Climate Risk in Roebourne, Western Australia
Roebourne is a town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia facing increasing climate risks. The primary hazards are bushfire, heatwaves, flooding, and coastal inundation. These risks are projected to worsen in the coming decades due to climate change.
Is Roebourne Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Roebourne, 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 Roebourne
Flood
Roebourne faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Harding River and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
Bushfire
Roebourne is at high risk of bushfires due to the surrounding arid grasslands and scrub. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during the fire season.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
Heat
Roebourne experiences extreme heat, with very high average maximum temperatures during summer. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
Key drivers:
- ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
- ·Urban heat island effect
Coastal
Roebourne faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. Low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to inundation and erosion.
Key drivers:
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
Wind
Data being compiled
Storm
Data being compiled
Social
Data being compiled
Energy
Data being compiled
In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Roebourne
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
Roebourne experiences extreme heat, with very high average maximum temperatures during summer. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased greenhouse gas emissions
- ·Urban heat island effect
flood Risk
Roebourne faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Harding River and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased rainfall intensity
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Urban development
coastal Risk
Roebourne faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards, including sea level rise and storm surge. Low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to inundation and erosion.
Primary Drivers
- ·Sea level rise
- ·Increased storm intensity
bushfire Risk
Roebourne is at high risk of bushfires due to the surrounding arid grasslands and scrub. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during the fire season.
Primary Drivers
- ·Increased temperatures
- ·Drier conditions
- ·Fuel load
What This Means for Property Owners
Insurance Outlook
Insurance premiums may increase due to climate risks.
Price Impact
Property values may be affected by increasing climate risks.
Buyer Checklist
- 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone area designations.
- 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
- 3.Consider the potential impact of climate change on insurance premiums.
- 4.Review the 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-termConstruct levees and drainage systems to protect low-lying areas from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreEnhance Bushfire Preparedness
ImmediateImplement vegetation management programs, create firebreaks, and improve community education on bushfire safety.
Est. cost: Medium
Learn moreDevelop a Heat Action Plan
ImmediateEstablish cooling centers, provide public health advice on heat safety, and ensure access to water during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Learn morePlan for Sea Level Rise
Long-termAssess the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to sea level rise and develop adaptation strategies, such as managed retreat or coastal protection measures.
Est. cost: Very High
Learn moreUpgrade Infrastructure Resilience
Near-termEnsure that critical infrastructure, such as power and water supplies, is resilient to extreme weather events.
Est. cost: High
Learn moreAbout Roebourne's Climate Risk Profile
Roebourne, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The town's geographical location and climate make it susceptible to a range of hazards, including bushfires, heatwaves, flooding, and coastal inundation.
Bushfire risk is particularly high due to the surrounding arid grasslands and scrub. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds create ideal conditions for bushfires to ignite and spread rapidly. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, leading to more frequent and intense bushfires.
Heatwaves are another significant concern for Roebourne. The town already experiences extreme heat during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a serious risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Flooding is also a risk, particularly in low-lying areas near the Harding River. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding, causing damage to property and infrastructure. Sea level rise is expected to increase the risk of coastal inundation, particularly during storm surges.
Addressing these climate risks will require a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. Adaptation measures include building more resilient infrastructure, improving emergency response capabilities, and implementing land-use planning policies that reduce exposure to hazards. Mitigation measures include reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of climate change.
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 Karratha
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main climate change risks facing Roebourne?
Roebourne faces increasing risks from bushfires, heatwaves, flooding, and coastal inundation due to climate change.
How is the City of Karratha addressing climate change?
The City of Karratha is developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies to reduce the town's vulnerability to climate hazards.
What can residents do to prepare for bushfires?
Residents can prepare for bushfires by clearing vegetation around their homes, creating a bushfire survival plan, and staying informed about fire danger ratings.
Where can I find information about flood risks in Roebourne?
Information about flood risks in Roebourne can be found on the City of Karratha website and from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
How can I stay safe during a heatwave?
During a heatwave, it is important to stay hydrated, stay in air-conditioned environments, avoid strenuous activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Are insurance premiums likely to increase in Roebourne due to climate change?
Yes, insurance premiums may increase in Roebourne due to the increasing risks of climate-related disasters.
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 Roebourne, 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