----- Forwarded Message -----
To: Tdu Transportdownunder transportdownunder@...>
Sent: Sunday, 13 January 2019, 18:30
Subject: Wed.9.1.19 daily digest
Roderick
181026F Karrum Karrum Bridge (LXRA).
190109W Metro Twitter:- ~1908 Flinders St.- Westall error.- Williamstown options.- Carrum bridges. [Why are there two? The early 1970s rail bridge replaced a wooden one]
190109W Melbourne 'Age':- 1954 Luna Park.- needles.
Wed.9.1.19 Metro Twitter
Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Buses replace trains Flinders St (Federation Square) - Westall until the last train of Sun 13 Jan.
- Quite used to it now, and is the current norm. News would be "Trains replacing buses from 14th Jan until some date".
- Is there an error with the last timetable (to city) - should Flinders St & Westall be swapped?
- We will pass on to the area of concern.
- Could you please explain why, after a decade of constant line outages for supposed upgrades, your signals still don't work, the tracks still can't handle it when the weather goes above the mid twenties and the trains are actually slower. What do you actually 'upgrade'?
Frankston line: Buses replace trains Flinders St (Arts Centre) - Moorabbin until the last train of Sun 13 Jan.
- 13.29 People are standing on this replacement bus. The least that you can do is provide enough buses so your customers can sit down.
- While it's not ideal to have no trains all week, the replacement buses have been really well organised and staff are very friendly and helpful.
- Mention delays to Moorabbin because of the buses taking an alternative route and taking up to 25 min before they buses get off St Kilda Rd to a congested Dandenong Rd.
Buses replace trains Frankston - Stony Point until the last train of Sun 13 Jan.
Sandringham line: Trains will run to an altered weekday timetable.
- When will Pakenham/Cranbourne services return to normal for good?
- Monday 14 January.
- Is that a permanent end to all the major works on that line, or only this session of them?
- There’ll be still other works such as the tunnel, and modifications for the new trains, normal maintenance works, etc.
- What 'upgrades' exactly? The trains run slower today than they did in 2009. The trains have less capacity than they did in 1997. The tracks bend under slight warmth. The signals still break down constantly, leaving train stationary for hours at a time.
20.20 Williamstown line: Major delays (an equipment fault at Newport). Trains may terminate/originate at Newport [that is normal at this time of night?].
- 20.28 Consider local transport options. [given as an image].
- 21.02 clearing.Heritage Photography: Flinders Street Station during construction from Elizabeth St c1908.'Safety upgrade' works continue around Flinders Street station today. See www.vic.gov.au/melbournesecurityupgrade.htmlCarrum beach has always been a popular summer spot. We're extending McLeod Road to the beach, improving walking + cycling connections & creating 1.2 hectares of new space. [no mention of improvements to the train-bus interchange].
https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/revitalising-carrum
Routes 35, 70 and 75: Temporary changes for pedestrians from Wednesday 9 January to Tuesday 29 January 2019
Flinders Street forecourt upgrade works are continuing from Monday 7 January to Friday 25 January 2019.
trams Routes 35, 70 and 75 passengers using the Swanston Street stop may experience changes during this time.Routes 35, 70 and 75: Temporary changes for pedestrians from Wednesday 9 January to Tuesday 29 January 2019
Due to the Flinders Street Station forecourt upgrade works, pedestrian movement may be impacted from Wednesday 9 January to Tuesday 29 January 2019.
Construction around the Swanston Street/Flinders Street intersection will include barriers on the footpaths around the works, particularly outside of Young & Jackson.
The most disruptive part of the works are expected to occur at night, between 8pm and 6am.
Routes 35, 70 and 75:
•Passengers for Routes 35, 70 and 75 may experience access changes to Stop 5 Flinders Street Station during this time.
Passengers are advised to listen to onsite staff and refer to signage to navigate around the work zone
For more information on the works, visit City of Melbourne.
Additional information
•To plan your route, use journey planner.
•Download the free PTV mobile apps for Android and iOS and access public transport information on the go.
•Passengers requiring accessibility information, see Accessible transport.
•If you need help or a question answered, call us on 1800 800 007.
<www.ptv.vic.gov.au/live-travel-updates/article/routes-35-70-and-75-temporary-changes-to-tram-stop-access-changes-from-wednesday-9-january-to-tuesday-29-january-2019>
26 Oct 2018 New name for Station Street bridge, with six photos.
Earlier this year we opened a road bridge connecting Carrum and Bonbeach, and today that bridge got a name.
