn morePromote Water Conservation
Near-termEncourage water conservation measures to reduce water stress during periods of drought and heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreAbout Westmere's Climate Risk Profile
Westmere, Victoria, is a rural locality that faces a number of climate-related challenges. The primary concerns are increasing flood risk due to more intense rainfall events and rising temperatures leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves.
The area's proximity to waterways makes it susceptible to flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. Climate change is projected to increase the intensity of these rainfall events, further elevating the flood risk. Residents should be aware of flood warnings and have a plan in place to protect their property and ensure their safety.
Heatwaves are also a growing concern for Westmere. As temperatures rise, the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses increases, particularly for vulnerable populations. It is important to stay hydrated, seek shelter in cool places, and check on elderly neighbors during heatwaves.
While bushfire risk is present, it is not as significant as the risks from flooding and heatwaves. However, residents should still be aware of the potential for bushfires and take steps to reduce their risk, such as maintaining their property and having a bushfire survival plan.
Overall, Westmere needs to adapt to the changing climate by investing in flood mitigation measures, implementing heatwave preparedness plans, and promoting community awareness of climate risks.
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
Pyrenees Shire Council
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate risks facing Westmere?
The main climate risks are increasing flood risk due to more intense rainfall events and rising temperatures leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. There is also a moderate risk of bushfires.
How is the local council addressing climate change?
The Pyrenees Shire Council is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to address the risks facing the community. Check their website for more information.
What can I do to prepare for heatwaves?
Stay hydrated, seek shelter in cool places, check on elderly neighbors, and follow advice from health authorities.
How can I protect my property from flooding?
Check flood maps, ensure proper drainage, consider installing flood barriers, and have an emergency plan in place.
Is my property in a bushfire-prone area?
Contact the Pyrenees Shire Council to determine if your property is in a designated bushfire-prone area. Follow their guidelines for property maintenance and bushfire preparedness.
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