Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
Transport and optimism
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Counting down the minutes until Pauline Hansen turns this moment into a political message of division and hatred in an ugly attempt to recruit voters.
December 15, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Counting down the minutes until Pauline Hansen turns this moment into a political message of division and hatred in an ugly attempt to recruit voters.
There are some people that say local council is all about roads, rates & rubbish. They’re wrong…. local council is all about community!
#CarolsByKingston
#CarolsByKingston
December 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
There are some people that say local council is all about roads, rates & rubbish. They’re wrong…. local council is all about community!
#CarolsByKingston
#CarolsByKingston
Is Arden Station Melbourne’s first ever high-capacity public transport service in a yet-to-be-developed urban setting?
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
‘Out of the station and into a paddock’: Arden station is open, so where’s the suburb?
Arden is meant to be the latest attempt to turn a patch of gritty industrial land into a thriving suburb. But the precinct faces flood risks and a 30-year build-out.
www.theage.com.au
December 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Is Arden Station Melbourne’s first ever high-capacity public transport service in a yet-to-be-developed urban setting?
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
December 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The presence of a bus stop, tram or train line alone is not sufficient justification for high density, car-free residential developments. The government must commit to increasing public transport service frequency and hours of coverage, for this policy to be successful. More bus/tram/train services!
The Victorian government vows to overhaul "outdated" car parking requirements for new residential developments in areas that are well-serviced by public transport.
Allan government targets car parking rules in bid to build more homes
The Victorian government vows to overhaul "outdated" car parking requirements for new residential developments in areas that are well-serviced by public transport.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The presence of a bus stop, tram or train line alone is not sufficient justification for high density, car-free residential developments. The government must commit to increasing public transport service frequency and hours of coverage, for this policy to be successful. More bus/tram/train services!
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
Firefighters slammed for 'potentially deadly' incident at Metro Tunnel
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
www.abc.net.au
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.
One of 2 beautiful bronze ‘Windsong’ statues, by Anne Ross, was chopped and stolen from #Parkdale on Wednesday night 12th November. Mindless and pointless, as the scrap metal value is minimal. Hope the second one remains safe.
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
One of 2 beautiful bronze ‘Windsong’ statues, by Anne Ross, was chopped and stolen from #Parkdale on Wednesday night 12th November. Mindless and pointless, as the scrap metal value is minimal. Hope the second one remains safe.
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/leve...
So now the Liberal National Coalition alternative government of Australia has no plan to reduce CO2 emissions AND no plan for cheaper energy.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
So now the Liberal National Coalition alternative government of Australia has no plan to reduce CO2 emissions AND no plan for cheaper energy.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
And when you do a route search on the Transport Vic website, the route maps they provide are godawful. Dots on a page, with route lines missing. Significant points-of-interest (such as stations) unlabelled. Do better.
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
And when you do a route search on the Transport Vic website, the route maps they provide are godawful. Dots on a page, with route lines missing. Significant points-of-interest (such as stations) unlabelled. Do better.
Amazing that buss are being added and enhanced in areas of need. But surely the Department can afford to provide graphics/maps with these announcements. Text-only route descriptions might be how the operator defines them, but they're meaningless to people that actually use them. tinyurl.com/nbk58mh9
More buses, more often for the outer west
tinyurl.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Amazing that buss are being added and enhanced in areas of need. But surely the Department can afford to provide graphics/maps with these announcements. Text-only route descriptions might be how the operator defines them, but they're meaningless to people that actually use them. tinyurl.com/nbk58mh9
As a property (mortgaged) owner, I sit in one camp. But as a parent of young adults facing the impossibility of buying first homes, I sit in the other camp. How does Australia break this conundrum?
Hand on heart, how expensive do YOU want housing to be? The answer depends on who you are (homeowner, renter, investor, banker, politician, concerned citizen, foster child etc.) and how much you put your own concerns above the collective concerns: buff.ly/9fDUTpW
How expensive do you want housing to be?
The real question isn’t whether house prices in Australia will keep on rising – it’s whether we want them to.
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
As a property (mortgaged) owner, I sit in one camp. But as a parent of young adults facing the impossibility of buying first homes, I sit in the other camp. How does Australia break this conundrum?
Lots of news-talk today about some Sydney radio talk host that no-one outside of that city knows or cares about.
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Lots of news-talk today about some Sydney radio talk host that no-one outside of that city knows or cares about.
The end of an era, last ever feed at Montezumas #Parkdale last night before they pack up and relocate to Hampton.
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The end of an era, last ever feed at Montezumas #Parkdale last night before they pack up and relocate to Hampton.
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
But, the good news is a bigger, better #Bocconcino’s Woodfired Pizza is moving into the space!
VIC Premier Jacinta Allan visited China for 5 days in September, and copped a barrage of criticism in the media and personal attacks in the socials.
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
November 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
VIC Premier Jacinta Allan visited China for 5 days in September, and copped a barrage of criticism in the media and personal attacks in the socials.
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
VIC Opposition Leader Brad Battin has been visiting China for the past 5 days, and 🦗crickets 🦗…
🔥 🔥 Mentone TSG on fire 🔥 🔥
Just an accident, I’m sure.
Just an accident, I’m sure.
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
🔥 🔥 Mentone TSG on fire 🔥 🔥
Just an accident, I’m sure.
Just an accident, I’m sure.
When reality doesn’t match the render.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
When reality doesn’t match the render.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
Parkdale’s first ever tower crane 🏗️. Lowe Living’s Elanora Place development.
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Parkdale’s first ever tower crane 🏗️. Lowe Living’s Elanora Place development.