All posts by Gary Buck

St Kilda Rd living

#WalkSignsFundingPotHoles

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Did you wonder how the Vic Govt is funding the pothole work? They are removing the walk signs from intersections as you can see in this video.

This morning while I was waiting to cross, another pedestrian, who looked like a metallurgist, told me that there are rare earths in the walk signs. As I understand it, they began to do the same in Michigan under an inspired piece of leadership from the US President.

They removed this one a few months ago and it has had mixed results – people are confused but I don’t believe that anyone has been seriously injured, so that must be seen as a success.

#WalkSignsfundingPotHoles

Please share this piece of inspirational work with your friends – perhaps you know the actual rare earth that they are recovering

St Kilda Rd living

Missing walk sign at Albert Rd

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I thought I was making progress in getting this fixed but I am now not so sure.

Feel free to call VicRoads on 133 778. At the prompt say “Seeking update on enquiry”

Use reference number 503757816

Tell them that this is VERY dangerous, it is the intersection of a major road and very busy train station. It has been like it for months.

They really struggle to comprehend that the entire sign is missing.

As call centres go they are very quick – takes less than ten minutes

Metro Tunnel

Residents Meeting March 2026

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My brief notes form last night’s meeting

  • Welcome
  • Build more of a sense of community
    • Issues with smokers, Carparking, dogs, noise and more – settle amongst yourselves
    • Safety – highlighted when you see disasters around the world
  • Avello
  • They have paid $1000 towards costs tonight
    • Scott McPhillips here tonight
  • Painting (fixed)                                 $475K
    • Cocky damage                                 $218K
    • Hoarding change                            $14K
    • TOTAL                                                   $725K
    • Any issues – please report ASAP
  • Lift replacement
  • Thyssen Krupp doing the work
    • Cost      $570K – fixed price
    • Construction phase underway
    • Slightly bigger – esp height
    • Colour very similar – not noticeable
    • First lift will be done around July/August and take 3 monthsSecond one 3 months laterFor six months we will have a MAXIMUM of one lift
    • Try the stairs / make sure you have a stairwell key for your floor
  • Safety
  • Defib – it is there and easy to use, no training tonight
    • You can’t harm people using it
    • Keep doing heart massage before and after
    • We have bells but no alarms in the corridors
      • Try the fire escape to get out of the building
      Look for your extinguishers – corridors and car parksSecurity breach the other day
    • Carpet trip hazard
  • Other matters
  • Brass signs and handles
    • Council / gardens etc
    • Subscribe to the blog
St Kilda Rd living

Building security

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Earlier in the week someone managed to get into the building and access the lobby and top car park and then exited.

It has been reported to the Police.

We have determined how the person evaded the security system and that ‘hole’ has been filled.

It does not seem like he took anything but did check for unlocked cars and cages.

If you store a bipper to open the roller door, please get Esteban to make that device set to ONLY open the roller door. In some nearby buildings, cars have been broken into to get bippers to access the other floors of the building.

Here is a video of him in the car park https://tinyurl.com/Intruder400

Here is video of lobby

https://tinyurl.com/Intruder4002

Metro Tunnel

Residents gathering – come and meet your neighbours

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All owners and residents are welcome to come along to our next Botanica get together.

As is becoming custom, we will have a short talk about things that should interest everyone and then some drinks and nibbles.

We will talk about

  • The new lifts that are coming
  • Some basic building security and fire safety that you should all know
  • Avello will talk about the end of the painting project

Wednesday March 25 at 6pm

@ Flo Cafe next door at 412 St Kilda Rd

Come along learn something and get to meet your neighbours

RSVP to Esteban at botanica400@tpg.com.au

please let him know of any dietary requirements

Metro Tunnel

Safety info and lift replacement update

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All owners and residents are welcome to come along to our next Botanica get together.

As is becoming custom, we will have a short talk about things that should interest everyone and then some drinks and nibbles.

We will talk about

  • The new lifts that are coming
  • Some basic fire safety that you should all know
  • Some basic information about the defibrillator

Wednesday March 25 at 6pm

@ Flo Cafe next door at 412 St Kilda Rd

Come along learn something and get to meet your neighbours

RSVP to Esteban at botanica400@tpg.com.au

please let him know of any dietary requirements