Climate Risk Profile: Shire of Exmouth, Western Australia

Shire of Exmouth, Western Australia
Updated Mar 2026

The Shire of Exmouth faces significant climate-related risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. These risks are projected to increase in the future due to climate change. Adaptation measures are crucial to protect the community and environment.

Is Shire of Exmouth Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Shire of Exmouth, Western Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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

Not ready to check your address? See a free sample report →

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 Shire of Exmouth

Flood

The Shire of Exmouth faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The Shire of Exmouth has a high risk of bushfires due to the dry climate and surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Prolonged drought
  • ·High temperatures

Heat

The Shire of Exmouth experiences high temperatures, particularly during the summer months, leading to heat stress and potential health impacts.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising global temperatures
  • ·Urban heat island effect

Coastal

The Shire of Exmouth is vulnerable to coastal hazards such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, and storm surges, impacting coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

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 Shire of Exmouth

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

The Shire of Exmouth experiences high temperatures, particularly during the summer months, leading to heat stress and potential health impacts.

Primary Drivers

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

flood Risk

The Shire of Exmouth faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

Primary Drivers

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

coastal Risk

The Shire of Exmouth is vulnerable to coastal hazards such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, and storm surges, impacting coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm intensity
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

The Shire of Exmouth has a high risk of bushfires due to the dry climate and surrounding vegetation. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Prolonged drought
  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Strong winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase due to climate risks.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price depreciation.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone areas.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to coastal hazards.
  • 3.Consider the cost of insurance and potential climate impacts on property value.
  • 4.Inquire about local adaptation plans and initiatives.

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 manage increased rainfall and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Implement bushfire management strategies

Immediate

Reduce fuel loads and create firebreaks to protect communities from bushfires.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Develop a heatwave response plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide public awareness campaigns to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Protect coastal areas from erosion

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures such as seawalls and beach nourishment to reduce erosion and protect infrastructure.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage water-wise practices to reduce water demand and ensure water security.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Shire of Exmouth's Climate Risk Profile

The Shire of Exmouth is located in a region highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and sea level rise pose significant challenges to the local community and environment.

Flooding is a major concern, with low-lying areas at risk from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. The increasing intensity of rainfall and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate flooding in the future. Bushfires are also a significant threat, particularly during the dry season. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds create ideal conditions for bushfires to spread rapidly.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing risks to human health and infrastructure. The elderly, children, and those with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Coastal erosion and sea level rise threaten coastal infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. The Shire of Exmouth needs to implement adaptation measures to mitigate these risks and protect its residents and environment.

Addressing these climate risks requires a coordinated effort involving local government, community organizations, and individuals. Implementing adaptation strategies, such as improving drainage infrastructure, managing vegetation, and raising awareness about climate risks, is essential to building resilience and ensuring a sustainable future for the Shire of Exmouth.

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 facing the Shire of Exmouth?

The Shire of Exmouth faces significant climate change risks, including increased flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These risks are projected to worsen in the future due to rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and sea level rise.

How is the Shire of Exmouth preparing for climate change?

The Shire of Exmouth is developing and implementing adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. These strategies include improving drainage infrastructure, managing vegetation to reduce bushfire risk, developing a heatwave response plan, and protecting coastal areas from erosion.

What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?

Residents can take several steps to prepare for climate change impacts, such as checking flood maps and bushfire prone areas, assessing their property's vulnerability to coastal hazards, considering the cost of insurance, and inquiring about local adaptation plans.

Where can I find more information about climate change in the Shire of Exmouth?

You can find more information about climate change in the Shire of Exmouth on the Shire's website, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website, the Bureau of Meteorology website, and the CSIRO website.

What is the council doing to reduce carbon emissions?

The council is exploring opportunities to reduce carbon emissions through energy efficiency measures, renewable energy projects, and sustainable transportation initiatives. More information can be found on the council's 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 Shire of Exmouth, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Shire of Exmouth's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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