Is Rosslea, QLD Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Rosslea, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 9 Mar 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Rosslea faces a notable risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Ross River and other waterways. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Bushfire
Rosslea has a relatively low bushfire risk due to its urbanized environment and distance from large bushland areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can still pose a threat.
Heat
Rosslea experiences high temperatures during summer, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Storm
Notable storm risk — tropical cyclones and severe thunderstorms in summer months
Postcode
4812
Highest high-risk exposure
11.3% of land (riverine flood)

Climate Safety Analysis

Rosslea in Queensland 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 Rosslea'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 Rosslea 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 Rosslea including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Rosslea (postcode 4812) 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 riverine flood (11.3% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (9.5% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (8.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Rosslea — 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

Distance to Bushland1-2 km
BAL OverlayQFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Nearest WaterwayRoss River
Flood ZoneMedium to High Risk
Avg January Max31.5 °C

Historical Events

2019
Major

The Townsville floods of 2019 caused widespread inundation in Rosslea, damaging homes and businesses.

2018
Moderate

Townsville experienced a prolonged heatwave in early 2018, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days.

2015
Moderate

A severe storm caused flash flooding and property damage in parts of Rosslea.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risk, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing of buildings.

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers, public awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen Coastal Protection

Long-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from sea level rise and storm surges, such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and mangrove restoration.

Est. cost: Very High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement measures to reduce bushfire risk, such as vegetation management, fire breaks, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Townsville City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 9 March 2026

Explore Rosslea Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rosslea safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Rosslea 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 Rosslea?

The dominant hazard for Rosslea 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 Rosslea 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 Queensland suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Rosslea?

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 Rosslea?

Key projections for Queensland 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 Rosslea.

What share of Rosslea is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.3% of Rosslea in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 76.7% 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 Rosslea Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Rosslea, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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