Alongside the Bunurong Traditional Owners, we unveiled a plaque with the name: Karrum Karrum Bridge. It’s a fitting name for the bridge as it pays respect to the Bunurong peoples and acknowledges traditional values, and the original name of the area for over 10,000 years.
With over 200 submissions, we received a lot of feedback about inspiring local identities from Carrum and Bonbeach. We are looking for ways to recognise these local heroes into the design of the Patterson River shared use paths.
Locals have been calling for a second road bridge over Patterson River for decades, and with over 1000 people coming along to the opening event in September, it showed the overwhelming support from the community.
Karrum Karrum Bridge will be an important link for the community during level crossing removal and revitalisation works in Carrum and will minimise disruption to commuters with a safer and more direct connection for locals between Bonbeach and Carrum.
With the bridge opened and named, Carrum is set to be transformed with a $50 million revitalisation which will boost business and enhance liveability in the bayside suburb.
Uncle Shane from the Bunurong Land Council and LXRA Project Director Adam Maguire speak about the Karrum Karrum Bridge.
The newly named Karrum Karrum bridge.
Related:
24 Sep 2018 Station Street bridge opens ahead of schedule For the first time ever, Carrum and Bonbeach residents are now able to drive along Station Street without having to detour onto the Nepean Highway, something locals have been wanting for decades.
26 Sep 2018 As we wrap up work on Karrum Karrum Bridge , our attention is turning to the removal of the level crossings in Carrum.
23 Dec 2018 Clayton's rail history rolls on
From little things, big things grow 11 Dec 2018
https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/indigenous-name-for-station-street-bridge
Police release images of man after alleged sex assault in Sunshine January 8, 2019.
The man boarding the bus.
A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted on a bus said her attacker smirked at her after making his vile unwanted advance.
The alleged victim, who did not wish to be identified, said the incident has left her paranoid for her safety and she’s hardly left the house since.
“People like him shouldn’t be on the streets,” she said.
“I hope he realises what he did is wrong.”
MORE HERALD SUN: FEARS OVER KILLER NEW DRUG
DRUG DRIVING OVERTAKES DRINK DRIVING
An 18-year-old man from Norlane has since handed himself into police following the alleged incident, but no charges have been laid.
The woman boarded a route 903 bus from the Sunshine Railway Station just after 6pm on December 27 after a day of shopping.
When she got up to exit the bus, she claims she felt someone touch her from behind.
“I felt a hand rub against me from behind,” she said.
“At first I didn’t know what had happened.
“When I looked back I saw him look away quickly.
“Before I got off I saw he was looking at me and he had a smirk on his face.”
He had a beard and long black hair in a bun.
The man was carrying an Adidas backpack with a yellow Adidas logo.
CCTV images have been released of a Pacific Islander man police believe may be able to assist with their inquiries, showing a man with a solid build, aged 20 to 30 years and 180cm tall with brown eyes, a black beard and long black hair in a bun.
The man was wearing a white top, khaki-coloured shorts, and was carrying an Adidas backpack with a yellow logo.
The man’s backpack.
The man boarding the bus.
The woman said she feared the alleged offender would follow her after the incident.
“I was scared because I didn’t want him to get off the bus with me,” she said.
“I was too scared to make eye contact.
“I felt really vulnerable.”
She urged him to hand himself into police.
“It’s scary knowing he or anyone else could be around... you don’t know what they are capable of,” she said.
Constable Ryan Hopkins said the man boarded the bus the time same as his victim.
He then exited the bus at Bell St, Pascoe Vale South about 7pm.
Constable Hopkins said he is not known to transit investigators.
Detectives believe he arrived at Sunshine railway station after taking a city bound VLine train from Melton.
“He has not come before the unit before. Acts like this on public transport will not be tolerated. We are 100 per cent committed to bringing him to justice,” said Con Hopkin.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
<www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/sunshine-sex-assault-police-release-images-of-man/news-story/1685117752a65eb2aaf7fdf69a224805>
Police hunt man who stuck 20 needles in Melbourne train seat 9 January 2019..
Needles found in a train seat on Tuesday.
