Tell that to the accountants.
Amen. Death to Transurban, death to tolls
Yes, Transurban are a rent-seeking parasite who has stymied many worthwhile public transport project.
The fact they extracted $3-4 billion out of the State Govt for the road when it was originally going to cost taxpayers “nothing”, is worthy of a Royal Commission.
1 Like
I drove the Coomera Connector on the weekend. Very limited use at the moment (only goes around 2km) but if if gets up and is built completely (and i have my serious doubts it will) it will be a game changer for traffic between south brisbane and the goldie. I personally think this should be a priority project in the lead up to the olympics but i know this won’t happen
Curious why you think it won’t be built in full. I have no doubt at all it will.
2 Likes
The LNP has a long history of either scrapping or watering down major infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast once they take power. When you layer that with the usual fighting between an LNP state government and a Labor federal government, it feels like this project is more vulnerable to politics than protected by planning.
A good recent example is the final stage of the Gold Coast light rail. Despite clear transport and congestion benefits, it’s been repeatedly stalled because it would upset residents in the southern end — with the usual scare campaign about it “changing the character of the area” or bringing in the so-called “riff-raff.” Whether that argument holds water or not, it’s politically effective.
Given that the LNP holds most Gold Coast seats, there’s very little incentive for them to push projects that might upset those voters and put marginal or safe seats at risk. Infrastructure that’s controversial locally — even if it’s sensible long-term — tends to be the first thing quietly delayed, reviewed, or reshaped until it’s unrecognisable.
I think the LNP is very anti-PT (hence the axing of GCLR4 and the Wave Metro instead of the Maroochydoore Heavy Rail project). Roads seem to get up fine and as far as I can tell, any work that speeds up GC to BNE in the eyes of commuters is fine
2 Likes
I wouldn’t put this in the same bucket as the GC light rail.
I have no doubt at all this will proceed.
In fact the LNP have accelerated planning around the east-west connectors linking the M1 and the M9 for the next sections to the north.
The only thing I’d be concerned about is whether they try to sneak in a toll, which is possible, but not certain.
1 Like
Does anyone else have a shopping centre or car park with the marked spaces between each spot…like this?
And do you get idiots who think they can just park in those spaces in a sort of diagonal manner…like this
How did they manage to get their license? In a box of corn flakes?
1 Like
They have these in the US everywhere, but this is the first time I’ve seen it in Aus.
where i go to charge the car in Rochdale has this. i suspect its cos there needs to be room between the cars to allow you to plug in the charger. I’ll look next time i’m there to see if non supercharger sports have it
These spots are nowhere near a charger. These are regular parking spots with a gap between each slot, I’d dare say for ease of getting in and out of a car without hitting the car next to you.
The gronk was doing the car version of a starfish, spreading across both gaps and their own bay.
Tonight 7News Melbourne showed a transport challenge to see which mode was the best from Hoppers Crossing station in the west to Marvel Stadium on a weekday morning. Blake Johnson took the train, Lachie drove via West Gate Bridge while Layla drove through the West Gate Tunnel.
While not ‘banned’ outright, idle-stop and other emissions-reducing systems are no longer required in the USA, as emissions controls are deregulated.
The change means that automakers will no longer be incentivised for the inclusion of engine stop-start tech, however will still be able to include the feature if they so choose.
The stop-start tech itself was never mandated in the USA, but was rewarded under the off-cycle credit system.
The impact of the US change is unlikely to be felt in Australia, with a relatively small number of US-sourced vehicles sold here, and Australia’s own New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) scheme guiding the emission reduction strategies carmakers use in Australia.
There are other ways for motorists to check Melbourne’s traffic before their commute — the VicTraffic website publishes live information about crashes, roadworks and travel times, and toll road operators host some live traffic cameras.
But Mr (Clarke) Towson’s is the only live traffic camera monitoring the West Gate Bridge that is available to the public.
Since the camera went live in January, the YouTube channel has had nearly 20,000 views.
2 Likes
What a mess. A terribly expensive mistake:
A Victorian council has apologised for overcharging parking fines for almost two decades, promising it will refund almost $35,000 collected in the blunder.
Mansfield Shire Council, about 240km northeast of Melbourne, will rollout a parking infringement refund scheme after identifying a historical administrative issue that resulted in staff over collecting parking infringement penalties without a formal resolution from council.
The council identified up to 765 parking infringement penalties dating back to 2009, with an estimated $34,588 collected above the default penalty rate.
It may also owe fine recipients up to $10,000 in late fees and legal costs.
Global Traffic Network retreats from UK with $40m loss and choppers for sale
GTN is selling off its Australian fleet of choppers
Global Traffic Network (GTN) has posted a $40.9m loss for the first half of the financial year, with revenue down by 14.7%.
Traffic reports from helicopters phasing out.
“Early in the company’s evolution, aviation was seen as a barrier to entry and critical to the signing up of affiliates. However, in recent years with the advancement in technology, TV reports from a ground-based studio provide better value to clients.
1 Like
Brunton Avenue, which runs outside the MCG and Yarra Park in East Melbourne, is being renamed Barassi Way in honour of the late Aussie Rules legend Ron Barassi Jr.
The road was originally named after Sir William Brunton, who was Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1923 to 1926.
Herald Sun reports the tribute will be revealed this morning, while road signage will be changed over coming days ahead of the start of the new AFL season next Thursday.
2 Likes