๐Ÿ“ฎ Oak Flats postcode: 2529

Flood Risk in Oak Flats, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Oak Flats, New South Walesยท Shellharbourยท 2529
Oak Flats is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Illawarra and associated waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.Updated 25 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

Oak Flats is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Illawarra and associated waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Oak Flats is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Illawarra and associated waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Oak Flats, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2529
Highest high-risk exposure
16.7% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Oak Flats, 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.

Past flood events have impacted properties in low-lying areas of Oak Flats. Council is undertaking studies to improve flood modelling and mitigation strategies.

Oak Flats is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to Lake Illawarra and associated waterways. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.

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.

Oak Flats sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 77.5% 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 Oak Flats.

Oak Flats (postcode 2529) 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 (16.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (6.8% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (6.4% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Oak Flats โ€” 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

Nearest WaterwayLake Illawarra
Elevation Range0-10 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas near Lake Illawarra and creeks are prone to flooding.

Historical Events

2011
Moderate

Major flooding occurred in the Illawarra region, impacting Oak Flats with significant rainfall and inundation of low-lying areas.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Home Insulation

Near-term

Improve home insulation to reduce energy consumption and keep homes cooler during heatwaves.

Est. cost: $5,000 - $10,000

Install Rainwater Tanks

Near-term

Install rainwater tanks to reduce stormwater runoff and provide a source of water during droughts.

Est. cost: $3,000 - $5,000

Develop Emergency Plans

Immediate

Develop emergency plans for heatwaves, floods, and bushfires.

Est. cost: Low

Support Coastal Management Initiatives

Long-term

Support council's coastal management initiatives to protect vulnerable areas from erosion and sea level rise.

Est. cost: N/A

Council & Emergency Services

Shellharbour City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 25 May 2026

Explore Oak Flats Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oak Flats at risk of flooding?

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

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Oak Flats?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Oak Flats 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 Oak Flats?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Oak Flats. 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 Oak Flats?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Oak Flats 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 share of Oak Flats is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 16.7% of Oak Flats in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 76.4% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ€” individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Oak Flats Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections