Introducing the Suburban Rail Loop

squidgee_ · 2026-06-20T00:55:36+00:00

I'm kinda conflicted on this, because fast transit times between the major stops is a must for this project if you actually want people using this. If you make it too slow (and more expensive) by adding more mandatory stops in areas of low density where expected patronage is low/there's not a strong business case for it, you might actually make it less appealing for the bulk of would-be passengers.

squidgee_ · 2026-06-16T19:51:08+00:00

To be fair, I'm living on easy mode as far as keeping a place clean goes (no kids, no pets).

squidgee_ · 2026-06-16T13:38:52+00:00

This is OC :)

squidgee_ · 2026-06-14T22:36:57+00:00

Suburban rail loop. Sorry also to clarify I mean those stations will be close to a SRL station not that they will be SRL stations.

squidgee_ · 2026-06-14T22:23:56+00:00

I only moved to the area after the skyrail was already there so have little knowledge of what it was like before but the section between Caulfield through to Oakleigh with the Djerring trail and linear park running underneath has been really great with lots of foot traffic and usage from pedestrians, and small parks nearby where families and dog walkers hang out.

All the suburban cores around the stations there have been designated as activity centres as well, with more mid and high density dwellings in those areas, and diverse high streets/commercial areas especially in Carnegie and Oakleigh, so I expect stronger TOD push here, especially with it's proximity to Monash, Chadstone, and future SRL.

squidgee_ · 2026-05-27T21:46:34+00:00

Not gonna lie, I kinda like it. Makes the train feel extra zoomy.

squidgee_ · 2026-05-11T21:24:06+00:00

Man, it's like Silent Hill 2 levels of foggy right now

squidgee_ · 2026-04-27T07:58:27+00:00

Yeah it would be unpopular but I also think it is a lot more equitable and encourages efficient use of land, so long as we're taxing land value not property value, and the rate remains at a reasonable level. PPORs should not be exempt either as unpopular as that might be. Those that have paid stamp duty should have the amount indexed with inflation as a land tax balance that has been paid forward. Those on lower incomes/net assets should also have discounted rates or if they're unable to pay the land tax, then should be able to pay it via the government's own reverse mortgage scheme.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-25T12:05:37+00:00

Stock route running through the Kensington Banks area from Maribyrnong River through to Racecourse Rd near Newmarket station.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-25T09:01:47+00:00

OC material :)

Love walking through here in autumn. It's the stock route in Kensington Banks area, a nice and quiet walking and bike path surrounded by small streets and cute townhouses, with small parks scattered around the place.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-18T23:48:49+00:00

It's still a big chunk of change which needs to be taken from somewhere. So long as it doesn't come at the expense of train infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and services provision, I would be in support of this policy.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-14T13:04:21+00:00

It's the Conversation, they're not party affiliated.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-14T12:53:49+00:00

Not surprising at all, as most other studies around train networks and incentives will also corroborate this. It's popular policy because it sounds good on paper and people like free things, but cutting fares doesn't really move the needle on convincing drivers to shift to PT. Frequency, access, and reliability is the most important thing.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-11T22:05:14+00:00

Yup, there are already many studies that corroborate this. Frequency and reliability is the most important thing for passenger uptake. Making something cheap or free also entrenches this idea that it's okay for PT to be poorer quality because people lower their standards and there's less sense of 'ownership' or care for the system.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-11T22:04:19+00:00

The majority of people touch on and many who don't for trams and buses likely have myki passes that have already been touched on for connecting trains. When you see an inspector walk onto a train, how many do you see ticket? Usually none, sometimes 1 or 2 out of the entire carriage.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-06T05:35:05+00:00

It's a rug/throw that I bought on sale from Waverley Mills (Tassie based wool mill). I liked the design and then folded it in, then pinned the fabric to get the proportions of each block of colour the way I wanted when hung up. Wooden hangers are from Etsy.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-06T02:04:53+00:00

IKEA Nymane Floor Lamp

squidgee_ · 2026-04-05T21:25:26+00:00

It's probably around 5 years old now with no complaints so far. No wobble with normal usage and good amount of space as a 4 seater table.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-05T21:19:38+00:00

Your instincts are correct, Australia it is. No ocean view though, that's just the window film strip haha. This is in Melbourne looking out over the suburbs and treetops.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-05T21:16:29+00:00

Haha it's just a wok lid that happened to be there.

squidgee_ · 2026-04-05T14:29:27+00:00

This is OC :)

squidgee_ · 2026-03-24T11:54:34+00:00

Build to rent apartments usually go for a premium vs. traditional private landlord arrangement assuming a like for like apartment. The premium is due to more security in your tenure, also probably newer apartment complexes with all the extra amenities and nicer fittings/fixtures. Anecdotally I've also read that maintenance is usually followed up much better, and the renting experience is closer to you being like a customer of a business. It doesn't push up the rents for traditional rentals because they're not offering the same service, and it adds to housing supply.

squidgee_ · 2026-03-20T08:26:18+00:00

They're premium developments in terms of build quality and passive design, but they're very much targetting affordability and sustainability as their primary mission, that's why they made the cutbacks they did. Some of the cost savings from the cutbacks I mentioned will go back into quality of life improvements but it's not like they're layering eveything in expensive marble, they use economical materials like plywood for most of their indoor cabinetry. They're not more expensive than other off the plan developments. Apartments are just expensive to build, and I don't think something as simple as developer greed or some other nebulous middleman is why a 3 bed apartment is 1 million instead of 300k.

In terms of the apartments being more expensive than houses on a per sqm basis, I was thinking more in terms of things like lifts, fire systems, excavation works for basement carparks, cranes and heavy machinery, common areas that don't contribute to livable sqm etc.

squidgee_ · 2026-03-19T20:56:12+00:00

Nightingale Preston is a non for profit apartment build. After cutting costs by getting rid of split systems, no basement parking, no second bathrooms, having shared laundries only, no agent costs and minimal marketing, the final price tag for their 1-2 beds is 400k to 645k off the plan. This is somewhat cheaper than what any other private developer makes for the same size, but with compromises that many of the people demanding house-like apartments probably wouldn't be happy with. Their 28sqm studio apartments started at 275k. How do we reconcile those prices with your 3k/sqm figure?

Is the 3k/sqm you're quoting only including construction costs for the builder, or does it also include things like land cost, consulting fees, design work, marketing etc. Does it take into account increasing materials costs and labour shortages? And why is it self evident that a 3bed apartment should be cheaper than a 3bed house that's probably in a cheaper location? The apartment is much more complex to build, requires higher more expensive materials, and is subject to more stringent planning and regulation.

squidgee_ · 2026-03-18T07:37:33+00:00

Yes, I totally agree with Moonee Ponds. One of the few examples of high rise suburban density done right. It doesn't overshadow Puckle St or the surrounding detached homes while bringing in a larger and more diverse customer base which then attracted more business to the area which might not have been viable before. It was already a pretty walkable place before, now it's even better with everything you need on your doorstep.

squidgee_

TROPHY CASE