Sign in

Michael Bell

@xtrackka.bsky.social
160 followers 201 following 672 posts

Transport and optimism Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands

PostsRepliesMedia
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
X’trapolis 2 Set 8103-8503 on test, Frankston line passing through Malvern Station
110
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Oh no, won’t someone think of the firearms businesses…
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I quite liked Bailey Smith’s blue and black Brownlow suit. Or was it white and gold?
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Did you know the practice of using fire to burn combustible matter in controlled circumstances with the goal of reducing the risk of uncontrolled fire at a later date, is known by different names in each state of Australia?
140
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Domain.com.au still reporting test data on their live auction results prod site 🤷‍♂️
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
There are no Opal readers on Sydney Ferries. They’re on the wharf.
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
You know that oft quoted objection to EVs: “but how will it tow my caravan, around Australia, on a trip I do once, ever?” Surely EV and caravan designs will evolve such that the caravan will supply power to the towing vehicle? Active power hitch and a small static dino-fuelled generator in the van.
100
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I think I just vomited a little bit
020
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
“Applehead Deli” opened this week in the old Mentone Station. A cafe/bar collab by the people who run the successful popular Applehead Deli Mentone and Mates Bar Mordialloc. Breakky menu & coffee today were great, service flawless, seating plentiful. They’ll do well. maps.app.goo.gl/zGtSjHPBeTDf...
030
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This business seems to have used quality, reputable brand e-bikes - like Amp Bros Chubby, Vallkree, NCM and MURF. I wonder what they did wrong? Mixed up the chargers maybe?
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Maroochydore’s “new” city centre has an underground automated waste collection system, the only one in Australia. Intended to reduce the need for waste collection trucks, particularly services for large apartment and commercial sites. Seems to work ok. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-c...
293
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
The rental market is tight on the Sunshine Coast, and letting agents have taken to using bait-pricing to make their properties appear lower in searches. This tactic is prohibited in VIC, and should be prohibited everywhere. Ping @purplepingers.bsky.social
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Share the last photo of the sky from your camera roll.
110
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Replaced again (16 Aug26)
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“Windsong” Two beautiful bronze sculptures by Anne Ross, installed in the plaza under the new Parkdale Station, December 2024
100
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Um, what? It’s a 1% levy based on the ticket price of a trip. I don’t know who you think is spending $6000 a week on public transport fares? The maximum weekly cost right now for travelling every day is ($5.70x5)+($4x2)=$36.50, and the ‘secret 1% tax’ included in that would be 36.5 cents.
021
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Can almost guarantee that the thing Carroll is planning to cancel is the thing that will make #SRL useful: the ability to easily, seamlessly transfer between lines at interchange stations. If he does cancel this, he may as well cancel the whole thing.
130
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Can’t let the VIC opposition’s proposals go without comment. The 2 highlighted changes would result in an economic, environmental and energy disaster for the state. Irresponsibility destructive.
393
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Premier & Planning Minister announce new suburb for 36,000 residents, and the best they can deliver in equitable public transport is “bus capable roads”? This shit is so friggin predictably unsatisfactory. 12 years in government and they’ve learned nothing. www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-suburb-m...
100
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
What’s up at Parkers Rd roundabout pedestrian crossing? It was painted as a zebra crossing during the Level Crossing Removal project, and Pedestrian Crossing signs installed. The signs are still there, but the paint has been ground off. Conflict now ensues: is it a pedestrian crossing or is it not?
110
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Incredibly, after more than 8 months of being “off”, the Shared Use Path lights south of Parkdale Station are back “on”! #ParkdaleLXR
020
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
“Strategic Cycling Corridors (SCC) are important transport routes for cycling and are a subset of the Principal Bicycle Network (PBN).” But apparently, not THAT important. These 2 sites are 900m apart. Parkdale & Mordialloc LXR Projects both fell short of building an integrated cycling connection.
123
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
“We’re letting politicians sell the future so they can get reelected, and that’s what they’re doing. The way they spend, they spend money to buy votes, that’s what they’re doing do. And it really works.” I think you might be onto something #Hughesy 🤔
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
So this is the new ‘winter’ in #Melbourne. I don’t recognise it. And I’m worried for what summer will be like.
060
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Ok, who are these people aligned with? They’re spending big bucks on prime time Sunday evening TVCs.
201
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
What happened to cause development to be abandoned at Altera, 70-72 Cubitt St, Cremorne? It features some beautiful precast and off-form concrete elements, but construction stopped after it topped out. www.ausprivate.com.au/static/uploa...
100
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Don’t you have to have PR and live lawfully in Australia for 4 years before applying to become a citizen? This does seem like ministerial sponsored queue jumping when there are thousands of others doing the legally required time.
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
#TheBlock Contestants: don’t be choosing House 1, 2 or 3, as anyone with half a brain can see their bay and city views are temporary. They’ll be obscured by future new builds on sites (currently for sale) where the on-site Block Shed is currently located.
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Did RFK Jnr succeed in Making America Healthy Again? It’s hard to tell.
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Good start, but if they really want to improve the onboard experience, they’d sell the limit overhead luggage space in labelled allocations, rather than allowing the customer fight they currently encourage. And they’d make the first 20kg of checked luggage cost-free.
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
The Comm Games happened, Aus dominated, and no-one in Aus noticed. I think it’s because we really only care about sport when we’re the underdog challenger, the feisty outsider, the scrappy David to global Goliaths. Think America's Cup 83, Freeman 00, Bradbury 02, Socceroos 06, Matildas 23.
110
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Libertarian MP David Limbrick: “Nobody in my electorate is pining for a train trip from Cheltenham to Box Hill,” said Limbrick, who represents the south-east electorate where the SRL begins. Nobody hey? For a libertarian, he seems very liberal with facts. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Ben Carroll will not rule out redirecting Suburban Rail Loop funds to other projects
New Victorian premier also considering ‘sensible changes’ to laws that would enshrine right to work from home two days a week
120
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Dance for me…
141
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Louder than expected, but am certainly enjoying my newly vaccinated/infiltrated/indoctrinated status.
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
“We’re widening the Kwinana Freeway to bust congestion” LOL share.google/tjmg1kZTD5YQ...
share.google
520 reactions · 19 shares | We’re widening the Kwinana Freeway to bust congestion in Perth’s south. 🚘 The upgrade between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road will reduce congestion, improve safety and help more than 100,000 drivers get to work, school and home faster every day. Construction is set to begin early next year, supporting more than 4,000 local jobs and backing local businesses. It’s all part of our plan to deliver quality infrastructure for all West Aussies. | Roger Cook
We’re widening the Kwinana Freeway to bust congestion in Perth’s south. 🚘 The upgrade between Roe Highway and Safety Bay Road will reduce congestion, improve safety and help more than 100,000...
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
“The big problem for us with having batteries is that there is alcohol on site. Flammability's always a problem. Insurance companies just don't like the fact that you're storing electricity," Mr Neale said. Hmm, can’t remember the last time a mash tun, brew kettle or fermenting vessel caught fire.
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Is USA Healthy Again yet? Hard to tell.
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Connection to flood related nutrients seems tenuous, given how far apart in time the events occurred. A view echoed by others in The Monthly’s “The Fatal Shore” article Dec25-Jan26: www.themonthly.com.au/december-202...
themonthly.com.au
The fatal shore
The search for a scientific explanation for South Australia’s unprecedented algal bloom – which decimated marine life, perhaps irreparably – is being frustrated by a political desire for easy answers
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Malinauskas today at Laborfest: “If you can’t govern your dog, you can’t govern your country”? It’s not even a very good line. Who wants to be governed? A better line would’ve been: “If you can’t treat your dog with decency, how can you treat your country with decency”?
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Frankston line city-bound train just inundated by voters that had to abandon their Metro-tunnel bound train at Caulfield due to a disruption… Rainbow Board not yet showing a disruption.
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
August will be 2 years since the new elevated #Parkdale Station opened, and some maintenance is due. Rust and dripping tap. I wonder if there is a #ParkdaleLXR warranty period?
130
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Steel train stuck at #Parkdale due to incident today (now resolved).
020
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
My view of the current ‘data centre boom’ FWIW… it is a necessary precursor to further advancements in chip design. The pressures created by the ‘boom’ will accelerate such significant chip improvements that the result will negate the need for much of the projected data centre pipeline. #DataCentres
100
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Decades ago Melbourne weather presenters told us about the ‘inversion layer’ phenomenon that would reliably cloak Melbourne winter days in a layer of fog until mid-morning when it would ‘burn away’ to reveal sunshine. Was that just bullshit and was it just air pollution that we no longer have?
000
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Bike repair tools stolen again. They lasted a year this time # ParkdaleLXR
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Development plans for an apartment building adjacent to the former #Mentone Station have been advertised. www.heritage.vic.gov.au/protecting-o...
010
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
It’s ludicrous to defend such blatant misuse of the 000 system. Following the 2023 Optus outage, the industry monitors and tests for 000 availability. Opposition Senator, and Shadow Minister for Communications, doesn’t need to do it and should know better.
110
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
V/line not having a great day, due to Telstra mobile mobile network outage
161
Michael Bell @xtrackka.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
What’s this? Spotted at BP Pulse Caroline Springs on the 300kW charger. @sydneyev.bsky.social
110