A commuter who sat on almost 20 needles thought to have been deliberately embedded into a Melbourne train seat has told of his shock.
Anthony, who asked to be referred to by his first name only, said he felt a “little prick” on his leg and buttock as he sat down on a crowded train after boarding at West Footscray station just before 8am on Tuesday.
"It was definitely a shocking ... start to the morning," he said on Wednesday.
Anthony pulled out the sewing needles before checking for more on nearby seats but didn’t find any.
He saw a doctor afterwards and was given the all clear.
The needles in the seat. Credit: Anthony Artuso.
A photo he posted to Twitter shows the needles protruding from the seat, sharp-end up.
But he said he initially found them embedded further down, where they were hidden by the seat’s pattern. .
"Word of warning when travelling on Metro," he wrote. "Had a lovely surprise this morning when I sat on a seat with around 20 needles sticking into it..
"They were under the surface so I didn't see them. Once I sat, they poked out."
Metro reported the matter to police, who later found a further six needles on the ground while scouring the train for clues.
“We’re treating it very seriously. It’s appalling … it’s very dangerous,” Inspector Andrew Gustke said.
“My warning is to those who would even think about doing something like this: ‘You are being watched and you will be caught and we will punish you to the full extent of the law.”
Inspector Gustke said police were reviewing CCTV footage and had identified male suspects.
He said police believed the needles were left in the seat overnight while the train was servicing another as yet unidentified rail line.
Police are appealing for two witness who were also travelling on the Watergardens line City Loop service on Tuesday morning to come forward.
These include a man who may have sat on the seat before Anthony and a woman who sat on the next seat to him throughout his journey to Flinders Street Station, where he discarded the needles.
Metro Trains security head David De Francesco said Metro was also taking the incident seriously and was assisting police with their investigation.
“There’s a network of CCTV cameras across the Metro network that has been made available to Victoria Police,” he said.
“It appears to be an isolated incident and I just want to give some reassurance to our passengers.”
In September 2017 authorities launched an Australia-wide hunt after needles were found in strawberries.
A Queensland farm worker was charged in November over the tampering, which forced farmers to throw out tonnes of strawberries.
Anyone who has information on the train incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Related Article The needles found in the train seat. 'Word of warning': Commuter finds needles stuck in train seat.
<www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-hunt-man-who-stuck-20-needles-in-melbourne-train-seat-20190109-p50qfa.html>
'I enjoy the silence': The Sydney train driver who could earn more than a dentist 9 January 2019 109 comments.
It's very dark when Thea Pratt's alarm goes off. On Tuesday, she woke up at 1.20am for her early morning shift.
But with one of the highest-paid jobs in Sydney, getting up so early is that little bit easier.
Train driver Thea Pratt prepares to depart Lidcombe station. Credit: Nick Moir
Nationally, train drivers earn an annual median income of $114,125, according to data from the tax office.
The data shows train drivers rank 58 out of more than 1000 occupations, earning more on average than school principals ($112,075) and dentists ($109,457), but a bit less than general practitioners ($131,982) and pilots ($127,355).
Mrs Pratt, who joined Sydney Trains a year ago, says there's a reason her job pays so well.
"You’re driving a rather large piece of equipment with a rather large amount of people on it. It's safety-critical shift work."
While Mrs Pratt, 34, admits the generous salary was attractive, it wasn't the only reason she joined the railway. She views it as a form of community service. And the high income allows her husband to work part-time and care for their children.
Plus, she loves her work.
"I actively enjoy the job. I enjoy driving the train. I enjoy my workmates," she said.
Mrs Pratt used to work in a call centre, but grew tired of "talking to people constantly". While some people might get lonely spending eight hours a day on their own, driving a train allows her some peace and quiet.
"I have four children," she said. "I get enough noise at home. I personally enjoy the silence."
Railway workers, including train drivers, have traditionally had high levels of unionisation, which Mrs Pratt credits with keeping the pay well above the average median full-time income of $66,040.
"Because the railway has maintained such a high level of unionism, we've been able to hold onto our conditions," she said.
Mrs Pratt said some drivers "chase the overtime" by doing extra hours, with potential annual earnings rising to $130,000. An added bonus of her job is that it hasn't left her saddled with university debt. In fact, she was paid to complete the training.
