Is Tongarra, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.2/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Tongarra 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.
- Bushfire
- The risk of bushfire in Tongarra is moderate, given the presence of surrounding bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are projected to increase bushfire frequency and intensity.
- Heat
- Tongarra is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
- Postcode
- 2527
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 12.9% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
Tongarra 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 Tongarra'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 Tongarra 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 Tongarra including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Tongarra (postcode 2527) 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 (12.9% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (7.8% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (6.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Tongarra — 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
Prolonged heatwave conditions impacted vulnerable residents.
Severe storms caused flash flooding and property damage.
Bushfires in the region threatened properties and caused evacuations.
Major flooding in the Illawarra region caused widespread damage and disruption.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Upgrade flood defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to protect properties from flooding.
Est. cost: High
Improve bushfire management
Near-termImplement strategies to reduce bushfire risk.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop heatwave response plan
ImmediateCreate a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Protect coastal areas
Long-termImplement measures to protect coastal properties from erosion and inundation.
Est. cost: High
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Tongarra Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Tongarra:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tongarra safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Tongarra 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 Tongarra?
The dominant hazard for Tongarra 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 Tongarra 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 Tongarra?
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 Tongarra?
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 Tongarra.
What share of Tongarra is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.9% of Tongarra in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 63.3% 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 Tongarra Safe from Climate Risk?
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Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections