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Sent: Saturday, 16 February 2019, 21:26
Subject: Fri.8.2.19 daily digest

Roderick.
Melbourne Express, Monday, February 4, 2019
8.08 A relief centre has been set up at the Melbourne Town Hall. Shuttle buses are available to transport evacuees from the corner of Bourke and Spencer streets.  Spencer Street remains closed between Lonsdale and Bourke streets. Traffic and trams are both affected.
This morning's apartment fire was at the Neo200 building on Spencer Street. The building is 41 storeys and features 371 residential apartments.
The same builder was involved in the Lacrosse building, which was devastated by fire in 2014.
MFB chief officer Dan Stephens has told media that the Spencer Street building is cladded in the same materials involved in the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in London in 2017.
7.17 Still unsafe to return to apartments. About 6.50am, residents were gathered together and told by police it was still unsafe to go back inside the building. There are about 150 residents waiting on the footpath opposite the building entrance.
6.46: 15 fire trucks and about 60 firefighters responded to the call just before 5am. Crews observed flames and smoke coming from the 16th floor. The fire quickly spread up four floors outside the building.
6.36 Spencer Street is closed in both directions between Bourke and Little Bourke streets.
The fire is under control but Spencer Street may be closed for some time through the morning peak. Consider King Street or Wurundjeri Way as alternatives.
Route 86 trams are diverting via La Trobe Street between Stop 11 Melbourne Museum and Stop 119 Spencer Street. Trains have not been affected.
6.29 Evacuated residents gather on street Residents have gathered on the opposite side of the street and are grouped together by floor numbers.
Firefighters gained access to the apartments about 6.10am and could be seen spraying the flames, which seemed to stop the spread.
6.20 The apartment fire appears to be under control. Spencer Street is still closed in both directions. Tram services are also interrupted.
The building is on the corner of Spencer and Little Bourke streets.
5.56 There's an apartment fire in Spencer Street. We hear sirens from Media House. The fire is spreading rapidly and police have blocked off the street.
5.43 On the trains, minor delays at Mernda.
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-monday-february-4-2019-20190204-p50vgb.html>

Melbourne Express, Tuesday, February 5, 2019
8.37:
Route 109 trams aren't running between Kew Junction and Deepdene Park.
- 8.26 Because of a collision in Cotham Rd:
- Route 109 trams are running in sections, with no trams between Stop 32 Kew Junction & Stop 44 Deepdene Park.
- Passengers can consider connecting to Route 72 or Bus 548 trams along Burke Rd, to connect to trains from Camberwell Station or to trams diverting to North Balwyn along the Route 48.
- 8.53 All outbound lanes are blocked on Cotham Road at Davis Street, Kew following a collision involving a car and a tram. Drivers are advised to use Barkers Road or High Street to avoid the closure.
Route 109 trams are only running in sections, with no trams between Kew Junction and Deepdene Park.
- 8.56 Route 109 trams have resumed after an earlier disruption. Delays may occur as we restore normal frequency.
- Would be great if your drivers encouraged people to move down so the massive delays could actually clear. Seeing space after being told it’s full is not ok.
- Meanwhile, there are minor delays on the Belgrave and Craigieburn lines.
7.48 On the trams, there's a "traffic incident" on Commercial Road.
- 7.40 Route 78 trams to North Richmond are delayed at Stop 47 Commercial Road due to a traffic incident.
- 7.53 Route 78 trams have resumed after an earlier disruption. Delays may occur as we restore normal frequency.
5.52 All clear so far on the roads and trains. Get commuting while the going's good!
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-tuesday-february-5-2019-20190205-p50vof.html>

Melbourne Express, Wednesday, February 6, 2019.
8.53 Monash Freeway closed after "gruesome" motorcycle crash:
•A VicRoads spokesperson has confirmed the Monash will be closed for “at least a couple of hours” after a "gruesome scene" involving a truck and a motorcycle which has left a motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries.
•The queue to get onto the freeway is backed up all the way to Stud Road, Rowville.
•Callers to radio are describing the incident as highly graphic and disturbing. One caller, a former emergency worker, said it was the "most horrendous incident" he'd seen.
•VicRoads says there are reports of people driving recklessly and not respecting overhead signs.
•Traffic signalling is being adjusted to divert people away from the Monash.
8.35 Monash Freeway closed inbound. Route 70 trams are experiencing delays on Swan Street, Richmond due to heavy traffic and loading.
7.41 No delays on the public transport network.
PM offers $100 million for busy freeways in outer burbs: The federal Coalition moves to consolidate support in Victorian after a devastating loss in the state election.
6.02 All clear so far on the roads and trains, though traffic lights are down on Ballarat Rd Sunshine.
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-wednesday-february-6-2019-20190206-p50vx1.html>

