Is Illawong, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.8/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Illawong faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Georges River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
- Bushfire
- Bushfire risk in Illawong is moderate, with some areas bordering bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
- Heat
- Illawong is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, especially during summer.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2234
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 20.2% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
Illawong in New South Wales has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Key factors affecting Illawong's climate safety include heat, flood. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.
Climate safety for property in Illawong is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.
For a complete property-specific climate safety report for Illawong including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Illawong (postcode 2234) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (20.2% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (10.9% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Illawong — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.
Local Hazard Evidence
Historical Events
Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas along the Georges River.
Bushfires in the region caused smoke haze and elevated fire danger in Illawong.
Prolonged heatwave conditions led to increased demand for electricity and health concerns.
Severe storm caused flash flooding and power outages in parts of Illawong.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers.
Est. cost: High
Bushfire Preparedness
ImmediateImplement bushfire management strategies, including vegetation clearing and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Heatwave Action Plan
Near-termDevelop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Sustainable Urban Planning
Long-termPromote sustainable urban planning practices to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve water management.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Illawong Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Illawong:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illawong safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Illawong has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.
Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in Illawong?
The dominant hazard for Illawong depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.
How does Illawong compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?
Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across New South Wales suburbs.
Should I be concerned about buying property in Illawong?
Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.
What climate projections should I know for Illawong?
Key projections for New South Wales from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for Illawong.
What share of Illawong is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 20.2% of Illawong in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 67.3% 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 Illawong Safe from Climate Risk?
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Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections