Flood Risk in Kensington, WA: 2026 Assessment

Kensington, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
Kensington 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.Updated 24 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

Kensington 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.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Kensington 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.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Kensington, WA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
6151
Highest high-risk exposure
13.8% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Kensington, located in Western Australia, 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 Western Australia.

Historical flood events have occurred in low-lying areas of Kensington, particularly around the Lachlan Swamps.

Kensington 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.

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.

Kensington sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 4.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 79% 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 Kensington.

Kensington (postcode 6151) 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 (13.8% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (9.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (4.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Kensington — 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 WaterwayLachlan Swamps
Elevation Range20-40m
Flood Zone ClassificationPotentially affected areas near Lachlan Swamps

Historical Events

2011
Moderate

Significant rainfall event led to flash flooding in parts of Kensington.

1990
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas of Kensington.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve building energy efficiency

Near-term

Retrofit homes and businesses with insulation, efficient windows, and solar panels to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Est. cost: Medium

Enhance stormwater drainage

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater drainage systems to better manage increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Increase urban green space

Near-term

Plant more trees and create green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade and cooling.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop community emergency plans

Immediate

Create community-based emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods.

Est. cost: Low

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation through education and incentives to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Randwick City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 24 May 2026

Explore Kensington Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kensington at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Kensington 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 Kensington?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Kensington 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 Kensington?

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

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Kensington 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 Kensington is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 13.8% of Kensington in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 71.2% 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 Kensington Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Kensington, Western Australia, 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