Flood of fortune

BERWICK received more spring rain than any other south-eastern suburb over the last three months, according to Melbourne Water.
Berwick topped the list with 352 millimetres of spring rain, while Narre Warren North was a close second with 320mm.
The figures should come as no surprise to those caught out in last fortnight’s downpour, which flooded streets and caused ceilings to collapse.
Fountain Gate Shopping Centre was evacuated after rain fell on movie-goers, some who were watching apocalypse movie 2012.
The cinemas were closed for a week as staff mopped up damage to carpet, chairs and plastering.
The nearby City of Casey council offices were also evacuated, with a Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce and Monash University business breakfast planned for Friday morning cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Berwick car dealership Barry Bourke also experienced some ceiling damage, with the mess cleaned up early Friday morning.
Melbourne Water’s water supply manager, John Woodland, said spring marked a return to the wet weather traditionally seen across Melbourne at this time of year – but the November hot spell highlighted the uncertain climate.
“Last year’s rainfall was much higher than spring, but we’ve seen the reverse this year,” Mr Woodland said.
“However, three months of rain does not make up for 13 years of drought, and water storages are now entering summer at the second-lowest levels on record.”
Despite the high rainfall, Cardinia Reservoir is currently at 40.9 per cent capacity.
Mr Woodland also praised Melburnians for reducing their water consumption by 33 million litres per day compared to last spring’s figures.
“Without Melbourne households, business and industry continuing to use less water, our storages would be lower as we head in to summer,” he said.
Rounding out the top 20 suburbs was Cranbourne, with 247mm, Lang Lang, with 256mm, and Officer, with 259mm.