The Bureau of Meteorology says last year was the hottest ever in Australia. I believe them.

The heat we can cope with (almost). This is Australia. We came for the blue skies and the heat. What’s harder to cope with is the lack of rainfall. Water is life and without it we’re finished.

Queensland had 25 percent less rain than usual last year. The dams that store water for Brisbane are two thirds empty, hence the water restrictions I’ve been writing about in the last few days. More rain would be really welcome.

Most other states also got less rain than usual, but not as bad as Queensland.

Long term, I’m sure Queensland will be okay. It’s subtropical and usually gets plenty of summer rain. Unless there’s a truly tremendous shift in climate, that shouldn’t change.