We're driving to disaster, rail guru warns

[smh] "The state's most respected transport bureaucrat has broken an eight-year silence to condemn the NSW Government's botched handling of Sydney's transport system"

Some interesting insight into the problems with the current Sydney public transport infrastructure that were predicted back in 2001. The need for a second train line under/over the harbour is something that I am now experiencing every day with the near crush loads on the North Shore line during peak hour.

Dinner at Spice I am, Darlinghurst

Bondi Junction blast: frustrated residents stuck in limbo

[smh] "More than 300 homeless residents of the Bondi Junction apartment block rocked by a gas explosion on Monday face weeks of further uncertainty about compensation and when they will be able to move back in.

Unit owners and tenants of Eastgate Towers on Spring Street were told at a meeting on Wednesday night it would take at least five weeks - and as long as eight months - before the building is fully repaired."

Bondi Junction blast residents homeless

[smh] "More than 200 residents left homeless after an explosion in a Bondi Junction apartment building do not know when they will be allowed back to live in their homes."

Bondi Junction gas explosion

All of this happened in an apartment block about 100 metres up the street from where I live:

[smh]"Two plumbers remain in hospital, one in a critical condition, after a gas explosion on the 29th floor of an apartment block in Sydney's eastern suburbs yesterday.

The men, aged 22 and 20, received serious facial and hand burns in the blast, which ripped apart walls on the 29th floor of the unit block on Spring Street, Bondi Junction, about 12.40pm.

It is believed the explosion was caused by a ruptured gas pipe in the eastern tower above Bondi Junction's Eastgate shopping complex.

Most of the 200 or so residents evacuated yesterday were allowed back into their units overnight.

But police warned the building would have little or no power, water or gas supply for at least the next three days."

Hawks vs Cats @ the MCG

Hawks vs Cats
Originally uploaded by adrianhind

Went down to Melbourne to see the Hawks take on the Cats in the opening round Grand Final replay on Friday night. Hawthorn was missing a few key players, Geelong was getting the ball into the forward line more frequently, but kicking inaccurately. In the early fourth term, Hawthorn were 43 points behind, but fought back strongly with Franklin and Roughead kicking three goals each. In the end, Geelong finished 8 points ahead, but Hawthorn proved that their performance in last year's Grand Final was no fluke.

Go Hawks!! Here's to another big season in 2009.

Saturday Session at the Australian F1 Grand Prix

2009 F1 Grand Prix Saturday - 03
Originally uploaded by adrianhind

Don and I went to the Saturday session of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.

The newly formed Brawn GP team of Button and Barichello finished 1st and 2nd in qualifying, and went on to take 1st and 2nd in the race on Sunday after Vettel and Kubica ran into each other just 3 laps from the end.

Full set of Flickr photos here.

Sound Relief at the SCG

Sound Relief: Coldplay ... and John Farnham
Originally uploaded by adrianhind

Coldplay, John Farnham, Wolfmother, Hoodoo Gurus, Architecture in Helsinki, Eskimo Joe, Taylor Swift, Jet, The Presets, and Icehouse! Fantastic line-up, and all for a great cause.

How to stuff up an economic stimulus plan

Dinner at glass brasserie and bar