Is South Hurstville, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.2/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- South Hurstville faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Georges River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.
- Bushfire
- The risk of bushfire in South Hurstville is relatively low due to the suburb's urban nature and distance from large bushland areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can still pose a threat.
- Heat
- South Hurstville is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future. This will increase the risk of heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2221
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 17.2% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville'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 South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
South Hurstville (postcode 2221) 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 (17.2% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (12.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.9% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across South Hurstville — 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 South Hurstville.
A prolonged heatwave resulted in increased hospital admissions for heat-related illnesses.
A severe storm caused flash flooding and power outages in South Hurstville.
Minor flooding occurred along the Georges River after heavy rainfall.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in flood barriers, drainage improvements, and elevated building foundations to reduce flood damage.
Est. cost: Medium
Enhance Heatwave Preparedness
ImmediateEstablish cooling centers, promote energy efficiency, and implement heatwave early warning systems to protect vulnerable populations.
Est. cost: Low
Strengthen Coastal Protection
Long-termImplement coastal erosion control measures, protect and restore coastal ecosystems, and plan for managed retreat in vulnerable areas.
Est. cost: High
Promote Water Conservation
Near-termEncourage water-efficient landscaping, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling to reduce water demand during droughts.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore South Hurstville Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for South Hurstville:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Hurstville safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville?
The dominant hazard for South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville?
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 South Hurstville?
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 South Hurstville.
What share of South Hurstville is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.2% of South Hurstville in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 64.2% 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 South Hurstville Safe from Climate Risk?
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