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Subject: Fri.19.6.20 daily digest

Roderick

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19.6.20 Metro Twitter
Buses replace trains on sections of the Frankston and Frankston - Stony Point until the last train of Sun 26 Jul (level-crossings works).
We’re installing more than 250 touchless hand-sanitising stations at our busiest stations, tram stops and bus terminals Victoria-wide. Good hand hygiene is one of our best defences in slowing the spread of coronavirus.
- Great to see. 
- What would also be useful is face covering vending machines (masks or face shields) to nudge people in the right direction.
- Yes! Even WHO (after being dragged kicking and screaming to the science) are now recommending masks on public transport contexts. Why this is not a universal recommendation is beyond comprehension given the data available? P2/N95 mask with your Myki top up!
- Will they be kept there post-covid?
- Why only the busiest stations and not all stations?
- It would also be worth installing more quick touch myki readers. They can read your card without having to hold them flat against the panel. I think some stations still have the old ones.
- Awesome - but please, give some serious thought about where you put them, the flow of people and the process and time involved in using them. Right next to a Myki barrier, for example, is the worst possible place you could put them.
- Not the best location though?
- And other viruses like influenza that kills people every year. I think people haven't forgotten that!
- That is amazing.
- Well done guys.
- Nice but ultimately pointless when you’ve got someone’s face and armpits in your face on a train each morning due to crowding. We should be encouraging more people to keep working from home. Not travel in to the CBD each day just to use a computer and phone.
- Please install them on platforms too at city stationsm, so that we can use them after opening train doors or using an escalator.
- Won’t make much difference if people are still crammed in on trains.. any news about adding extra services to deal with the peak hour crush?
- What about masks? WHO advises public to wear face masks when unable to distance. Over-60s should use medical-grade masks and all others three-layer fabric ones, health body says.
18.16 Lilydale line: Buses will be replacing trains Ringwood - Mooroolbark (a tree blocking the track).  Buses may take up to 60min to arrive; consider alternatives list on our website.
- 18.26 Journey time extended by ~30 minutes.
- 18.36 Buses may take up to 45 min to arrive.
- 18.46 Buses may take up to 30 min to arrive.
- 18.58 Buses may take up to 15 min to arrive.
- 19.10 Buses extended to replace trains Ringwood - Lilydale.  Buses are in operation.
- 20.10 Still buses, until ~10.00 Sat.
Buses replace trains Newport - Werribee from 20.25 until 6.10 Sat 20 Jun (works).
Buses replace trains North Melbourne - Upfield from 20.30 until the last train of Sun 21 June (level-crossing works at Moreland and Coburg).
Lilydale/Belgrave/Glen Waverley lines: All trains direct to/from Flinders St from 21.00 until the last train (maintenance works).  From Southernthn Cross and loop stations, take any train to Richmond and change.
Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Buses replace trains between Caulfield & Westall from 0.30 until 4.00 Saturday 20 June (urgent works). The last through trains will be: 0.00 ex Flinders St and 23.47 ex Pakenham.

From the Archives: They still call her the Forces' Sweetheart June 18, 2020
<www.brisbanetimes.com.au/culture/music/from-the-archives-1980-they-still-call-her-the-forces-sweetheart-20200618-p55433.html>

'Sidelined' Victoria Park council on the warpath over Metronet sky rail plans June 19, 2020
One of Perth's most vibrant suburbs has lashed out at the state government, calling them "shortsighted" over Metronet plans they say threaten to destroy the amenity of the area.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced on Tuesday a sky rail would be built along the Armadale line, with community spaces planned for underneath the tracks and around the stations.
The Town of Victoria Park says its been sidelined by the state government. CREDIT:
As part of the project, which mirrors a similar line in Melbourne's south-eastern corridor, level crossings and boom gates would be removed to link communities separated by the tracks.
But the Town of Victoria Park, home to five stations along the rail corridor, said it had been sidelined from the multi-million dollar project and "robbed" of the opportunity to have its say.
Mayor Karen Vernon said the announcement was disappointing and did not go far enough to transform the area into a thriving hub with new higher-density development around public transport, walking paths and cycling lanes.
"Our preference is for the government to go much further, by undergrounding the rail line along this corridor," she said.
"While we have been working with the Metronet team, this announcement is another example of state government sidelining local government under the guise of bringing this project forward for economic stimulus following COVID-19."
The council had been campaigning for the railway to go underground since 2019, warning in a report released last December that a breakdown in cooperation with the state government could threaten the area's housing targets and stunt local economic growth.
Victoria Park has been tipped as one of four metropolitan councils to do the heaviest overall lifting to increase population density under the Perth andPeel@... million framework, with targets to double their existing numbers of homes by 2050.
Since the state government framework was released in 2018, plans to concentrate urban property development around major highways with good public transport have been included into precinct planning by the council.
Ms Vernon said the Town planned to fight the proposal and remained hopeful the state government would be open to exploring other options.
Ms Saffioti said the sky rail project focused on "delivering achievable and possible" outcomes after taking into consideration the suburb's constraints and cost parameters.
"I find that in many instances if you push these ideas [such as underground rail] they are never going to become reality," she told reporters on Wednesday.
"We look at the constraints, we look at our plan, put forward the plan and then engage in things like station location and design, amenity and what activity can be undertaken under the rail line."
The project will see crossings on Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, William Street and Wharf Street removed and the construction of new stations in Carlisle, Oats Street, Beckenham and potentially Queens Park. Welshpool Station will also close.
The state government will now develop the design and station locations, with a business case to be submitted to Infrastructure Australia by the end of the year.
"What we will see is the community get on board and be involved in designing and also understanding how they can use that community space," Ms Saffioti said.
RELATED ARTICLE The proposed development will be voted on next Wednesday.  Car yards out, swanky hipsters in: Vic Park's evolution has begun
<www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/sidelined-victoria-park-council-on-the-warpath-over-metronet-sky-rail-plans-20200618-p553xp.html>
* I wish this council would put a sock in it. It is an inner city suburb and having a sky rail will look great. To those who want big blue skies and wide open spaces, move to the bush.
* The part of Vic Park where the railway line runs is a dump. Derelict houses, grotty little lunch bars and small factories. Getting the railway crossings up off the ground will actually improve it.
* This is a sub-standard design the makes no allowance to the character and amenity of the area. It will be ugly and noisy and is really just a hatchet job to said a few quid. We'd rather have level crossings than this abomination
* If that's the case then stop bellyaching about what you've got.

