Consistently, there is a rise in mean temperature across all regions of Australia coupled with an increase in extreme heat events (days over 35 ^o C).

Across Australia there is a variable change in total precipitation, notably there is a decrease in precipitation (drying trend) across southern and eastern Australia, and an increase (in rainfall) across central and northern parts of Australia. Although these southern and eastern regions will experience an annual decrease in total rainfall, there will be an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall events (over 50mm event).

Coastal areas will be vulnerable to flooding from sea level rise in different ways, in large part due to the topography, or elevation, of the landscape.

A large portion of Australia’s coastline is low-lying with strong influences from tidal changes and storms. The majority of Australian beaches have been stable because the sediment supply has been sufficient, however with the predicted sea level rise this will change. With the predicted rising sea levels there will be an accelerated rate of erosion along the coast, which would lead to the receding of beaches and erosion of the land.

OzCoasts data predicts that uncontrolled climate change could result in a global sea level rise of 1 metre or more between 2050 and 2100 and more intense storms threatening coastal housing and infrastructure.

The eastern seaboard shores are typically low-lying beaches and coastal regions that have low tidal ranges. This region is also highly developed and populated and is susceptible to periodic high-energy cyclonic activity and high tides.

A summary of the projected changes in climate across Australia is outlined in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Projected changes in climate across Australia