Heat Risk in Highett, VIC: 2026 Assessment
Heat Risk Score
7.0/10Highett is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the risk, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Key Facts
- Heat Risk
- Highett is susceptible to heatwaves, with increasing average temperatures and more frequent extreme heat days. Urban heat island effect exacerbates the risk, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Highett, VIC
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 3190
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 17.1% of land (bushfire)
Heat Risk Analysis
Highett in Victoria faces elevated extreme heat risk. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports that Australia's average temperature has increased by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with the frequency of extreme heat days rising across most regions.
The urban heat island (UHI) effect can make built-up areas of Highett warmer than surrounding rural areas, particularly on summer nights. Dark roof materials, limited tree canopy cover, and heat-absorbing surfaces contribute to localised heat stress that varies by property.
The urban environment contributes to higher temperatures during heatwaves.
Get an address-level heat risk assessment from ClimateNest for Highett including cooling cost estimates, heatwave vulnerability scoring, and adaptation recommendations tailored to your property.
Highett (postcode 3190) 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 (7.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Highett — 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
The 2009 heatwave resulted in record-breaking temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve stormwater drainage
Near-termUpgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.
Est. cost: Medium
Increase green spaces
Near-termPlant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop a heatwave response plan
ImmediateImplement a heatwave early warning system and provide support for vulnerable populations during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Low
Coastal protection measures
Long-termImplement coastal protection measures such as seawalls and beach nourishment to protect against sea level rise and erosion.
Est. cost: High
Community education programs
Near-termEducate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Highett Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Highett:
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does Highett get in summer?
Highett in Victoria experiences summer temperatures consistent with the regional climate. BOM publishes historical temperature data for weather stations near Highett. Get a property-specific heat exposure assessment with projected cooling costs from ClimateNest.
Is extreme heat increasing in Highett?
Australia-wide, extreme heat events have become more frequent since the mid-20th century, and this trend is consistent with CSIRO climate projections for Victoria. Continued warming is likely through 2050 under all emissions scenarios.
How does heat affect energy costs for Highett properties?
Higher temperatures increase cooling demand, which raises electricity costs. ClimateNest provides energy cost projections based on your property's specific exposure to extreme heat days in Highett and the performance of your building envelope.
What heat mitigation measures work best in Highett?
Effective heat mitigation includes light-coloured roofing (cool roofs), ceiling and wall insulation, double-glazed windows, external shading, cross-ventilation design, and increasing tree canopy around the property. These measures reduce indoor temperatures and cooling costs.
What share of Highett is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.1% of Highett in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 70.1% 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 Highett Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Highett, Victoria, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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