Is Clarendon, SA Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.2/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Clarendon faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the nearby Onkaparinga River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties close to waterways.
- Bushfire
- Clarendon has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to the Adelaide Hills and surrounding bushland. Dry vegetation and strong winds create conditions conducive to bushfires, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.
- Heat
- Clarendon experiences moderate heat risk, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwave events. This can impact vulnerable populations, infrastructure, and agricultural activities.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — occasional severe thunderstorms
- Postcode
- 5157
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 17.1% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
Clarendon in South Australia 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 Clarendon's climate safety include bushfire. 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 Clarendon 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 Clarendon including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Clarendon (postcode 5157) 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 (17.1% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Clarendon — 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
A bushfire near Clarendon threatened properties and required emergency response.
Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Clarendon, impacting roads and properties near the Onkaparinga River.
A prolonged heatwave in South Australia resulted in heat stress and health impacts in Clarendon.
The Ash Wednesday bushfires had a devastating impact on the Adelaide Hills region, including areas near Clarendon.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Develop a community bushfire plan
ImmediateCreate a plan that outlines evacuation routes, communication strategies, and property protection measures.
Est. cost: Low
Improve flood management infrastructure
Near-termUpgrade drainage systems and construct flood barriers to protect properties near the Onkaparinga River.
Est. cost: Medium
Implement a heatwave response plan
ImmediateEstablish cooling centers and provide support to vulnerable residents during heatwave events.
Est. cost: Low
Promote water conservation
Long-termEncourage residents to reduce water consumption and implement water-efficient landscaping practices.
Est. cost: Low
Support local farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices
Near-termProvide resources and training to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce their environmental impact.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Clarendon Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Clarendon:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarendon safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Clarendon 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 Clarendon?
The dominant hazard for Clarendon 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 Clarendon 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 South Australia suburbs.
Should I be concerned about buying property in Clarendon?
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 Clarendon?
Key projections for South Australia 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 Clarendon.
What share of Clarendon is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.1% of Clarendon in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68.7% 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 Clarendon Safe from Climate Risk?
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