Is Scarborough, WA Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment
Climate Safety Score
5.8/10Moderate climate risk — address-specific
Key Facts
- Climate Safety
- Medium
- Flood
- Scarborough faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to coastal areas and low-lying regions. Intense rainfall events can lead to stormwater runoff exceeding drainage capacity.
- Bushfire
- Bushfire risk in Scarborough is relatively low due to its urban development and coastal location, which limits extensive vegetation. However, nearby reserves pose a potential threat.
- Heat
- Scarborough experiences a high heat risk, particularly during summer months. Urban areas retain heat, leading to elevated temperatures and potential heat stress for vulnerable populations.
- Storm
- Moderate storm risk — winter storms and occasional severe thunderstorms
- Postcode
- 6019
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 14.1% of land (bushfire)
Climate Safety Analysis
Scarborough in Western 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 Scarborough's climate safety include heat, flood, coastal. 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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.
Scarborough (postcode 6019) 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 (14.1% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.6% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Scarborough — 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
High tides and storm surge caused minor coastal inundation along the Scarborough foreshore.
Prolonged heatwave resulted in increased hospital admissions for heat-related illnesses.
Heavy rainfall led to localized flooding in low-lying areas of Scarborough.
Severe storm caused coastal erosion and damage to beachfront properties.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Upgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure
Near-termImprove drainage capacity to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of localized flooding.
Est. cost: High
Implement coastal protection measures
Near-termConstruct seawalls, groynes, and other coastal defenses to protect against erosion and storm surge.
Est. cost: Very High
Develop a heatwave management plan
ImmediateEstablish cooling centers, provide public education on heat safety, and implement measures to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.
Est. cost: Medium
Enhance bushfire preparedness
Long-termConduct controlled burns, clear vegetation around properties, and educate residents on bushfire safety.
Est. cost: Medium
Promote water conservation
Long-termEncourage water-wise gardening, install rainwater tanks, and implement water restrictions during dry periods.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Scarborough Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Scarborough:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scarborough safe from climate change?
No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Scarborough 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 Scarborough?
The dominant hazard for Scarborough 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 Scarborough 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 Western Australia suburbs.
Should I be concerned about buying property in Scarborough?
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 Scarborough?
Key projections for Western 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 Scarborough.
What share of Scarborough is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14.1% of Scarborough in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 61.3% 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 Scarborough Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Scarborough, Western Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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