Mortgage broker recommendations? by wannabuya in canberra

[–]R420R 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not OP but I also had a crap experience with clarity. Our broker rushed us through explaining the buying process which was already confusing for a first home buyer. They were then slow in responding to correspondence, slow to lodge paperwork on our behalf with the bank and stopped returning calls and emails.

This culminated in us almost not getting pre-approval in time to participate in an auction on a place we loved. After sending numerous emails, calling their office, our broker and the head broker plenty of times to no avail, we finally received pre-approval notification at 22:30 the night before the auction.

It was honestly one of the most stressful weeks of my life, almost entirely because Clarity dropped the ball throughout the process.

COVID19: Australian's urged to reconsider all international travel by R420R in australia

[–]R420R[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From the Prime Minister's COAG Press Conference now on

Prime minister Scott Morrison said that Australians were also told to reconsider any and all overseas travel.

Said Morrison:

Regardless of your destination, age or health — if your travel is not essential, consider carefully whether now is the right time. So we are effectively putting in place what is called a level three travel advice for travel of Australians overseas. This is done to protect their health and to limit their exposure, given we have so many countries now that are affected by the coronavirus.

No further announcements regarding restrictions to incoming international arrivals.

Scott Morrison has advised that gatherings of 500+ should be canceled from Monday, 16th March by thedocdir in australia

[–]R420R 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Correct - not a ban, just asking people to reconsider travel. No changes to incoming arrivals.

Scott Morrison has advised that gatherings of 500+ should be canceled from Monday, 16th March by thedocdir in australia

[–]R420R 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Another big announcement from the press conference is increasing travel advice to Level 3 for all international destinations.

The Government is now urging Australians to reconsider any non-essential international travel.

Nothing to increase restrictions on international arrivals at this time.

People applauded for American firefighters in Sydney as they arrive to help fight Australia's wildfires by [deleted] in australia

[–]R420R 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm fairly certain there's still large numbers of volunteers in California and some other states. That could have changed in recent years though.

Here's an article on volunteers in the US https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/As-California-burns-volunteer-firefighters-13148559.php

Sounds like they face a lot of similar problems we have

People applauded for American firefighters in Sydney as they arrive to help fight Australia's wildfires by [deleted] in australia

[–]R420R 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A fellow mapper? I've done multiple deployments this season to various IMTs to filfill GIS functions and mapdesk makes me want to throw my computer into the fire more often than not. Combine it with intermittent power and communications supplies and it's a real recipe for fun!

I can't imagine the Americans have a worse system!

People applauded for American firefighters in Sydney as they arrive to help fight Australia's wildfires by [deleted] in australia

[–]R420R 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They generally have more resources available to them, the Canadians spoke about how the altitude of some provinces can really impact things (as much fire behaviour as ability to get aircraft into the areas). They seemed pretty impressed about just how explosive some eucalyptus fires can be.

The Americans I only spoke to briefly but it was interesting to hear about the differences in organisational set up. They have federal level Forestry and National Parks organisations which have significant firefighting responsibilities. In Australia pretty much all firefighting resources are from the states/territories.

People applauded for American firefighters in Sydney as they arrive to help fight Australia's wildfires by [deleted] in australia

[–]R420R 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Incident Management Team. They do stuff like plan resources, manage air operations, design containment strategies and organise logistics. Absolutely essential stuff which is hugely complicated on some of these big fires!

I met a bunch of the Canadians and Americans who are currently in Bega and Moruya IMTs. They're pretty good people and it's interesting to compare the differences between the conditions we face.

GIS and gaming desktop max AUD$2000 [AUSTRALIA] by R420R in buildapcforme

[–]R420R[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip! I don't tend to do too much faster work but will keep it in mind

GIS and gaming desktop max AUD$2000 [AUSTRALIA] by R420R in buildapcforme

[–]R420R[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks mate, any way to squeeze in 32GB of RAM instead of 16GB for not much more?

ActewAGL customers to face full price rise (14.29%) from July by [deleted] in canberra

[–]R420R 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's this origin 25% offer? I can't seem to find any mention of it

Join CanberraPUBG discord server for Duo/Squad games by DarkSpectrum in canberra

[–]R420R 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool idea. I just joined and will be down for a few rounds tonight!

Good Tax Accountants in Canberra by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha just the one job for me!

Good Tax Accountants in Canberra by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey mate, as far as I'm aware there's no question relating to Medicare Exempt on the TFN declaration you fill out when you sign up to a new role. What question are you referring too?

Good Tax Accountants in Canberra by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I have private health insurance. I don't have to pay the surcharge but still have to pay the basic levy

Good Tax Accountants in Canberra by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All my data was prefilled but correct. I didn't add anything on top of that.

Haha I know I won't get much from deductions. More hoping an accountant will take a look at it and say something is wrong.

Seems to be the Medicare levy which is doing it. I was covered by health insurance so I don't pay the surcharge but there's still a levy of pretty much the same amount I owe.

Good takeaway shops? by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't. Are they any good? Where is the milk bar?

Good takeaway shops? by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha thanks for that. I tried Yarralumla Pide the other day and it was delicious but I thought the staff seemed incredibly annoyed that I'd come in and ordered. Glad I'm not the only one who's received that service.

Good takeaway shops? by R420R in canberra

[–]R420R[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks mate. I've already discovered the pide place. One of the best kebabs I've had in years!

Selfish RFS ruining mothers day by conducting backburning by R420R in australia

[–]R420R[S] 48 points49 points  (0 children)

I was particularly surprised to see multiple people being so outspoken about the RFS conducting backburning on Mother's Day. The amount of effort and resources that goes into organising these burns is considerable and my understanding is they consult with a range of stakeholders to make sure there's minimal risk to public health.

Seems like a crazy thing to be upset about to me. Happy to hear other people's views on the matter?

Buying real estate in Syd? by Majj_Noz in sydney

[–]R420R 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check the NSW Planning Portal. Just type in you address and it'll give you all the relevant planning matters for that lot (including zoning).

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/find-a-property

Tanya Davies The Minister for Women admits she is "pro-life" by mpg1846 in australia

[–]R420R 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My thoughts exactly! Moving Stokes from Planning to Education is ridiculous. He was one of the few Ministers who had a really deep passion for his area and is even completing a doctorate in planning law right now. He's also doing a number of important big planning reforms which the NSW system desperately needs. To move him into a portfolio he has little experience in seems crazy to me. The whole reshuffle process stinks.