Melbourne Express, Thursday, February 7, 2019
Reports of up to 10 beds in flats should alarm regulators but it is not unique to the Neo200 complex in the CBD (The Age, 6/2). Overcrowding is common in suburbs that are popular with international backpackers and students. Accommodation agencies rent by the bed, offering cheap deals to young foreigners and huge rental returns to owners and agents. This is slum-like overcrowding.
They operate like youth hostels, but without regulation. They do not fall within the Residential Tenancies Act nor are they covered by boarding and rooming house regulations which apply only when there are more than 12 residents. Landlords and agencies involved in this overcrowding are operating without regulation because none exists. It is timely for the residential rules to be reviewed to deliver minimum space and amenity standards for residents, reduce the problems with noisy flats and ensure we do not see a human disaster when the next fire in a high-rise occurs.
8.35 Fire detectives set to investigate fire-ravaged warehouse.  The suspicious warehouse blaze in Maribynong this morning. It's now under control, and fire detectives will comb the site today in a bid to find out what sparked the fire.
8.04 Trams are back in full service near the warehouse blaze earlier this morning.
7.38 Route 82 trams have resumed following the earlier disruption. Delays may still occur as we restore normal frequency.
7.21Suspicious warehouse blaze under control. Firefighters have done a sterling job this morning, with the factory blaze now contained.
6.45 A warning has been issued for streets surrounding the warehouse blaze. Smoke in the area is being blown in a northerly direction towards Sloane and White streets, and residents have been urged to keep roads clear for emergency services. Those sensitive to smoke have been urged to close windows and doors, and to turn off heating and cooling systems.
6.37 Trams halted in Maribyrnong Due to the warehouse blaze, route 82 trams are not running between several stops. Commuters have been urged to consider nearby buses.
6.31 Cars alight in suspicious warehouse blaze. Firefighters are currently battling a suspicious blaze in Maribyrnong, on Williamson Rd near Bunnings. An MFB spokesman said three or four cars were alight, and the warehouse, which measures 50m x 80m, was heavy with smoke. More  than 60 firefighters and 15 fire trucks are fighting the fire. Police are also on scene.
6.23 Because of emergency services attending a fire in Williamson Rd:
- Route 82 trams run in sections with no trams between Stop 54 Gordon St and Stop 48 Wests Rd.
- Passengers may consider Route 223 / 407 / 468 buses opposite Highpoint Shopping Centre to connect between sections.
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-thursday-february-7-2019-20190207-p50w5z.html>

Melbourne Express, Friday, February 8, 2019.
9.04 Don't forget to plan your journeys this weekend, with substantial road and rail works going on around the city.
This weekend be sure to check on your train line. Buses are replacing trains on several lines, including Sandringham, Glen Waverley, Werribee, Williamstown, Cranbourne and Hurstbridge lines. Other lines, including Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston lines, will not run through the city loop.
Summer blitz targets jet skiers, boaties along the bay. There has been plenty of water play over our hot Melbourne summer, but not everyone has been behaving.
Over six days, water police issued 390 fines for unsafe behaviour along the Melbourne coastline, including St Kilda, port Melbourne, Carrum, Safety Beach and Rye.
Speeding on jet skis was one of the most common offences, along with failing to carry a licence or safety equipment.
Two swimmers were also fined for swimming within 50m of a launching ramp in Frankston.
7.15 There's been a big accident at Alexandra Ave in South Yarra. The left-hand lane is closed westbound at Chapel St. Might be some cranky drivers who were trying to avoid Olympic Boulevard and are now sitting in traffic anyway. Good day to be on public transport!
7.06 Headed to Flinders St this morning? Roadworks have gone overtime this morning. Avoid the area if you can.
6.54: Flinders St is closed westbound at Swanston Street, outside the station.  If you're heading into town along St Kilda Rd, you can't turn left.  Roadworks have run over time and it's not supposed to reopen until 8.30.
6.20 Roads are looking fairly clear this morning. However, planned works have closed Olympic Boulevard between Punt Road and AAMI Park until early next week, which is affecting Route 70 trams and traffic.
5.57 Olympic Boulevard is closed between Punt Road and AAMI Park until 6.00 Tuesday for important works. Route 70 trams and traffic are affected. VicRoads will tweak light sequences where needed to keep  traffic moving. Avoid the area.
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-friday-february-8-2019-20190208-p50wfb.html>
Fri.8.2.19 Metro Twitter.
10.26 Belgrave/Lilydale lines: Minor delays (an equipment fault near Mont Albert).  Traibns may depart from different platforms between Camberwell and Box Hill.10.43 Upfield/Craigieburn/Sunbury lines: All trains are running direct between North Melbourne and Flinders Street (an ill passenger at Flagstaff).
- 11.05 Loop running is resuming.
14.19 Belgrave/Lilydale lines: Minor delays (police attending to a trespasser near Nunawading).  Trains may be held.
- 14.28 clearing.
15.26 Pakenham line: Minor delays (police near Narre Warren). Trains may be held.
- 15.33 clearing.
18.07 Lilydale, Belgrave & Alamein lines: Delays up to 15 minutes (a power surge affecting trackside equipment).
- 18.12 Staff at Camberwell were quite good at communicating this when it occurred.
- I like it better when you include the line first so that I know immediately if I'm affected
- 18.23 Delays have extended and are up to 20 minutes.
- 18.29 After all the line closures for track and upgrade works on thisime over the past 2 years, why are these ongoing failures and delays still happening? It seems to be getting worse, not better, especially the last 3 weeks.
- 18.33 Investigations are ongoing, but it looks to be an external power fault.
- 18.51 Delays are now up to 30 minutes.
- 19.18 Delays are reducing, now up to 15 minutes.
From 20.00 all inbound Frankston line trains will terminate at Caulfield all weekend (works).  Outbound trains will originate there.
- 23.48 Wow, don't tell us any time now? I have to go back 5 hours to find out why we have to catch two different trains from Parliament to get on a train that gets me near home.
- 0.02 And why do we have to wait so long at Caulfield? It's like Metro doesn't bother to attempt to time connections between trains. The station is packed, with no Frankston train here waiting for us, let alone going!
Buses replace trains Darling - Glen Waverley from 20.30 and all weekend (power-supply upgrade works).
Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: All trains will run direct Flinders St - Richmond from 20.53 (maintenance works).
Buses replace trains between South Yarra and Sandringham from 21.20 until the last train of Sunday 10 February.
- It’s 20.40 and am I catching the bus. How are we supposed to plan around this?

'We won': Landmark climate ruling as NSW court rejects coal mine.
February 8, 2019. 154 comments
<www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/we-won-landmark-climate-ruling-as-nsw-court-rejects-coal-mine-20190207-p50wer.html>