Services all sorted

It seems that DGTek / Pineapple are down at the moment. Someone has dug through a major cable in Southbank. New cable has already been put in place. Now they have to reconnect it

You can see the status here

I’ve had a few people ask recently about internet options, especially around performance and reliability. A few people also commented in our annual survey that they were not happy with their internet provider.

Some quick background

• If Botanica as a building was connecting to the internet today then we’d have no option – we would allow NBN to run fibre into our basement and users then use a provider on top of that service.
• Before NBN got their act together and installed their fibre, two companies offered to run their own fibre cables into our basement.
• So in our basement you can see three separate boxes – a large one near the door to Paul’s bin room, that is NBN. In the recycle room there are two boxes – one is DGTek/Pineapple and the other is TPG.

So what does this all mean?

• You can use any provider that sells an NBN service. That is a long list and includes Telstra, Optus, TPG and many others.
• You can ask TPG for their fibre to the basement plan
• You can ask Pineapple for their residential plan They are very fast and cheap.

I personally use the Pineapple guys and have been very happy with them. All should be reliable and as fast as you’re prepared to pay.

Here is just a few of yesterday’s dramas. All sped up 4 times

We have reported it and asked for improved signage …or just any signage

Those of you on the front of the building may have noticed that CYP have installed 3 noisy generators opposite us (well 2 plus a backup). These are providing the power for the lights on the tram platform.

As I understand it is because they CYP and Citipower did not get their act together in time to use normal power.

I have asked

• why not use power available on the train platform
• why not put the generators underground

I then suggested that if they are to remain in their current location then they must be soundproofed. This was effort 1

I suggested that they may need a roof on the soundproofing

This is effort 2

hmm – I can still see the generators and hear them. It is clear that the beautifully designed structure has been architecturally designed and no expense has been spared. The lengths of timber have been carefully tossed on top in a way reminiscent of the way Collingwood exited their backline last AFL season.

After my recent complaint they have committed to build a soundproof box – it should be completed by the third week of January. By then work will have recommenced out the front.

Let me be clear – The requirements are that the noise after 10pm must be inaudible in any habitable room.

If you can hear the generators then please call 1800 105 105 and let them know. Be polite but let them know that they are clearly audible.

[rant over]

Sorry it is a bit grainy

Th immediate noise has gone …for now

Good afternoon everyone,

Welcome to the final weekly look ahead email for 2022.

It has been an eventful year, commencing at the start of the year with the demolition of the big green acoustic shed in the middle of St Kilda Road, and now we are about to open the new tram stop on St Kilda Road.

There has a been a lot accomplished over the year, and throughout it all we have genuinely appreciated the support from the local community. At times it certainly hasn’t been easy, no more-so than the past few weeks of 24/7 works.

We’re pleased to report that St Kilda Road is ready to reopen this evening, including the connection from Albert Road out to St Kilda Road and the connection into Park Street from St Kilda Road.

Over the weekend, Yarra Trams will be completing the final testing and commissioning works prior to trams recommencing. These testing and commissioning works by Yarra Trams will occur from 6pm, Sunday 18 December. Yarra Trams maintenance crews will be onsite to perform inspections, and if required, conduct maintenance work to ensure the tram network is fully operational. If test trams reveal any defects, the works will then be classified as essential tram works to enable network resumption. This means the defects will have to be rectified immediately. This may involve some hammering, grinding and vehicle noise.

The new tram stop will open from first tram on Monday morning with normal tram services scheduled to resume at 5am, Monday 19 December. Some areas will be in a temporary condition with further completion works to occur in 2023 and throughout 2023 we will be progressively constructing the final legacy arrangements including the Albert Road Reserve station entrance, Albert Road alignment as well as various St Kilda Road medians, central lanes, bike lanes, kerbing and crossing points.

Next week will be a fairly quiet week and we’ll be getting the site ready for shutdown over the Christmas break, with the installation of lighting in key areas and any rectification works.

The lights in the middle of St Kilda Road will be energised early in 2023, with a conduit connection to be excavated down Albert Road North, and CitiPower will need to do the final connection.

We’ll have temporary lighting set up in the meantime and the tram platform lights will be powered up.

Our thanks once again on behalf of the entire team constructing the Anzac Station, we hope that you enjoy a quiet, peaceful and safe break.
We’ll be returning to site around the 10^th January.

Thanks again, Rob and Christian