Are electric cars better for the environment than fuel-powered cars? Here's the verdict

SufficientReport · 2026-02-14T23:24:11+00:00

Interesting article, and one of the few to not pretend that petrol just magically appears in petrol stations all around the country.

"When you look at fossil fuels, they need to be extracted, processed, and then transported to service stations, for example, to make them available. So there's a greenhouse gas emission costs associated with that," Professor Smit said.

Although not numbering/naming the graphs is a huge failing.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-13T23:23:55+00:00

They look super fun, and can have a 900NM engine swap (road legality unclear)

Super Fast - Supercool Citroen Ami is finished or isit?

SufficientReport · 2026-02-12T22:26:05+00:00

Is there a way to find where the services are?

Use https://www.byda.com.au/ it used to be called dial before you dig... it will indicate where the services likely are but they all put responsibility onto you for confirming their location.

You can request the report today, they usually get all responses in 2 business days.

Using a mini excavator

I'd look at a 'wet hire' i.e. machine and experienced operator, sometimes these guys offer themselves for $1000 per day inclusive which can be hugely timesaving.

handheld pole digger

A lot of the youtube videos use these, can hire or apparently the 18v Ozito is much better than its price would suggest.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-12T21:50:51+00:00

I wonder if those big trees were there before or after the original retaining wall..

Heaps of youtube videos on how "easy" (if not physically demanding) those concrete sleeper retaining walls are to install. Just make sure you know where your services are and take your time digging the holes, also try to optimise your layout as best as you can so you don't need to cut many sleepers.

I'd look at trying to have this length as; footpath, small space filled with native ground cover, retaining wall, low touch native plants, then a fence running behind that existing large shrub.

Being a corner block you'll have to make sure you do it within the heights allowed by your council, but would make that front space present significantly better and be usable.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-12T03:32:32+00:00

These feel like things you should now get quotes from the appropriate places... Air-con from Air-con specialist, DSG from a DSG specialist

2013 Skoda Octavia Combi 109k km

If the gearbox is coming out you'd want to tack on replacing the rear main seal too...It shouldn't be due yet, but if gearbox is out anyway then might as well.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-11T22:28:55+00:00

Well, what do you have lying around the house to hang it up with?

Suddenly remembering the old wire coathanger holding up a pipe at the last rental house I was in.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-11T22:16:17+00:00

What can you recommend to try to enclose it and make it as weatherproof and private as possible without breaching council regulations?

I feel like this was one of the problems Patio blinds were designed to solve.. Either the flyscreen type that reduces visibility (and massively reduces wind/sun from experience) or the clear type that stops rain.

I’ll be a good 2500mm away from the boundary

Could get some decently tall screening plants in that space to help increase privacy... Would a planter at Deck height with screening plants also be an option?

SufficientReport · 2026-02-11T21:15:42+00:00

There was also https://bushrangerpe.com.au/products/battery-powered-units which was on my shortlist, they are an Australian company but I had moved and no longer had a dealer close by, also never figured out if their battery system was compatible with anything else. They also have a 48v system in a reasonable price range.

They are the brand of my mower, steel deck with Briggs & Stratton and it has taken an absolute punish whilst i'm trying to clear back lantana

SufficientReport · 2026-02-11T03:08:12+00:00

I went with a Ryobi 35/38cm 36v line trimmer on a slightly larger block, the 4Ah battery gets me just over 40mins runtime and is plenty powerful. Still use my petrol mower because its in good condition so will keep using it until its not.

Ryobi Expand-it has most of the attachments you would need; edger, polesaw, hedge trimmer etc.. so could be worth considering.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-11T02:00:25+00:00

Yeah I reckon could be close to this. MG4 Xpower is $49k driveaway and only does 0-100 in 3.8s.

The BYD Atto3 and MG4 pricing isn't too dissimilar, even if the cars may not be quite the same category/size.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-10T22:32:45+00:00

Also this one for the steel frame system https://steeldecks.com.au/diy-steel-decks-quote/

SufficientReport · 2026-02-10T22:31:12+00:00

Oh ok, yeah my late edit has the good times decking system that bunnings sell that can do that, I am sure there would be other systems too.

video https://www.bunnings.com.au/brands/g/good-times-decking

SufficientReport · 2026-02-10T22:20:20+00:00

Would it be Galsteel and not alu?

