The report, Climate Change Risks to Australia's Coast, said 3600 NSW residential buildings were within 110 metres of erodible shorelines.

It said 280 buildings close to "soft coast'' were in Rockdale and 650 were in the shire.

The report put the present value of NSW residential buildings at risk through inundation from sea level rises of 1.1 metres and storm tides associated with one-in-100-year storms at $12.4billion-$18.7 billion.

A Sutherland Shire Council spokesman urged caution saying the report was a broad national assessment of predicted climate change effects by the year 2100.

"The report itself acknowledges that nearer-term impacts have not been considered and that insufficient data or analysis is available at this time to fully inform local decision-making about potential climate-change risks or impacts,'' he said.

"In April this year, the council resolved to undertake a sea-level risk assessment to gain a detailed understanding of the potential risks to the Sutherland Shire from climate change and sea level rises.''

The project is being jointly funded by the council and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Consultants conducting the study will produce detailed maps showing estimated potential risks and impacts from sea-level rises and a register of public and private property (including council assets) that may be affected.

"This analysis will provide a firm basis from which the council can consult the community to seek its views on the best way to respond to climate change risks,'' the spokesman said.

The Climate Change Risk report said Rockdale, Botany Bay, Leichhardt, North Sydney and Randwick local government areas had the highest level of vulnerability in the state.

The report also said Sydney Airport was particularly vulnerable to the impact of sea level rises and had an increased risk of inundation.

A Rockdale Council spokesman said the council had taken a lead role by creating the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan to manage the impact of climate change in the area.

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