----- Forwarded message -----

To:australiantransportnews@... australiantransportnews@...>
Sent: Saturday, 24 October 2020, 11:13:49 pm AEDT
Subject: Sun.19.7.20 daily digest

Roderick

"171114-Melbourne'Age'-Ormond-ss.jpg" 

 "200718Sa-Melbourne'Age'-level.crossing-ss.jpg" 

Sun.19.7.20 Metro Twitter
Buses replace trains Dandenong - Pakenham until the last train of Sun 19 Jul (level-crossing works).
- Cardinia Road, Pakenham is closed northbound all weekend, for level-crossing works. Closures are in place until 6am Monday 20 May, between Bridge Road and Shearwater Drive. Detour using McGregor Road or Station Street
- Buses replace trains Caulfield - Pakenham from 19.30 until the last train.
Buses replace trains on sections of the Frankston line and to Stony Point until the last train of Sun 19 Jul (level-crossing works).
Buses replace trains Greensborough - Hurstbridge from 6.00 to 20.00 (maintenance works).
Buses replace trains Newport - Werribee from 19.10 until the last train (works).
Mernda/Hurstbridge lines: Buses replace trains Parliament - Clifton Hill from 20.20 until the last train (maintenance works).
Lilydale/Belgrave lines: All trains will terminate/originate at Burnley from 20.50 until the last train (works). From Soutnern Cross and loop stations, take a Pakenham/Cranbourne train to Flinders St and then a Glen Waverley train to Burnley [and lose 30 min].
Glen Waverley line: All trains will run direct to/from Flinders St from 20.50 until the last train (works).  From loop stations, take a Pakenham/Cranbourne train to Flinders St and change.

Controversial Ormond station tower under cloud as opposition seeks to block it November 14, 2017
A controversial 13-storey tower planned for the top of Ormond train station is in doubt, with the Liberals and Greens moving to thwart the project in State Parliament.
The Andrews government has approved plans for Ormond's first high-rise – a 233-apartment tower above the station on North Road – that is set to dwarf surrounding buildings.
The planned tower will be the first high-rise in Ormond.CREDIT:WAYNE TAYLOR
It was opposed by local residents and Glen Eira Council, which pushed for an eight-storey building in the low-rise area.
But the 13-storey development was approved by a planning panel in March and supported by Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne supports the building of the Ormond tower.CREDIT:PAT SCALA
In order for the tower to go ahead, changes to the Glen Eira planning scheme needed to pass both houses of Parliament.
However, the project now appears to be hanging in the balance, as the opposition prepares to block the project in the upper house on Wednesday, with the Greens signalling they will support the move.
If the government's proposed amendment is successfully revoked, it will take the project back to the drawing board, potentially unravelling an extensive planning process. Stopping a project in this way has been described by planning experts as exceptionally rare.
Greens planning spokeswoman Samantha Dunn said the government needed to come up with a design that meets community expectations and has called for the building to be reduced to eight storeys.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Coalition was threatening investor confidence.CREDIT:JOE ARMAO
Opposition public transport spokesman David Davis said the tower was an example of inappropriate planning.
"The opposition is deeply concerned with the government's approach to its massive and inappropriate tower in the local Ormond shopping centre," said Mr Davis.
"The opposition supports sensible transport orientated development, but does not support riding roughshod over local communities as occurred in Ormond."
Mr Davis has also flagged another revocation motion of the controversial Markham Estate – 1.4 hectares of prime Ashburton land the Andrews government wants to develop for both private and public housing.
The Greens have also signalled that they would support this.
The Property Council of Australia has hit out at the both the Liberals and the Greens, with executive director of the Victorian branch Sally Capp​ accusing the parties of creating uncertainty around the projects to benefit their own political purposes.
"This is not a political game," she said.
"We are disappointed, concerned and frustrated. One of the main things that really drives affordability and supply of housing is planning certainty and these motions against Ormond Station and Markham Estate ... will throw everything up in the air."
She said the project was a "poster child" for urban property development "at a time when we absolutely have to address more housing supply in the middle ring".
Mr Davis' moves to oppose the projects come despite Opposition Leader Matthew Guy approving thousands of apartments in Melbourne's CBD when he was planning minister – including in what he claimed was the first 100-storey building in the southern hemisphere – earning him the moniker "My Skyscraper".
