Thousands were left grappling with flash flooding and damage across the state. Among the hardest-hit areas were the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, including Murrumbeena and Malvern.

Chaos in Murrumbeena

Residents recall the chaos of that day vividly. In Murrumbeena, cars floated helplessly, homes were inundated and entire neighbourhoods found themselves battling against nature’s fury.

Families waded through waist-deep waters, saving what they could and seeking refuge where possible. Calls to emergency services skyrocketed, with over 3800 cries for help recorded across the state.

Streets such as Bute Street, Rosella Street and Railway Parade turned into waterways, trapping drivers in their vehicles as water swallowed the road.

“I saw a car completely stuck in the middle of the street, just surrounded by water. It must have been terrifying for the driver.”

This wasn’t the first time these areas had encountered flooding. Both the Glen Eira and Stonnington councils contain low-lying, densely urbanised suburbs like Murrumbeena, Malvern, Carnegie, Ormond, McKinnon and Caulfield, as well as areas along Gardiners Creek, which have long grappled with flood risks.

While the 2011 flood was particularly severe, similar flooding occurred in past years, notably in 1996 and 2004.

Collaboration the key to recovery

In the aftermath, collaboration became the cornerstones of recovery. Melbourne Water joined forces with Glen Eira City Council and Stonnington City Council to develop long-term flood mitigation strategies.

One of the most ambitious projects was the construction of a $40 million stormwater drain in Murrumbeena. Designed to increase drainage capacity, the 1.8-metre diameter pipe was installed underground from Railway Parade to Gardiners Creek. Its impact has been profound – reducing flood levels and protecting dozens of properties from future damage.

Glen Eira and Stonnington councils are still committed to programs that improve drainage, such as the new flood detention system at King George Reserve.