Is Monterey, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.8/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Monterey faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to Botany Bay and low-lying areas. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff and potential inundation.
- Bushfire
- Bushfire risk in Monterey is relatively low due to the suburb's urban environment and limited vegetation. However, ember attacks from distant fires remain a potential concern.
- Heat
- Monterey experiences a high risk of heatwaves, particularly during the summer months. Urban heat island effect can exacerbate temperatures, posing health risks to vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2217
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 13% of land (surface flood)
Climate Safety Analysis
Monterey 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 Monterey's climate safety include heat, flood, coastal. 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 Monterey 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 Monterey including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Monterey (postcode 2217) 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 surface flood (13% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (12.2% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (7.3% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Monterey — 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 localized flooding in low-lying areas of Monterey, affecting several residential properties.
A prolonged heatwave in January resulted in increased hospital admissions and strain on emergency services.
A severe storm caused minor damage to property and infrastructure in Monterey.
Significant flooding impacted Monterey, causing damage to homes and businesses near Botany Bay after a period of intense rainfall.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events.
Est. cost: Medium
Increase green space
Near-termPlant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Medium
Strengthen coastal defenses
Long-termImplement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to reduce the risk of coastal erosion and inundation.
Est. cost: High
Develop a heatwave response plan
ImmediateCreate a community heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.
Est. cost: Low
Raise awareness of climate risks
ImmediateEducate residents about the risks of climate change and how to prepare for extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Monterey Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Monterey:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monterey safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Monterey 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 Monterey?
The dominant hazard for Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey?
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 Monterey?
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 Monterey.
What share of Monterey is exposed to high surface flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 13% of Monterey in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 76.6% 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 Monterey Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Monterey, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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