In 2014, he approved a 31-storey tower in South Yarra, despite Stonnington Council's preferred heigh limit of 13 storeys.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said Mr Davis was a "loose cannon" who was threatening jobs and investor confidence.
"The Liberals spent four years selling Melbourne's skyline to the highest bidder, and now they want to play petty politics with a vital project that delivers safer streets, more trains and new homes," she said.
Ms Allan also took a swipe at the Greens, accusing the party of making a "complete mockery of their own manifesto to see more Victorians using public transport".
Glen Eira mayor Mary Delahunty​ said the council engaged experts to decide on the appropriate type of building for the area, and while she believed it would still be too high, the community now wanted certainty.
"It would be disappointing if we see this drag on any longer, and still have the same outcome. It is being used as a political football and that's not fair to the residents, they need to know what's going on in their neighbourhood," she said.
The development will have street-level retail, and office and apartments above the station that was revamped under the government's signature $6.9 billion level crossing removal project.
<www.theage.com.au/victoria/property-council-attacks-opposition-for-seeking-to-block-controversial-ormond-tower-20171114-gzkuqm.html>

Doubts grow over giant battery plan to cut blackout risk November 14, 2017
<www.theage.com.au/victoria/doubts-grow-over-giant-battery-plan-to-cut-blackout-risk-20171114-gzlafk.html>

There's only one winner from the West Gate Tunnel - and it isn't us November 14, 2017
Despite state government spin about the popularity of the West Gate Tunnel Project, I found surprisingly few supporters of the $6 billion scheme when attending the hearings on the environmental effects statement. I was initially neutral about the project, but after reading the statement and listening to many of the 500 local and municipal submitters and their experts presenting to the inquiry and advisory consultation, I now oppose it too.
What I and so many other residents discovered at the hearings – but the glossy advertising fails to convey – is that the project produces few benefits for communities in the inner west, and even fewer for the outer west.
video What is the West Gate Tunnel project? With a price tag of $5.5 billion and a promise to reduce congestion, the West Gate Tunnel project is an ambitious one. But does it stack up?
It has a number of significant disadvantages and hazards. These include increased air and noise pollution for nearby residents; local and arterial roads being increasingly congested by more trucks and 37,000 more cars daily; a lack of any public transport improvements; and the loss of amenity in adjacent existing and proposed parks and sports grounds.
Despite the project's massive public subsidy ($2 billion), many residents of the outer west in particular will be condemned to long daily commutes by car (less the eight minutes savings claimed by the project) for years more. Studies show that this lifestyle results in significant negative health impacts, and is far more expensive than providing public transport alternatives.
Illustration: Andrew Dyson.
Melbourne City Council, which opposed the project, heavily criticised the lack of transparency of the traffic modelling underpinning it, as did prominent transport planner William McDougall at a related Senate inquiry. Others raised the flawed community consultation and the projected increase in emissions that will be locked into our economy for decades. These all received unsatisfactory or hostile responses from the proponent.
So who benefits from this project?
Certainly it improves port access, a key project objective, but only for trucks, and only to Swanston Dock, north of the Yarra. Best practice internationally moves 50 per cent of containers by rail (it is currently 9 per cent here).
To make matters worse, port activities will increasingly shift to Webb Dock on the bay. By 2050, Swanston Dock will probably close and a second (main) port will already be established at Point Wilson. We might be connecting expensive tunnels to the wrong part of the port for a diminishing public benefit lasting barely 30 years.
An artist's impression of the proposed series of flyovers to be built as part of the West Gate Tunnel. CREDIT:VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
While the project does remove trucks from parts of the City of Maribyrnong, including streets in Yarraville, Kingsville and Footscray, it also pushes them onto streets in the City of Hobsons Bay, especially Millers and Blackshaws roads, truck bans notwithstanding. Beyond these changes to truck movements, according to many experts, other benefits claimed for the project are dubious at best.
The big beneficiary is Transurban. The new tunnel/elevated toll road is designed to pour 10,000 additional cars into the CBD daily via Spencer Street, to be tolled in the morning peak. The extension of the already highly profitable CityLink concession, if approved, allows Transurban to collect tolls for another 12 years to 2047. All CityLink users will pay for this unnecessary road for a very long time.
The proposed West Gate Tunnel as it cross the Maribyrnong River. CREDIT: VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
Alternatives to the project were tested but the results are hidden in the business case. Independent transport experts believe there is at least one obvious alternative to this project – called Melbourne Metro Extension, or MM2, by Infrastructure Victoria.
This tunnels under the Yarra from Newport to Fishermans Bend, providing passenger rail and a road and freight rail connection to Webb Dock. The passenger rail tunnel continues via Southern Cross station to interconnect with one of Melbourne Metro's new underground stations in the city, and joins existing rail lines through Clifton Hill. A high-frequency metro service could then operate to join the Werribee and Mernda lines, or a new line to Doncaster, areas presently underserviced by public transport.
Alternatives to the project were tested but the results are hidden in the business case. CREDIT:JASON SOUTH
As well as much better public transport services, the west would benefit from more attractive retail space, commercial office space, and social/affordable housing above or around stations, and the new employment created. It would also take more freight off the West Gate Bridge and onto rail well beyond 2050.
For these reasons the MM2 option must be investigated independently, its cost/benefits compared with the West Gate Tunnel Project, and the report released publicly, before a final decision is made.
While this is being done, the original West Gate Distributor ramps, which Labor took to the last election, could be built for a fraction of the cost, even with some community-inspired changes to the current design.
Of course, we also need frequent bus services throughout the west connecting to these trains. Buses are relatively easy to plan for, purchase and operate compared with rail infrastructure. Even so, if planning for MM2 were to start in 2018, it could be open by 2028 or earlier by utilising the equipment and expertise being assembled for Melbourne Metro.
Dr Pat Love is a resident of Newport in City of Hobsons Bay, and honorary senior fellow in the Transport, Health and Urban Design Research Hub at University of Melbourne.
RELATED ARTICLE An artist's impression of the proposed West Gate Tunnel as it crosses the Maribyrnong River.  Predicted West Gate Tunnel pollution seriously under-estimated, expert warns
<www.theage.com.au/comment/theres-only-one-winner-from-the-west-gate-tunnel--and-it-isnt-us-20171109-gzi6md.html>
* I exhort the Planning Minister not to approve the West Gate Tunnel Project immediately, but to explore the above alternative openly and transparently first.
* Build MM2 with doncaster rail now.
* All container movements out of the dock precinct should be by rail, as should most interstate transport. Better still, if a large slice of transport costs wasn't socialised as it is now we'd have more locally made stuff and less need for container movements.
* If anyone would like to know how poorly our State government is at infrastructure planning, they need to go no further than see the diabolical result for the Frankston interchange. For instance, why construct a bus lane that's only 25cm wider than a bus? There's also an abundance of room for pedestrians, but not for motor vehicles!!!
* The highly successful level crossing removal, seems to have escaped your notice, time to take the blinkers off.
* and yet the Eastern Freeway stops abruptly at Hoddle street, the Arc road has a red light at the end in Greensborough and Daniel posts on Facebook how good he is doing....
* this article is about a planned rd. there is also a planned road that fixes what you talk about. the point of your comment ?
* No, that road was cancelled, and the other one is being decided on.
* How can the Daniel Andrews sign any contracts without taken this to a state election? If he takes back Melbourne from the Greens promising this project he would have a mandate. The only winner in this project is Transurban. If Richard Wynne approves this project he will be remembered as the worst planning minister in history.
* because he went to the election to get a mandate to govern, and know he is. We don't need a postal survey on everything
* Andrews got a mandate NOT to build tollroads.
* Of course, it will benefit the new port of Melbourne operators. They bought it and want to increase its capacity and they want more trucks on the road. The Andrews government has been making us believe that it will benefit the community which is obviously false. There is so much obfuscation going on and the government is treating Victorians like fools. Then again in my opinion all politicians have no ethics. I feel like a fool having voted for this mob at the last election.
* A decision hasn't been made yet!
