Here is a message from Bernadene Voss about the virus impact on City of Port Phillip. Sorry it is on Facebook, only place I’ve seen it so far.
…UPDATE – Now on Youtube too here
All posts by Gary Buck
How do we allocate levy amounts?
A couple of people have asked me how do we come up with the amounts that each owner has been charged for the ‘fire sprinkler’ work.
Under the Owners Corp Act costs are charged on what they call ‘lot liability’. Essentially that is based on your floorspace which includes car bays.
The OC charges for normal charges that you are invoiced every quarter is also based on the same formula.
Essentially the assumption under the Act is that people with bigger apartments should pay proportionately more.
There is a little discretion under the Act for levies to have a different formula in rare circumstances if the funds are not for the ‘common good’. Clearly the sprinklers are for the benefit of all owners and this is not applicable in this case.
Bottom line is that the sprinkler levy cost is based on floorspace.
Deliveries to Apartments
Below is the Government advice – if it causes you problem talk to Paul nicely and he may be able to help
Is home delivery still permitted?
Yes. But you should consider whether you really need delivery people regularly coming to your door. There are some basic principles you should follow.
Don’t purchase large items online – such as beds, couches or large appliances – that require several people to deliver or install in your home.
Where possible, don’t allow delivery people to enter your home, and always maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people, especially when paying and taking delivery of a package. Try to use contactless payment or pre-pay online if possible.
If you live in an apartment with a security entrance, don’t allow delivery people to enter the building or use lifts or internal stairways. Pick up your delivery from the front of the building instead. This minimises the risk to any older or vulnerable people who share the common areas of the property.
City of Port Phillip – Corona Virus update
Worth having a read of these web pages
Covers all sorts of info including things like
- Possible deferment of rates if you are in financial hardship
- What’s happening with parks and libraries
- What to do if you think that you may have the virus
- Mental health numbers
- ..lots more
Sprinkler levy – Change to due date
See below the note that should have gone with sprinkler levy note.
The due date for the levy is now May 31
Fire sprinkler replacement program
Note for Owners
Back in December I alerted you to the fact that we have an issue with Omega fire sprinklers in The Botanica. Since then we have been diligently working through the various options and costs.
The Committee has agreed that the best course of action to be:
* Replace all Omega sprinklers as soon as practicable. With the virus issues, this may cause a delay and we are working with the supplier on exact timing.
The work will require a two step process.
a. The first step will be the replacement of the sprinkler heads and this may involve some minor damage to plaster work in apartments. This is the most urgent task and we have a fixed price quote for this work of $142K including GST.
b. The plaster/paint repair work will be a separate task and we are not able to get quotes for this work until Step 1 is complete. It will be done as a separate task at a separate time.
The sprinkler work will be funded by a levy to all owners and the plaster / paint work will be funded from our existing maintenance fund. The total of the levy will be $150K to cover some additional car park sprinkler work not included in the existing quote.
I understand that it is a bad time to be requesting additional funds from owners, but this is essential work to maintain the safety of all occupants of the building. To make it a little easier the payments will be split across two quarters. This also means that the two payments are across two financial years which may assist some owners. If you have issues making these payments please contact Civium and we will try to come to a mutually agreeable payment plan.
The organisation we have engaged is very experienced in these matters and have done a number of apartment sprinkler replacement projects. Their timing is still not fixed, we are hopeful that we may be able commence in May / June with the work expected to take around 3 months.
By the nature of the work, it will be disruptive but we will try and minimise the disruptions. We will also ensure that all Corona Virus recommendations are followed by all working on the project.
In the meantime, please ensure that you continue to be extra diligent on fire matters. Be careful with BBQ’s, know the locations of extinguishers, know the evacuation plans.
Gary Buck
Chairman
25 March 2020
Latest tunnel news
I attended the Community Reference Group (CRG) meeting today – via Zoom.
Some things to note:
- Work is continuing with social distancing taken in account
- The final design (including possible central bike lanes) has still not been released and no date has been set for this.
- Albert Rd park will be tidied up this week, most poles/wire to go
- Big yellow bentonite tanks on The Shrine corner gone before Easter
- Tunneling to start late April/early May
- Millie first and then Alice about 4 weeks later..heading to South Yarra
- Distance to South Yarra is about 1.7km and they do about 10 metres per day…so it will take until late 2020
- Noise and vibration being monitored closely
- Will be 24*7
- Material coming out of tunnel will be a slurry form. It will go to Edmund Herring Oval for ‘drying’ and will then be trucked away from there. Trucks will go up past the Shrine in most cases.
- Trucks expected to create more noise than the tunneling
Full slide pack below
Fire sprinkler replacement program
Update – you received this in your letterbox today…please note it is very unlikely that we will commence the work in May. The work will be rescheduled as soon practical
Back in December I alerted you to the fact that we have an issue with Omega fire sprinklers in The Botanica. Since then we have been diligently working through the various options and costs.
The following course of action is to be undertaken.
* Replace all Omega sprinklers as soon as practicable. With the virus issues, this may cause a delay and we are working with the supplier on exact timing.
The work will require a two step process.
- The first step will be the replacement of the sprinkler heads and this may involve some minor damage to plaster work in apartments.
- The plaster/paint repair work will be a separate task and we are not able to get quotes for this work until Step 1 is complete. It will be done as a separate task at a separate time.
The organisation we have engaged is very experienced in these matters and have done a number of apartment sprinkler replacement projects. Their timing is still not fixed, we are hopeful that we may be able commence in May with the work expected to take around 3 months.
By the nature of the work, it will be disruptive but we will try and minimise the disruptions. We will also ensure that all Corona Virus recommendations are followed by all working on the project.
In the meantime, please ensure that you continue to be extra diligent on fire matters. Be careful with BBQ’s, know the locations of extinguishers, know the evacuation plans.
Gary Buck
Chairman
25 March 2020
Roller door operational again
The top car park door is working again
Neighbourhood info
Bulletin re COVID-19
Many MSYRG members have expressed concern for others in our South Yarra community who may be self-isolating or who lack support in these dark times. MSYRG sends you this Bulletin with information that may be useful.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS BULLETIN TO NEIGHBORS
NB: THIS INFORMATION MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME
OUR DOMAIN VILLAGE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT
Finer Fruit South Yarra is open and always getting items onto the shelves as they empty quickly. 9866 2746
Domain Dry Cleaner has reduced hours: Monday-Friday 8am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to noon. This may change depending on any new government restrictions. 9866 1774
The 7/11 is open usual hours
Botanical Pharmacy: 9866 2634 info@botanicalpharmacy.com.au Open and is an essential service. They ask that you or your Dr email a prescription; they will dispense it and have it ready for collection.
Domaine brasserie: 9820 1922. Reduced menu takeaway only. Open 6 am to 4 pm 98201922
Gilson have a Take Away and Delivery Service 7am-2pm and 5pm-9pm. 98663120
Entrecote open for Takeaway coffee and food 7am-2 pm. 98045468
Botanical, Matilda and Bacash are closed.
St Kilda Road-Toorak Road West area has some shops open including PO, bottle shop and chemist.
South Yarra Senior Citizens Centre, Fawkner Park is closed until 19 April 2020
Woolworths Priority Assistance has home deliveries to help the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and those in mandatory isolation. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, please complete the form at www.woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance. Woolworths has also introduced a dedicated hour for the elderly and people with disabilities to shop between 7am and 8am
Coles Online Priority Service (COPS) is now delivering food and grocery essentials to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, please check www.coles.com.au for details how such customers can assess COPS. Coles trading hours are 7am to 8pm every day, with the first hour of trade on weekdays exclusively for customers who hold a government-issued Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Companion Card, Seniors Card, Disability Card and Health Care Card.
South Melbourne Market
https://southmelbournemarket.com.au/pick-up-service/ The traders and the market have started an order and pick up service – order by a particular time Wednesday and pick up in their car park Thursday afternoon. It is a little out of the area but may be a very useful service for those that drive and do not want any contact.
Emergency Relief Packages For Victorians Who Need It Most (Victorian Government)
Victorians in mandatory self-isolation running short on food and unable to have any dropped-off by friends are now eligible for a “food and personal care package”, with a two-weeks supply of items like long-life milk, pasta, canned fruit, cereal and sugar, as well as some personal care items. People wishing to request a pack should call Victoria’s dedicated Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
**************************************************
INFORMATION FROM THE CITY OF MELBOURNE
CoM continues to closely monitor the situation, working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Australian Government Department of Health. The City of Melbourne Novel has a dedicated coronavirus webpage for the latest updates and response to the COVID-19 situation. This page covers a range of frequently asked questions and is updated daily.
( https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/health-services/Pages/novel-coronavirus.aspx )
For up-to-date information, please refer to the Department of Health and Human Services ( https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/information-public-novel-coronavirus )
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP? Here is a CONTACT CARD
that you may like to cut out, fill in and use to reach out to others in our communities. If you identify anyone who may be particularly vulnerable and at risk, please advise them to contact CoM 9658 9658 and ask for Ageing and Inclusion or email MSYRG secretary@msyrg.com.au and we will make sure to pass onto to CoM
Phone or online counselling support and crisis support services
Lifeline – provides crisis counseling and suicide prevention services. Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Lifeline online chat.
Suicide Call Back Service – provides online and phone counselling if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Phone: 1300 659 467. Suicide Call Back Service online chat.
General counselling and mental health support
Beyond Blue – online and phone mental health support. Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Beyond Blue online chat.
Care in Mind – online and phone counselling for people living, working, or studying in Melbourne’s northern, central, and western suburbs. Phone: 1300 096 269 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). CareinMIND online counselling.
eheadspace – confidential mental health and wellbeing support for young people (12 – 25 years) and their families, including information, support, and health services. Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am – 1am, 7 days a week). eheadspace online chat.
MensLine – professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Phone 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). MensLine online counselling.
Mindspot – free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression and can help you find local services. Call 1800 61 44 34 (8am – 8pm, Monday – Friday; 8am-6pm, Saturday).
Specialist areas
1800Respect – confidential counselling, information and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse via phone or online chat. Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). 1800Respect online chat.
Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline (ED HOPE)- confidential service that provides information, counselling, and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Phone: 1800 33 4673 (8am – midnight).
Directline – confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral service. Phone: 1800 888 236 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Directline online counselling.
Switchboard Victoria – telephone and web counselling, information, and referral service for LGBTQI people. Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm – 12am, 7 days a week). QLife Webchat.
Private providers of meal delivery
FOOD DELIVERIES by various providers suggested by CoM for people who would like to organize private meal delivery.
Diabetes Meals online 1300 79 89 08 https://www.diabetesmealsonline.com.au/
Katrina’s Kitchen
Frozen meals delivered Mon-Fri 9569 0488 http://katrinaskitchen.com.au/
My Goodness Organics
Delivery only on Sunday $90 min order https://mygoodnessorganics.com.au/
Meals in a moment Frozen meals delivered weekly on a Monday 9580 7906 https://www.mealsinamoment.com.au
Nourish’d 0434 878 004 https://nourishd.com.au/about-us/
Dineamic Healthy Meals: recommended by a member 8669 0587 www.dineamic.com.au
TIP SHEET FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
The University of Melbourne has developed a tip sheet on managing stress and anxiety during the COVId-19 pandemic which you may also like to draw from:
https://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel/resources/wellbeing/coronavirus-covid-19-managing-stress-and-anxiety
**********************************************************************************
STAYING IN CONTACT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
ZOOM/SKYPE/WHATSAPP are all tech savvy ways of staying in virtual contact with family and friends. In particular we draw your attention to ZOOM which is the latest great way for family and friends to live chat and audio-conference. It is free for 40 minutes Download the App and set up
NB: THIS INFORMATION MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME; PLEASE CHECK
MSYRG 25/03/2020
Rollerdoor issue – top car park
We have a serious issue with the rollerdoor for the Bowen St carpark.
It can only be operated manually – by pulling the chain.
It will be left down overnight to discourage unwelcome visitors.
If you MUST go out in your car, you will need to manually raise the door and then please manually close it again.
It will be repaired as soon as possible.
The Botanica 
You must be logged in to post a comment.