Flood Risk in Rosslea, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Rosslea, Queensland· UNKNOWN
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.Updated 9 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

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.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
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.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Rosslea, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4812
Highest high-risk exposure
11.3% of land (riverine flood)

Flood Risk Analysis

Rosslea, located in Queensland, 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 Queensland.

Historical flood data indicates that parts of Rosslea have been inundated in past flood events. The council has implemented some mitigation measures, but further upgrades may be necessary.

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.

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.

Rosslea sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 11.3% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 76.7% 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 Rosslea.

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

Nearest WaterwayRoss River
Elevation Range5-15 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationMedium to High Risk

Historical Events

2019
Major

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

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 at risk of flooding?

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

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Rosslea?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Rosslea 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 Rosslea?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Rosslea. 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 Rosslea?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Rosslea 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 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.

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