Stamford Park Rowville: Adventure play precinct part of redevelopment
Knox Leader June 19, 2020
From Bayswater’s steam train to Burwood’s W-class trams, the east is home to some of Melbourne’s best playgrounds. And, with an adventure playground in Rowville on the way, it is only going to get better. Here’s where there’s fun to be had.
An artist's impression of the planned 38ha of parkland at Stamford Park Rowville.
A huge new public space, including cycling tracks, paths and an adventure play precinct, is coming to Stamford Park in Rowville.
Knox Mayor Nicole Seymour says stage one of the council’s Stamford Park project includes the restoration of the historic homestead and gardens which are now a major attraction for Knox.
“I am excited that we are now shovel-ready for stage two of our vision for this area,” Cr Seymour said.
“Making accessible 38ha of parkland with shared paths and cycling tracks, as well as a fabulous Adventure Play Precinct will truly transform the area while preserving and enhancing the natural landscape.”
An artist's impression of the planned 38ha of parkland with shared paths, cycling tracks, and adventure play precinct.
Stage one of the redevelopment was completed in 2019.
Stage two begins next week and will take about six months, encompassing the new play precinct. It will include adventure play equipment, including a flying fox, fitness equipment, pathways and landscaping, and picnic spaces.
Stage three is expected to start at the end of the year and will include shared walk and cycle paths and boardwalks through the wetlands, landscaping and revegetation works of the wetlands and surrounds, including a lookout tower and village green for community events, and a specially designed habitat for the local platypus colony.
While you’re waiting to check out the new precinct, here’s our list of some of the best parks to check out in the east:
OLINDA PLAYSPACE, 75-77 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda. A huge hit since opening last year, the $1.8 million nature-based play space at the old Olinda Golf Course includes an all-ability playground, picnic facilities, barbecues, a dog off-lead area and toilet block.
The beautiful owl sculptures are part of the Olinda playspace.
WATTLE PARK. Riversdale Rd Burwood
Best known for its two W-class trams which children can climb aboard explore, the Burwood park has been a favourite for families for years, with walking trails, ovals, tennis courts and a golf course, along with more play equipment.
Children can play on Wattle Park's W-class trams.
JELLS PARK, Jells Rd Wheelers Hill. There are multiple play areas for the kids to enjoy at Jells Park as well as plenty of walking tracks and green space. The park has been hugely popular as Victoria has come out of lockdown with families flocking back to enjoy the area.  It also has a cafe, Madelines at Jells, if you need a coffee fix. You may even be lucky enough to spot some native wildlife.
There are plenty of walking tracks to explore at Jells Park in Wheelers Hills.
MARIE WALLACE RESERVE, 1 King St, Bayswater. Perhaps best known as the train park, the park’s popular red train has been delighting young visitors for years. A new bike training path, which allows children to ride on a track complete with traffic lights, has been a welcome new addition to the park.
The red steam train engine is a huge hit with kids.
BRICKMAKERS PARK, Stamford Rd Oakleigh. There’s so much for the kids to explore at this huge park, including the playground and historical brick making machinery. It’s also a great place for a bike ride, with Scotchman’s Creek Trail running through the park.
The playground at Brickmakers Park, Oakleigh.
QUARRY RESERVE, Quarry Rd Upper Ferntree Gully. There’s a new playground at Quarry Rd Upper Ferntree Gully. The reserve has recently undergone a number of upgrades, including a new nature-based playground, with swings and a climbing area, as well as picnic areas and fencing. Aston federal Liberal MP Alan Tudge said the reserve was “a hidden gem in Knox” and worth a visit.
RUFFEY LAKE PARK. 99 Victoria St, Doncaster East. A favourite for families living in Manningham, the park includes an adventure playground with a tyre swing, slides, flying fox and monkey bars. There’s also toilets, shaded areas electric barbecues and picnic shelters.
The playground at Ruffey Lake park.
MOO COW PARK, 1 Wren Close. Nunawading. A very sweet black and white cow is part of the play equipment at this Nunawading park. Whitehorse Council also recommends checking out the play equipment at Halliday Park, Box Hill Gardens and Blackburn Lake Sanctuary.
RELATED:
OUR TOP 25 PLAYGROUNDS
VICTORIAN SCHOOLS’ PLAYGROUNDS TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE
SCHOOLS BATTLE TO KEEP PLAYGROUNDS GREEN
<www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/stamford-park-rowville-adventure-play-precinct-part-of-redevelopment/news-story/4ec905f763070cbc004791c6bdc30aea>

Vera Lynn: Singer who entertained British troops in WWII has died
June 19, 2020
<www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vera-lynn-singer-who-entertained-british-troops-in-wwii-has-died/news-story/1afef8f3854035714929b1dfce74ebe5>