Other high-paid jobs that don't require tertiary qualifications include state and federal members of parliament ($184,840), air traffic controllers ($143,571), miners ($116,056), crane operators ($91,649) and tanker drivers ($91,082).
These median annual taxable-income figures include not only the job’s salary, but any possible additional earnings from rent, bank interest, dividends and bonuses. They are based on the amounts people stated as their earnings before tax but after deductions on their 2015/16 tax returns.
The biggest downside to Mrs Pratt's job, she said, is the "political noise" when there are public transport issues, and "occasionally" having to deal with rude people. Mrs Pratt said when something goes wrong across the network, she is often in the dark herself.
"You understand people's frustration, but you can only do what you can do."
While driving a train might sound easy, it comes with a lot of responsibility, as thousands of commuters rely on the transport every day. There is also the "very real risk you'll hit someone", although it's not something she dwells on.
"If that’s the sort of thing that plays on your mind, this is not the job for you."
One of her favourite parts of the job, Mrs Pratt said, is the absence of "emotional baggage" compared to other community service jobs such as nursing and teaching. When she clocks off for the day, she switches off and doesn't take any work home.
"My train does not tell me stories about how badly it feels. I walk away, I’m done. I don’t have to think about it until I show up the next day."
Mrs Pratt is firmly in the minority in a heavily male-dominated industry. Sydney Trains said one in 10 drivers are women, above the national average of 7 per cent. But it's not something that bothers Mrs Pratt: "They've put a lot of effort into changing the culture.''
And while rapid technology advances will threaten many jobs in the future, Mrs Pratt is unfazed about her job security.
"I can't see it being a huge issue, honestly."
Related Article Do you earn enough? Find out the median annual income for your job. Check how much your job earns on average using the interactive below:
<www.watoday.com.au/business/workplace/i-enjoy-the-silence-the-sydney-train-driver-earning-more-than-a-dentist-20190107-p50py7.html>
9.1.19 PSOs will patrol trams for the first time on CBD and Australian Open-bound services as Victoria Police gears up to keep hundreds of thousands of tennis fans safe next week.
Assistant Commissioner Deb Abbott told the Herald Sun the PSOs would target crime and anti-social behaviour on the tram network.
Undercover officers will also blend in with fans inside and outside Melbourne Park as part of the policing operation.
The crackdown comes as the nation’s top-ranked tennis ace heads toward the Open in terrific form.
PSOs will patrol trams for the first time on CBD and Australian Open-bound services.
Queenslander Ashleigh Barty on Thursday swept into the semi-final of the Sydney International with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Belgian Elise Mertens.
Barty — who beat world No.1 Simona Halep earlier this week — will fly the flag for Australia as the Open’s 15th seed, hoping to become the first Aussie woman to win the title on home soil since Chris O’Neil in 1978.
There will be a boosted police presence at the tennis complex for the two-week event, with officers cracking down on disruptive and criminal behaviour..
Last year, US physician Dr Edmund Pribitkin suffered horrific injuries when he was attacked, along with his 17-year-old son, by a gang of teenagers as they made their way back to their hotel after leaving the tennis, and police are keen to avoid a repeat of the frightening incident, which created headlines around the world.
Police will saturate streets, roads and public transport hubs across the CBD and Richmond for the tournament, which runs from Monday until January 27. Picture: David Caird
“More than 20 PSOs will be deployed daily on CBD and tennis-bound tram routes, at tram stops and at the Flinders St and Richmond railway stations from 7am until after midnight for the duration of the tournament,” Ms Abbott said.
Police will saturate streets, roads and public transport hubs across the CBD and Richmond for the tournament, which runs from Monday until January 27.
Police will be supported by officers from the Operations Response Unit, Highway Patrol and Transit Safety Division, who will be deployed to busy and high-risk areas to ensure people move across the city and get home safely.
Tennis Australia chief operating officer Tom Larner. Picture: David Crosling
Ms Abbott said the force’s preparation for the security and safety of the Australian Open had been extensive. “Security and risk assessments are an integral part of planning for any major event and we’re confident this will be a safe, secure event for everyone,” she said. “Security arrangements are also in place to help with crowd and traffic management, but we’d ask people to be patient when heading through security gates.”
Tennis Australia chief operating officer Tom Larner said: “The safety and security of everyone who attends the Australian Open, including players, staff and fans is our highest priority.”