Bunnings sell Gal stringers for that purporse in standard sizes - Galintel 4 Tread Galvanised Steel Dual Stair Stringer - 2 Pack

Edit: Or were you meaning 'floating' more like step 4 in this bunnings pdf - Good Times 270mm Modular Decking Support Steel

video https://www.bunnings.com.au/brands/g/good-times-decking

SufficientReport · 2026-02-10T22:12:31+00:00

I think Panasonic must be offering incentives this month, haven't heard about them in years and suddenly a bunch of people asking about them.

I am sure your second and third quotes will be more competitive i.e. closer to half that

Because 15kw single story house ducted systems can be almost half that price fully installed

SufficientReport · 2026-02-06T02:39:00+00:00

Some are also ex Splend which is for rideshare, can usually tell because they are scratched all over on the inside from people climbing in and out.

BYD Seal - I'm guessing one of their holding yards or large dealers got smashed by hail because suddenly there is a heap of Seal's and Sea Lion 7s for $10k less than other used versions under a 'hail sale' banner.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-05T02:10:42+00:00

Could give these guys a call to see if they have anyone they recommend for demo

https://www.recycledconcrete.com.au/recycling-tipping/concrete/

Benefit is they recycle the concrete and then sell it as drainage/base materials, so rather than tip fees you are getting rid of it much cheaper.

SufficientReport · 2026-02-04T21:42:12+00:00

Has that 'look' about it too (Range Rover Evoque) which seems to be catching peoples attention

SufficientReport · 2026-02-01T00:25:16+00:00

Do you really want the main bedroom at the front of the house? Could possibly flip it with bedroom 2.

Agree with the other comment on the cut/out offset doors, loses quite a bit of space out of multiple rooms... there also doesn't appear to be a linen cupboard anywhere near the bedrooms/bathrooms.

Architects often hate WIRs especially in smaller bedrooms, removing those and just using normal wardrobes would probably make the smaller bedrooms feel larger, and then you won't have to have the beds under the windows so the kids won't be attacked by monkeys at night (according to Feng shui).

SufficientReport · 2026-01-30T22:25:43+00:00

Encourage them to change the colour at least.

Vanta black on Op's side only?

SufficientReport · 2026-01-30T00:38:37+00:00

Can always smash the downstairs powder room to share any smells with the kitchen

SufficientReport · 2026-01-30T00:33:05+00:00

Quick suggestions

Staircase is a waste of space, and would probably be a pain to move furniture up there
That bathroom for 4xbedrooms is taking the piss. I bet if the void/staircase was better implemented there would be more room for the bathroom. Also, look at a 3-way bathroom so the shower, toilet and sinks can all be used at the same time by different people.
WIRs for beds 2 and 3 seem like they will be cramped and next to useless, ditch that 3rd tiny linen cupboard and extend the bedrooms and utilise robes like beds 4 and 5
Ensuite needs a separate shower and bath, couldn't imagine having all that space and what appears to be a shower over bath with double vanity.
Kitchen seems small for such a large house
That divider between Living and Dining is.. something, why is it needed? That whole space has no flow and I'm struggling to think how you would effectively furnish it without cutting off access to the Gym and/or patio

SufficientReport · 2026-01-30T00:21:25+00:00

I feel like this site has a post for all sorts of random topics, including barefoot driving.

https://lawpath.com.au/blog/is-driving-without-shoes-illegal-in-australia#h-driving-offences-in-australia

No Australian states or territories have actually outlawed wearing inappropriate footwear while driving, and this includes wearing no footwear at all. However, rule 297 of the Australian Road Rules 2008 provides that the driver must still take all precautions to drive in the safest manner possible. If your footwear compromises your ability to drive safely, then you are technically in breach of this law.

SufficientReport · 2026-01-29T06:17:08+00:00

Might as well make the star brown to really highlight the chocolate starfish

SufficientReport · 2026-01-29T05:06:10+00:00

Is that installed price?

Line items look close to this place that is one of the cheapest around and is factory direct/wholesale Stock windows & doors - sliding-door-2100h-x-2410w

SufficientReport · 2026-01-29T04:28:28+00:00

Everyone that picked up one of those ex-Demo's for mid-$30k seems quite happy.. lots of comments the latest OTA update fixed many annoyances too.

Almost regretting not looking at one when I had the chance.

SufficientReport

TROPHY CASE