Climate Risk in Bunbury, Western Australia
Bunbury faces a range of climate-related risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change. Residents and businesses should take steps to prepare for these challenges.
Is Bunbury Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Bunbury, Western Australia, 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.
Climate Hazard Breakdown for Bunbury
Flood
Bunbury faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Preston River and Leschenault Estuary. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate these risks.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Bunbury has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland and dry vegetation during the summer months. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns could increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Bunbury is projected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
Coastal
Bunbury is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge. This poses a threat to coastal infrastructure, properties, and ecosystems.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Bunbury
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
Bunbury is projected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·More frequent heatwaves
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Bunbury faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Preston River and Leschenault Estuary. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate these risks.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
coastal Risk
Bunbury is vulnerable to coastal erosion and inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge. This poses a threat to coastal infrastructure, properties, and ecosystems.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Storm surge
- ·Coastal erosion
bushfire Risk
Bunbury has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby bushland and dry vegetation during the summer months. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns could increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Increased fuel load
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase in areas at high risk of flooding, bushfire, or coastal erosion.
Price Impact
Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value due to climate change impacts.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area maps.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to coastal erosion and sea level rise.
- 3.Inquire about the property's insurance history and potential premium increases.
- 4.Consider the property's energy efficiency and potential for solar power.
- 5.Review the City of Bunbury's climate change adaptation plan.
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 drainage infrastructure
Near-termImprove drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreImplement coastal protection measures
Long-termConstruct seawalls and other coastal protection structures to protect against sea level rise and storm surge.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreDevelop a heatwave plan
ImmediateImplement a heatwave plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePromote bushfire preparedness
Near-termEducate residents about bushfire safety and encourage them to prepare their properties for bushfires.
Est. cost: Low
Learn moreInvest in renewable energy
Long-termTransition to renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Bunbury's Climate Risk Profile
Bunbury is a coastal city located in Western Australia, approximately 175 kilometers south of Perth. The city is situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by the Leschenault Estuary and the Preston River.
Climate change is projected to have a significant impact on Bunbury, with increasing temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, changes in rainfall patterns, and sea level rise. These changes will exacerbate existing climate-related risks, such as flooding, bushfires, and coastal erosion.
Flooding is a major concern for Bunbury, particularly in low-lying coastal areas. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to increase the frequency and severity of flooding events. Bushfires are also a risk, particularly during the dry summer months. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns could increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Heatwaves are projected to become more frequent and intense in Bunbury, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. Sea level rise is also a threat, potentially leading to coastal erosion and inundation of low-lying areas. It is crucial for the community to adapt to these changes.
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
City of Bunbury
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks facing Bunbury?
Bunbury faces a range of climate change risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change.
How is the City of Bunbury preparing for climate change?
The City of Bunbury is developing and implementing a climate change adaptation plan to address the risks posed by climate change. This plan includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resilience to extreme weather events, and protect vulnerable populations.
What can residents do to prepare for climate change?
Residents can take a number of steps to prepare for climate change, such as improving the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing their water consumption, preparing for extreme weather events, and supporting local climate action initiatives.
Where can I find more information about climate change in Bunbury?
You can find more information about climate change in Bunbury on the City of Bunbury website, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Is my property at risk of flooding in Bunbury?
Properties near the Preston River and Leschenault Estuary are at higher risk of flooding. Check the City of Bunbury's flood maps to assess your property's risk.
What should I do during a heatwave in Bunbury?
During a heatwave, stay indoors in air-conditioned buildings, drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
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