Lisa Neville, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, said: “As the tennis world flocks to Melbourne to celebrate the Australian Open, Victoria Police and PSOs will be out in force to keep the community safe.
“This is part of our record investment in more police and PSOs, enhanced security measures and more effective laws to keep the community safe.”
<www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/australian-open/police-psos-out-in-force-to-protect-fans-at-australian-open/news-story/5bf82d212bc588a1bab5c25c41742d2f>
Records 'blown away' as rising power bill fears trigger solar PV surge 9 January 2019 14 comments
<www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/records-blown-away-as-rising-power-bill-fears-trigger-solar-pv-surge-20190108-p50q8f.html>
Sydney and Melbourne playing catch-up with transport infrastructure 9 January 2019. 32 comments.
Melbourne and Sydney have experienced significant growth and both are predicted to reach the current population of New York by around 2050. Efforts to decentralise population growth to regional centres have had limited effect..
Australia's major cities are playing catch-up with roads. Credit:Eddie Jim
Population growth puts pressure on health, education and other services. But a key policy issue in both cities is “congestion” – the challenges in just moving around.
Both cities are among the largest in the world by area, with low density making them costly to serve and making any material underground rail network prohibitively expensive.
Sydney awoke to the issue in 2011, developing WestConnex, NorthConnex, a large package of western Sydney works, Sydney Metro and light rail projects.
Planning for a new harbour tunnel and northern beaches link to the north and F6 extension to the south along with a host of rail projects is well advanced. NSW has been able to recycle capital from its energy and port assets, which has been critical.
Melbourne took longer but, having cancelled the only material project on the books in 2016, the East-West Link, the Andrews government has, in just a few years, substantially completed the Tullamarine Freeway widening, Monash stage 1 and M80 widenings, a major suburban road upgrade program and 29 level crossing removals, and commenced the West Gate Tunnel and Melbourne Metro (essentially a nine-kilometre link to unblock existing rail networks by 2025).
Victoria has now committed to the North-East Link ($16 billion), Airport Rail Link ($13 billion), 25 more level crossing removals ($7 billion), metro line capacity expansions, more rolling stock and suburban road upgrade packages, and is studying a 90-kilometre Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop ($50 billion, but who knows).
Sydney has been well-supported by the Commonwealth with $9 billion in funding for the connexes, western Sydney and Sydney Metro as well as western Sydney airport ($5.3 billion, where additional support is expected for associated road and rail infrastructure) and regional projects like the Pacific Highway duplication ($5.6 billion), much of the $11 billion Inland Rail spend and a $5 billion spend on the foreshadowed Snowy Hydro pumped storage project.
Victoria has had to cover most of the spend on Melbourne’s infrastructure with limited federal government support. Discussions reportedly occurred at various times about additional funding but no agreement could be reached.
Victoria was able to recycle $10 billion of capital from the lease of the Port of Melbourne but its credit card is starting to groan with state debt forecast to rise to $32 billion over 4 years (6 per cent of gross state product) but increase to 12 per cent over the medium term – to over $60 billion.
The federal government has promised $5 billion for airport rail and $1.75 billion for the North-East Link. It will be interesting to see whether any further funds are allocated in April’s budget.
Cracks are also starting to show in infrastructure delivery, where contracting capability is becoming very stretched.
While all this spending might seem like a lot, failing to address congestion comes with a big cost in terms of lost productivity.
China has addressed its urbanisation issues more aggressively. Melbourne’s sister city, Chengdu (population 10 million), has four ring roads with two more planned - Melbourne will have to wait until around 2026 for its first when North-East Link opens, though Sydney’s first will soon be complete with WestConnex (sort of).
Chengdu started building an underground rail network in 2005. By 2017 it had completed six lines spanning 196 kilometres with 151 stations, with another line due in 2020. Getting around Chengdu is pretty easy and it has four high-speed rail connections to other major cities.
Urbanisation is here to stay but Sydney and Melbourne will need to maintain their infrastructure investment at a cracking pace to retain their standard of living and remain globally competitive.
Robert Nicholson is a partner in Herbert Smith Freehills.
Related Article Is there any more quintessentially Australian summer activity than the great Aussie road trip? Bingo! Australians have a lot to be grateful for, including roadtrips
<www.smh.com.au/national/sydney-and-melbourne-playing-catch-up-with-transport-infrastructure-20190109-p50qd9.html>