1 March 2007

Storm wash up -- Canberra Centre

| Kerces
Join the conversation
15

I wandered around the Canberra Centre not long after it reopened at 11 o’clock this morning. I was told there are about two dozen shops still closed, and it looked like most of those were on the top floor. The wost damage seems to have been done to Borders and Dendy (neither of which would let me take photos) and to Country Road at the other end of the centre.

Country Road in Canberra Centre

A big chunk of Country Road’s ceiling had fallen in, as seen above and there were lights and plaster all over the floor. Borders looked (from peering in the front window) like it had lost maybe a third of its ceiling tiles, in the front section at least. They had covered the bookshelves in black plastic and there were men wheeling trolleyfuls of soggy plaster ceiling tiles away.

Country Road in Canberra Centre

Up near Borders about half the new eating area was closed off and there was a largish puddle on the ground.

Canberra Centre new eating area

Overboard had quite a lot of water left in its store. Perhaps they should have opened and given people the chance to trial their surfboards. I didn’t notice any other stores with this much water, but did see a shoe shop with piles of soggy shoeboxes up on the tables.

Overboard in Canberra Centre

Next

It seemed like the older section of the centre was the worst affected, apart from damage up the Borders end of the expansion. A lot of the shops that were shut looked like it might have been from power still being out as much as from water damage. Section of the pretty, moulded ceiling in the corridors had fallen down as well.

Canberra Centre

There were large wet patches on the floor near where they’re still doing building. I noticed several people sniffing as they passed this area.

Canberra Centre

Probably the most inconvenient thing (apart from all the closed shops) was that the main escalator block in the new section was closed, meaning everyone had to use lifts to get to and from the carparks. It also meant walking a lot further to move between levels, which didn’t worry me but during weekdays you do find a lot of mothers with kids and elderly people in shopping centres.

Canberra Centre

Join the conversation

15
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

…and I see there’s someone at a table giving you the eye, InfoAddict.

WOW! I’m actually IN that 3rd shot – buying food with my partner at the sushi place… I’m famous! I’m on RiotACT! 😉

Nice legs though 🙂

Naw Mael, just jumping on the leg blogging bandwagon…

Woody Mann-Caruso9:22 am 02 Mar 07

Didn’t the ESA folk specifically comment on the construction of the Canberra Centre on the news the other night? Something about it not mattering how well you built it – once the drains and gutters blocked up with hail, and once hail broke skylights and the like, flooding was an inevitability? Gotta love you wannabe armchair architects.

ahh the reflection – not the surf shop looking place… well spotted.

Kerces breaking out into reflectoporn ? http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/kettle.asp

Yep, that way they don’t catch you gawking cause you’re not looking right at them.

I hope I didn’t say that out loud just now.

Have you been reflecting on events again, Random?

Just being nice. I could really get myself into trouble elaborating on the subject. 😛

You hain’t seen them RG

lol attack of the 15-foot hottie

Woah that last picure on that last page looks liek a giant woman sliding on her knees down the elevator.

(Queue up Duece Bigalow) – Thats a huge bitch!

Al, you have no idea.

barking toad1:31 pm 01 Mar 07

When you build on the cheap these things happen.

Especially when you opt for incorrect guttering and downpipes because of cost.

Nice legs Kerces! 🙂

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.