Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
Transport and optimism
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
Firefighters slammed for 'potentially deadly' incident at Metro Tunnel
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
www.abc.net.au
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.
One of 2 beautiful bronze ‘Windsong’ statues, by Anne Ross, was chopped and stolen from #Parkdale on Wednesday night 12th November. Mindless and pointless, as the scrap metal value is minimal. Hope the second one remains safe.
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
One of 2 beautiful bronze ‘Windsong’ statues, by Anne Ross, was chopped and stolen from #Parkdale on Wednesday night 12th November. Mindless and pointless, as the scrap metal value is minimal. Hope the second one remains safe.
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
So now the Liberal National Coalition alternative government of Australia has no plan to reduce CO2 emissions AND no plan for cheaper energy.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
So now the Liberal National Coalition alternative government of Australia has no plan to reduce CO2 emissions AND no plan for cheaper energy.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
And when you do a route search on the Transport Vic website, the route maps they provide are godawful. Dots on a page, with route lines missing. Significant points-of-interest (such as stations) unlabelled. Do better.
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
And when you do a route search on the Transport Vic website, the route maps they provide are godawful. Dots on a page, with route lines missing. Significant points-of-interest (such as stations) unlabelled. Do better.
Amazing that buss are being added and enhanced in areas of need. But surely the Department can afford to provide graphics/maps with these announcements. Text-only route descriptions might be how the operator defines them, but they're meaningless to people that actually use them. tinyurl.com/nbk58mh9
More buses, more often for the outer west
tinyurl.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Amazing that buss are being added and enhanced in areas of need. But surely the Department can afford to provide graphics/maps with these announcements. Text-only route descriptions might be how the operator defines them, but they're meaningless to people that actually use them. tinyurl.com/nbk58mh9
As a property (mortgaged) owner, I sit in one camp. But as a parent of young adults facing the impossibility of buying first homes, I sit in the other camp. How does Australia break this conundrum?
Hand on heart, how expensive do YOU want housing to be? The answer depends on who you are (homeowner, renter, investor, banker, politician, concerned citizen, foster child etc.) and how much you put your own concerns above the collective concerns: buff.ly/9fDUTpW
How expensive do you want housing to be?
The real question isn’t whether house prices in Australia will keep on rising – it’s whether we want them to.
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
As a property (mortgaged) owner, I sit in one camp. But as a parent of young adults facing the impossibility of buying first homes, I sit in the other camp. How does Australia break this conundrum?
Lots of news-talk today about some Sydney radio talk host that no-one outside of that city knows or cares about.
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Lots of news-talk today about some Sydney radio talk host that no-one outside of that city knows or cares about.
The end of an era, last ever feed at Montezumas #Parkdale last night before they pack up and relocate to Hampton.
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The end of an era, last ever feed at Montezumas #Parkdale last night before they pack up and relocate to Hampton.
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
VIC Premier Jacinta Allan visited China for 5 days in September, and copped a barrage of criticism in the media and personal attacks in the socials.
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
November 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
VIC Premier Jacinta Allan visited China for 5 days in September, and copped a barrage of criticism in the media and personal attacks in the socials.
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
🔥 🔥 Mentone TSG on fire 🔥 🔥
Just an accident, I’m sure.
Just an accident, I’m sure.
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
🔥 🔥 Mentone TSG on fire 🔥 🔥
Just an accident, I’m sure.
Just an accident, I’m sure.
When reality doesn’t match the render.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
When reality doesn’t match the render.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Parkdale’s first ever tower crane 🏗️. Lowe Living’s Elanora Place development.
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Parkdale’s first ever tower crane 🏗️. Lowe Living’s Elanora Place development.
Is the purple v/line sticker on the Platform 4 signs at Richmond Station new?
It appears to have been placed over the usual green Frankston-Werribee line sticker.
What v/line services use Platform 4?
It appears to have been placed over the usual green Frankston-Werribee line sticker.
What v/line services use Platform 4?
October 27, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Is the purple v/line sticker on the Platform 4 signs at Richmond Station new?
It appears to have been placed over the usual green Frankston-Werribee line sticker.
What v/line services use Platform 4?
It appears to have been placed over the usual green Frankston-Werribee line sticker.
What v/line services use Platform 4?
Days like this, it pays to know your bus alternatives. (Frankston line suspended between Moorabbin and Carrum due to debris caught in overhead wires.) #PTV
October 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Days like this, it pays to know your bus alternatives. (Frankston line suspended between Moorabbin and Carrum due to debris caught in overhead wires.) #PTV
October 23, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Why all the weather alerts ‼️for VIC today? This cyclonic-looking weather system is moving in a south-west direction across the state, bringing strong Northerly wind initially, shifting to Westerly as it passes over. 80-100km gusts. Expect flying trampolines🌀, trees down , powerlines down⚡️.
October 21, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Why all the weather alerts ‼️for VIC today? This cyclonic-looking weather system is moving in a south-west direction across the state, bringing strong Northerly wind initially, shifting to Westerly as it passes over. 80-100km gusts. Expect flying trampolines🌀, trees down , powerlines down⚡️.
October 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Victoria has a public asset maintenance problem. Everywhere you go there’s roadside rubbish, overgrown medians, vandalised signs, graffitied walls, potholes, unrepaired armco barriers and wire-rope barriers.
If you subscribe to the ‘broken window’ philosophy, it’s no wonder there’s a crime problem.
If you subscribe to the ‘broken window’ philosophy, it’s no wonder there’s a crime problem.
October 18, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Victoria has a public asset maintenance problem. Everywhere you go there’s roadside rubbish, overgrown medians, vandalised signs, graffitied walls, potholes, unrepaired armco barriers and wire-rope barriers.
If you subscribe to the ‘broken window’ philosophy, it’s no wonder there’s a crime problem.
If you subscribe to the ‘broken window’ philosophy, it’s no wonder there’s a crime problem.