Climate Risk in Swan, Western Australia

Swan, Western Australia
Updated Mar 2026

Swan, WA, faces increasing climate risks, particularly from bushfires and flooding. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expected to exacerbate these hazards. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Swan Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Swan, 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

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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 Swan

Flood

The Swan area faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the Swan River and local rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall, exacerbating flood risks.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding

Bushfire

Swan has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry summers and increasing temperatures contribute to heightened fire danger. Changes in land management practices and urban planning are crucial.

Key drivers:

  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Dry vegetation

Heat

Swan experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, are particularly at risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Swan faces a moderate coastal risk due to its proximity to the Swan River estuary. Sea level rise and increased storm surges could lead to erosion and inundation of low-lying areas.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

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Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Swan

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Swan experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, are particularly at risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

The Swan area faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the Swan River and local rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall, exacerbating flood risks.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Riverine flooding
  • ·Urban development
Data source

coastal Risk

Swan faces a moderate coastal risk due to its proximity to the Swan River estuary. Sea level rise and increased storm surges could lead to erosion and inundation of low-lying areas.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
  • ·Erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

Swan has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Hot, dry summers and increasing temperatures contribute to heightened fire danger. Changes in land management practices and urban planning are crucial.

Primary Drivers

  • ·High temperatures
  • ·Dry vegetation
  • ·Wind patterns
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums are likely to increase in high-risk areas.

Price Impact

Properties in flood and bushfire prone areas may experience price reductions.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood and bushfire risk maps.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • 3.Review insurance options and costs.
  • 4.Consider energy efficiency and water conservation measures.

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-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risks, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop Heat Action Plans

Near-term

Create heat action plans to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Protect Coastal Areas

Long-term

Implement coastal management strategies to protect against sea level rise and erosion, such as beach nourishment and seawalls.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Encourage water conservation measures to reduce water stress during periods of drought.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Swan's Climate Risk Profile

Swan, located in Western Australia, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The region is projected to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, increased bushfire risk, and changes in rainfall patterns that could lead to more severe flooding.

The Swan River poses a significant flood risk, and climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. The proximity to bushland also makes the area susceptible to bushfires, with hotter, drier conditions increasing the risk of ignition and spread.

Rising temperatures will also impact the health and well-being of residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. The urban heat island effect could further exacerbate the impacts of heatwaves in densely populated areas.

Coastal areas along the Swan River estuary are also at risk from sea level rise and increased storm surges, which could lead to erosion and inundation of low-lying areas. Adapting to these changes will require a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving urban planning, and implementing measures to protect vulnerable communities.

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 risks facing Swan?

Swan faces increasing risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal erosion due to climate change.

How is the City of Swan addressing climate change?

The City of Swan is developing and implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change on the community.

What can residents do to prepare for extreme weather events?

Residents can prepare by developing emergency plans, maintaining their properties, and staying informed about weather forecasts and warnings.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Swan?

Information about flood risks can be found on the City of Swan website and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website.

How will climate change affect property values in Swan?

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price reductions due to increased insurance costs and potential damage from extreme weather events.

What is the urban heat island effect and how does it affect Swan?

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This can exacerbate the impacts of heatwaves in Swan, particularly in densely populated areas.

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 Swan, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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