* I am one of those who both stands to benefit (fewer trucks on my route to town) and lose (Spencer Street clogging up) ... IF I drive. But I tend not to drive. I generally use public transport. Which is what many of those in the West would like to have access to. Personally, I'd like them to improve public transport throughout the West. Extend tram 82 to the city rather than stopping at Footscray. Extend the Flemington rail line through the West (going underground if needed) and use it as commuting line. etc ... There's loads they could do, if they could get the guts to do it. And given it's not just the outer West that is growing apace. The Arden Street precinct is about to explode the population in that area. The DOD land near Knifepoint will drop another 6,000 residences alongside streets already chockers with traffic going to/from Knifepoint, and serviced by 2 trams, but one that only goes between Moonee Ponds and Footscray. There’s LOADS they could do in preference to this road.
* The Age's campaign against the West Gate Tunnel has been obvious from the beginning, and it has continued to only print anti-Tunnel pieces. The inner west has long campaigned against trucks using residential streets as rat-run alternatives to proper highways. The extensive truck bans (which actually includes Blackshaws Rd, contrary to the author's claim) that accompany the WGT solve this problem, and move trucks back to roads that were designed for them. The result will be safer local streets and more efficient transport to and from the port.
* So you support Transurban controlling all the transport options for inner Melbourne. Their proposal is not about the inner communities of Melb transport needs but all about making piles of money.
* There was a similar project a few years ago which attracted article after article of scorn from every self appointed expert with an iPhone living in the inner north. Now we have another road project attracting the same criticism from the same subset of people, who would advocate for more truck bans on even more streets. They don’t care where the trucks go, as long as they don’t have to put up with them. It’s not that they don’t like the West Gate tunnel, or the EWL. They just hate roads. In my view, the West Gate Tunnel is a misguided solution. We DO need an alternative to the WGB, but we need a second cross-city connection more. Moving further into the 20th century we will not be able to jam more cars through the Burnley tunnel. A major freeway connecting the West Gate with the Eastern is the only solution, to balance the load of traffic and freight moving east/west. That would tick all the boxes even though it would cost a fortune.
* It would appear hat Transurban is the designer of Melbourne's road network?
* Yes. They have been since the 1990s. They are now pushing for North East Link Option A so they can toll the holy grail that is the Eastern Freeway, and spin it as an 'upgrade'
* Dear Dr Love, Your points made here are coherent, well-argued and logical. Therefore, my Government reject them all outright and ask that you refrain from speaking publicly again. As a result of your intelligence, you will never be called on to consult for the Andrews Government because you might tell us what we don't want to hear. Signed, Comrade Andrews.
* The plan is madness It fails to address why we need to modify the transport hub, ie where is what going and why. I totally understand inner west residents , and business, having an issue, but building this monolith over Footscray road and totally demolishing the CBD end is loonie. It reeks of short term planning, Shift the port, [long term] go back to rail delivering to transport hubs on the fringe of the city Twenty years ago there was just such a design, and crossing under the river linking the Geelong road, rail upgrades and a plan to move ALL containers away from the inner areas to pick stations as far away as fifty km.  Has there been a statement that in 10 years most new container ships will not fit under the Westgate.  We have fools in charge
* this is a well thought out plan, deliberate and targetted perfectly. It's ultimate winners were the target in the first place and they've hit the bullseye. What were you expecting?

Transport operators out of step with emissions targets July 18, 2020
Transport's biggest polluters including Metro Trains, VLine and Toll have been revealed to have outdated emissions reductions targets that undermine the state's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
It comes as the Andrews government is poised to announce its first-ever transport emissions targets in early August, with climate action groups pushing for a “wholesale shift” in the sector's energy use.
Cars contribute 50 per cent of transport emissions.CREDIT:FAIRFAX MEDIA
Transport emissions are growing faster than in any other sector since 1990 in the face of economic growth and urbanisation.
The sector is the second largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria, making up a fifth of the state’s total emissions.
Road-based transport (cars, trucks and buses) that still largely depend on fossil fuels is the key problem, accounting for 90 per cent of all transport emissions.
But public transport operators are also among the country’s biggest transport emitters, the first comprehensive report tracking Australian transport emissions reveals.
About 70 per cent of Australia’s major transport operators including Metro Trains, Keolis Australia, V/Line and Transdev have policies that are out of step with Victoria’s net zero emissions goal by 2050, the ClimateWorks report shows.
Metro Trains was listed as Victoria’s biggest public transport emitter, but was still behind Sydney Trains. Metro was followed by Keolis Australia (which operates Melbourne's trams), V/Line and Transdev. None of these operators have up-to-date climate policies.
Qantas, which was named in the analysis as the country's biggest transport emitter, was the only company to commit to the target, which is considered a key element of the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce global temperatures to well below 2 degrees.
Freight and logistics companies Aurizon, Toll and Linfox were listed as major emitters that have outmoded climate targets.
ClimateWorks' senior project manager Michael Li said large public transport and government vehicle fleets provided ample opportunity to reduce emissions which would send a signal to vehicle and component manufacturers and battery suppliers.
“There’s an opportunity for the public transport operators to use that scale and fleet purchasing power to stimulate the demand for low vehicle emissions in Australia.”
In a briefing paper submitted to government ahead of the state releasing its delayed 2025 and 2030 emissions targets, Environment Victoria has called for an end to the state's love affair with cars, which contribute to half of all transport emissions.
“That’s not a small slice of the pie,” campaigns manager Nicholas Aberle said in calling for a "wholesale shift" in transport's energy use.
A major investment in public transport was needed to encourage people to use trains, trams and buses over the construction of major highways that lock Melbourne in to a dependence on cars, he said.
But the government and public transport operators must work together to lower public transport emissions, Mr Aberle said.
"Metro Trains could be running on 100 per cent renewable energy through these power purchase agreements in the same way that our trams are.
"It would be great to see the government require this in the next round of tenders."
Australia's road vehicles make up one of the most energy-intensive fleets in the world (45 per cent higher than Europe), but the country is the only one of six in the OECD that does not regulate vehicle emissions.
This was desperately needed Mr Aberle said, and would not only improve the environment but save Victorians money on fuel.
A congestion charge for cars entering the city should be considered as well as incentives for people to buy electric vehicles such as the removal of car registration and priority lanes on major highways, he said.
A state government spokeswoman said the transport emissions reduction pledges would "set an ambitious roadmap to reduce emissions across the transport sector".
"The Metro Tunnel, Airport Rail and the Suburban Rail Loop will run more trains than Victoria has ever seen – taking cars off our roads and helping Victorians get where they need to go."
A Metro Trains spokesman said the company was looking at improving the efficiency of trains, buildings and stations.
"Metro continues to roll out initiatives to drive down energy use and water consumption, divert waste from landfill, protect native flora and fauna, and support a more accessible network for Melbourne."
A VLine spokesman said the agency aimed to keep emissions below a 2017-18 baseline, with more than 80 per cent of V/Line's emissions coming from its diesel operated trains.
"VLine supports the Victorian Government's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 target and is taking a number of steps to reduce emissions while continuing to run a full timetable for passengers across Victoria."
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a dramatic 36 per cent drop in global emissions, which has been primarily triggered by the low number of vehicles on the road, the CSIRO found.
Aviation fuel emissions in Australia fell by 39 per cent from January to May this year, according to environmental consultancy Ndevr.
RELATED ARTICLE Beijing is approving plans for new coal-fired power plants at the fastest rate since 2015.  Australia is about to blow a once-in-a-generation opportunity
<www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/transport-operators-out-of-step-with-emissions-targets-20200718-p55d90.html>

NSW warns of 'inherent risk' on public transport as 18 coronavirus cases detected July 19, 2020
NSW residents are being urged to avoid non-essential travel and social gatherings after 18 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Sunday, including infections linked to an inner city restaurant and a gym in Sydney's west.
As thousands of students prepare to return to school on Monday, Transport Minister Andrew Constance warned there is a risk of travelling on public transport amid a rising number of cases linked to community transmission.
"The state's at a critical juncture. There is no room for complacency, in fact, complacency in the middle of this pandemic can kill," he said.
NSW Health's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Jeremy McAnulty, called on residents to" redouble their efforts to stop the virus spreading" while "cases resulting from community transmission continue to be reported".
"People are urged to avoid non-essential travel and gatherings. Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings," Dr McAnulty said.
Mr Constance urged people to consider commuting in different ways, encouraging people to work from home or "retime their days" if they had to travel to their workplace.
He warned people to be "very mindful of the inherent risk" associated with taking public transport and said walking or cycling could be better options.
...Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced it would be mandatory to wear a mask or face covering in Melbourne from Wednesday, as the state recorded 363 new cases of coronavirus and three deaths on Sunday.
Mr Constance said NSW would "hopefully not" need to make face masks mandatory. He said the government would be guided by the health advice.
RELATED ARTICLE Paul Zimmet, prof of diabetics at Monash University walks around his neighbourhood in Toorak encouraging social distancing and mask use. As it happened: Victoria sees COVID-19 spike continue with 363 new cases and three more deaths, NSW advises against non-essential travel, Australia death toll at 122
<www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-warns-of-inherent-risk-on-public-transport-as-18-coronavirus-cases-detected-20200719-p55ddw.html>
* As masks reduce infections and thus permit more economic activity, why would a Government Minister hope that people don't wear them?
* No room for complacency? Dispairingly, that and willful ignorance seem to be the most visible characteristics of an increasing portion of the population. When it comes to the virus, ALL lives matter not just our own. Also as long as the state government hides behind the characterization of peoples' behaviour as a "personal decision" we are not going to see the suppression we are aiming for.
* make it mandatory to wear masks and also mandatory that we have a transport minister that lives in the city and not some country town where a traffic jam is irrelevant and no trains.
* It's a bit rich for Andrew Constance to urge NSW residents to do anything. Did he urge Gladys Berejiklian to slow down her unseemly haste whipping through the "3 step framework"? Did he urge Gladys to close the Victorian border 3 weeks ago when Blind Freddy and his brown dog could see what was on the cards (not to mention some with actual expertise and knowledge who urged it in articles in this newspaper at the time)? Has he urged Gladys Berejiklian to admit her mistakes and say "sorry"?
* Why would residents of NSW make the effort when Glady Berejiklian won't take the required basic steps to keep us safe. She is the most negligent politician of my lifetime.
* If masks are made compulsory by government, it is inherently obligatory for government to supply them.
* Conflicting messages on wearing face masks from government figures. Face masks should be mandatory in all states until this pandemic is over.
* Seems like an awful waste of a non-recyclable item.
* Reusable cloth ones are readily available online.
* Masks mandatory on ALL public transport. No mask, no ride. Simple
* A rational and reasonable requirement in countries around the globe - but not in NSW. Why on earth not???
With 40% of active cases asymptomatic, no public transport commuter (or the poor driver) can do anything about avoiding exposure. Not to mandate masks on public transport or even in public places is a public health failure especially now there is solid international research showing their effectiveness.
* Complacency....stir in stupidity and add some good old Aussie ignorant behaviour. And what do we get? Look around.
* We are in no man’s land again. Being asked to avoid non essential gatherings and non essential travel, but not mandated. Being reminded about risks of public transport. But no rules being laid down. But many people don’t have the choice - public transport is the only option to get to work, and their employer requires them on site. What’s essential vs non-essential? Is it the same as lockdown conditions - food, healthcare, work, education, exercise? What about taking kids to indoor sport which we’ve only JUST re-established. It’s exercise but it is a non-essential gathering? I can make judgment calls on this for my own family, but mine will be different from someone else’s. When the govt “urges” but doesn’t mandate, everyone fills in the blanks for themselves, and confusion reigns.
* Rather “ironic” warning to avoid public transport. Track maintenance on North Shore rail line on weekend forced people onto crowded buses where social distancing was neither observed nor enforced. Not enough buses to replace trains: it’s not possible, therefore all non-urgent track maintenance should be deferred.
* All track maintenance is essential. Poorly maintained rail infrastructure is more deadly than a pandemic.
* That would be the answer to a question about whether NSW is at risk of a major outbreak entailing multiple people ending up in hospital, ICU or the morgue. Not a questions about compulsory mask wearing, which would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience, and beneficial to preventing such a calamity
* Did my weekly shop at 11am today (with a mask on) and the shops were packed, a lot of old people too.
* NSW's Deputy CMO says "to avoid non-essential travel and gatherings. Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings," . As the Government says they are always following the latest health advice why isn't Gladys placing more restrictions on these establishments to make this happen?!!!
* Just wondering what the community transmission cases magic number is before the NSW Govt deems it necessary to place Sydney and NSW into lockdown. Surely a preemptive strike is in order right now before we have a virus bushfire on our hands like Victoria does. At the beginning of this pandemic we were told every day counts as the virus numbers can explode geometrically. Surely that is what the NSW Govt should be taking heed of now that we have community transmission happening in a relatively opened up economy.
* What is the problem with making masks compulsory?
* I am a regular Train Commuter & always travel near the Train Guards compartment for my peace of mind. I am left wondering if Sydney Trains has made Facial Masks available to their Train Guards, Station Staff & Cleaners? These Front-line employee’s have worked right through this pandemic. With Coronavirus now spreading through Community Transmissions these essential front-line employee’s need to be protected. If a cluster was found in Sydney Trains & they were closed down the NSW State Government would surely have to consider shutting everything down because the roads would be absolutely gridlocked. The last Train Strike proved that!
* Well maybe they should have thought about this before they crammed Australia with thousands of overseas students and temporary visa holders - many of who live in crammed housing and live hand to mouth in tenuous jobs.
* “Mr Constance said NSW would "hopefully not" need to make face masks mandatory. He said the government would be guided by the health advice.“ They are delaying the inevitable, “silent transmission” needs masks to slow it down. NSW is just “chasing our tail“ with cases, hoping for a slow down of spread of clusters.
* My office job can be done from home, however my boss insists that I continue to come to the office. His thinking is that a person isn’t working unless he can see them working...it’s a about bums on seats rather than outcomes. He can’t  handle working from home and is forcing this on his subordinates. HR is too intimidated to say anything to him. Also I have an elderly person, >80 yrs, living at home. What to do?
* I can relate. I worked for two weeks at home and was called to return to work in the office, as I was not within screaming distance of the boss. I was told I could drive to work but not once did management offered to pay for parking.  Never mind that I was more productive at home. To this day I cannot understand the logic.
* Management struggle to macro manage. My role too, can be beautifully done from home but the robots demand presence. They’ve cut my salary by almost half, so loyalty is diminishing.
* Why doesn't the State Government tell Councils like CoS that they have to remove parking time limits until this is over thereby encouraging more commuters to drive.
* Gridlock would probably ensue, that's why. Walk, cycle, work from home.
* No point asking the workers to avoid public transport, they got no choice. Need to tell companies to stop opening their offices again when people can work from home.
* So true! How are workers who still hold jobs, supposed to resist the ‘come back to the office’ mandate? Say no, and risk the sack? State government, step up!
* More Councils need to put in Popup cycleways to work centres. . Give the workers more choice. Might lead to a fitter society too.

‘Going broke’: Metro Trains, Yarra Trams need more money
Sun.19.7.20 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'
MELBOURNE’S rail operators could ask the government for more money by the end of the year as extended lockdowns cut their income.
The Sunday Herald Sun believes the return of movement restrictions has sparked fresh financial concerns at Yarra Trams and Metro Trains, and one source said “they’re telling people they’re going broke again”.
In May, both companies received up to $20 million in State Government support as they kept full timetables but patronage plummeted.
The loss of revenue was so severe that they were said to be ready to hand back the keys to the business if a solution was not found.
The companies have not asked for a second round of stimulus payments but the loss of up to a million dollars a week in revenue has sparked talk that they will need more support by the end of the year.
Passenger numbers are expected to remain close to 10 per cent of normal until at least September and there are longterm concerns that COVID-19 will keep many people away from public transport until a vaccine is found.
A Yarra Trams spokesman said the previous financial support package had provided certainty during the pandemic.
“Yarra Trams has not been immune to the effects of coronavirus, and we are grateful for the support we have received from the State Government,” he said.
A Metro spokesman said the company employed more than 6200 people, who ensured essential workers and others could go to work, shop or seek medical help.
“The Victorian Government deserves credit for supporting jobs, keeping public transport running and adding additional services for those who rely on them,” he said.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the network helped move frontline workers: “We’re continuing to work with our operators to support the thousands of Victorians who work across the network,” he said.