Flood Risk in Cawongla, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Cawongla, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Cawongla faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 21 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Cawongla faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Cawongla faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Cawongla, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2474
Region
Coastal NSW
Median property value
$925,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (5/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
9% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Cawongla, located in New South Wales, has a notable flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across New South Wales.

The Richmond River can cause flooding in low-lying areas during heavy rainfall events.

Cawongla faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

Cawongla sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 8.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 86.3% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Cawongla.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Cawongla scores 4 for flood risk — a moderate exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Cawongla can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Cawongla located in Coastal NSW (postcode 2474), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $925,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Cawongla.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Cawongla is extreme heat (score 5/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+30% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Cawongla, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Cawongla are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayRichmond River
Elevation Range100-150m
Flood Zone ClassificationPotentially affected

Historical Events

2022
Major

Record-breaking rainfall caused widespread flooding in the region, leading to evacuations and significant damage.

2017
Moderate

Significant flooding occurred in the Richmond River catchment, impacting low-lying areas.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in flood mitigation infrastructure, such as levees and improved drainage systems, to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns and vegetation clearing, to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a community heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Community Education

Long-term

Provide education and resources to residents on how to prepare for and respond to climate-related risks.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 21 May 2026

Explore Cawongla Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cawongla at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Cawongla has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Cawongla?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Cawongla depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in Cawongla?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Cawongla. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in Cawongla?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Cawongla typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

What are the main climate risks in Cawongla?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Cawongla's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 5/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by damaging wind (5/10) and severe storm (5/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Cawongla.

What share of Cawongla is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 9% of Cawongla in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 64.1% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Cawongla Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cawongla, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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What A$69 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$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections