Michael Bell
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xtrackka.bsky.social
Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
Transport and optimism
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
A #Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project park bench story in 4 pictures.
December 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
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
There are some people that say local council is all about roads, rates & rubbish. They’re wrong…. local council is all about community!
#CarolsByKingston
December 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
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...
‘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
Infrastructure cost blowouts - not a uniquely Victorian problem.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
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!
December 3, 2025 at 1:02 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.
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 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.
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 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?
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 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.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
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...
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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.
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 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.
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
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
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
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
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!
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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 🦗…
November 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
🔥 🔥 Mentone TSG on fire 🔥 🔥
Just an accident, I’m sure.
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
When reality doesn’t match the render.
Lowe Living’s Kallara House, Parkdale.
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Parkdale’s first ever tower crane 🏗️. Lowe Living’s Elanora Place development.
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM