Climate Risk in Morley, WA

Morley, Western Australia· City of Bayswater· 6062
Medium Risk
Updated Mar 2026

Morley is a suburb in Perth, Western Australia, that faces moderate risks from bushfires and heatwaves. Flooding is also a concern due to heavy rainfall events. Coastal risks are minimal due to its inland location.

Overall Risk Score

52/100
Medium

Confidence: Medium

Hazard Breakdown

Flood
4.0
Bushfire
6.0
Heat
5.0
Coastal
1.0

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Morley

stable

Flood

40/100

Morley faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and localized stormwater runoff. The area's relatively flat topography contributes to potential water accumulation.

Key drivers:

  • ·Heavy rainfall
  • ·Urban development
increasing

Bushfire

60/100

Morley has a moderate to high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Dry summers and strong winds can exacerbate fire conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Dry summers
  • ·Strong winds
increasing

Heat

50/100

Morley experiences moderately high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwave events. Urban areas can experience the urban heat island effect.

Key drivers:

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urban heat island effect
stable

Coastal

10/100

Morley is located inland and has a very low risk of coastal hazards such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Key drivers:

  • ·Distance from coast
stable

Wind

32/100

Moderate wind risk — winter storms

stable

Storm

28/100

Moderate storm risk — occasional severe thunderstorms

stable

Social

21/100

Moderate social stability

increasing

Energy

39/100

Moderate energy costs — cooling demand in summer

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Morley

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

50/100

Morley experiences moderately high temperatures during summer, with potential for heatwave events. Urban areas can experience the urban heat island effect.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Climate change
  • ·Urban heat island effect
  • ·Reduced vegetation cover

Projections (RCP8.5)

2030

5.5

2050

6.0

Data source

flood Risk

40/100

Morley faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and localized stormwater runoff. The area's relatively flat topography contributes to potential water accumulation.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Heavy rainfall
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Stormwater drainage capacity

Projections (RCP4.5)

2030

4.2

2050

4.5

Data source

coastal Risk

10/100

Morley is located inland and has a very low risk of coastal hazards such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Distance from coast

Projections (RCP4.5)

2030

1.0

2050

1.0

Data source

bushfire Risk

60/100

Morley has a moderate to high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland areas. Dry summers and strong winds can exacerbate fire conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Dry summers
  • ·Strong winds
  • ·Proximity to bushland

Projections (RCP8.5)

2030

6.3

2050

6.7

Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Home insurance premiums may increase due to bushfire and flood risks.

Price Impact

Properties in bushfire-prone areas may experience some price impact.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check bushfire risk assessment
  • 2.Assess flood risk
  • 3.Evaluate energy efficiency
  • 4.Consider cooling options

Local Climate Evidence

Flood Evidence

Nearest Waterway
Swan River
Elevation Range
15-30 meters
Flood Zone
Areas near drainage lines

The City of Bayswater maintains drainage infrastructure to mitigate flood risks.

View council flood map

Bushfire Evidence

Distance to Bushland
Adjacent to bushland reserves
Planning Overlay
DFES Bushfire Prone Areas Map
Bushfire Prone Area
Yes

Residents should maintain firebreaks and be prepared for bushfire season.

Heat Evidence

Avg January Max Temp
32.5°C
Heat Stress Days/Year
3 days

Elderly residents and those with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

Coastal Evidence

Distance to Coast
12 km
Sea Level Rise Exposure
Not applicable
Erosion Risk
Not applicable

Historical Climate Events

2010
floodModerate

Heavy rainfall caused localized flooding in Morley, affecting some residential areas.

Source
2011
bushfireMinor

A bushfire near Morley threatened residential properties, but was quickly contained.

Source
2017
heatwaveModerate

A prolonged heatwave in Perth caused heat stress and health concerns in Morley.

Source
2021
floodMinor

Heavy downpours led to flash flooding in parts of Morley, impacting local businesses.

Source

Climate Outlook to 2050

Projections based on CSIRO and BOM climate modelling. Scenario: RCP4.5

HazardToday20302050
flood404.2(+0.2)4.4(+0.4)
bushfire606.3(+0.3)6.6(+0.6)
heat505.4(+0.4)5.9(+0.9)
coastal101.01.0

By 2030, Morley is projected to experience a slight increase in overall climate risk, primarily driven by increased heatwave frequency and intensity. Bushfire risk is also expected to rise due to drier conditions.

CSIRO Climate Projections

Adaptation Recommendations

Improve stormwater drainage

Near-term

Upgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risk from heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Bushfire preparedness

Immediate

Implement community education programs and support residents in preparing their properties for bushfire season.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Urban greening

Near-term

Increase tree canopy cover and green spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce heat stress.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Community resilience planning

Long-term

Develop a community resilience plan to address climate change impacts and support vulnerable populations.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

About Morley's Climate Risk Profile

Morley, located in the City of Bayswater, is a well-established suburb of Perth. The primary climate-related risks for Morley include bushfires, heatwaves, and flooding. The suburb's proximity to bushland increases its vulnerability to bushfires, particularly during the dry summer months.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing a risk to vulnerable populations. The urban environment in Morley can exacerbate the effects of heatwaves due to the urban heat island effect.

Flooding is a concern due to heavy rainfall events and the suburb's relatively flat topography. Localized stormwater runoff can lead to water accumulation in low-lying areas.

While coastal hazards are not a significant concern for Morley due to its inland location, the suburb is still indirectly affected by broader climate change impacts on the region. These include potential disruptions to supply chains and increased strain on resources.

Data sources: BOM · CSIRO · DFES

Local Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks for Morley?

The main climate change risks for Morley include increased heatwaves, bushfire risk, and flooding due to heavy rainfall events.

How can I prepare my property for bushfire season in Morley?

You can prepare your property by maintaining firebreaks, clearing flammable materials, and having a bushfire survival plan.

What is the City of Bayswater doing to address climate change?

The City of Bayswater is implementing various initiatives, including urban greening, stormwater management, and community education programs.

Where can I find information about flood risks in Morley?

You can find information about flood risks on the City of Bayswater website and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website.

How will climate change affect property values in Morley?

Climate change may have some impact on property values, particularly in areas with higher bushfire or flood risk. Energy-efficient homes may become more desirable.

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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