Melbourne Snapshot

Melbourne is not so boring after all. Let's look some of the things happening around us lately:

MELBURNIANS could soon be subject to tough new daily water limits under a State Government plan to curb use. It is believed individuals would be asked to limit water use to 155 litres a day; average use is now 165 litres a person a day. The plan is expected to be similar to a Queensland campaign known as Target 170, which requires southeast Queenslanders to limit their water use to 170 litres a person a day.

If water use exceeds that level, a notice is sent, along with an information package on tips to save water. If a household continues to exceed the required levels, an explanation is required. An outdoor water use ban can be imposed if the usage is not justified. More

155 litres per day should be quite reasonable. In my household, there're 4 people at the moment so that would be around 620 litres per day. Well, according to our water bills, we are using about 800 litres per day! Guess we should be cutting down on our usage! Mainly, I believe comes from long shower times and washing machine! Summer is coming, so we might take showers twice a day! Ops!

Having said that, commercial & industrial plants uses a lot more water than residential. I don't think they'll want to limit it, as it could slow or half productions. Wait a minute! World economy is slowing down, so productions might slowed down itself! :D

Australia is one of the driest continent in the world, so they might need to think of other plans in the long term. Built more dams, catch the rain water, convert sea water, or something? Huge investments are needed here. Maybe learn from Singapore?
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MORE than 60 people a week faced losing their homes last month after being served home repossession orders. In a sign that financial hardship has overwhelmed many struggling families, a record 277 repossession orders were served in October, compared with an average of about 250 for the year. It is about three times the number served on home owners five years ago. More

We have lots of homelessness people out there, now people are also forced out of their homes! Renting prices haven't drop as well and not likely to within the next 24 months. The cycle is go round & round!

The rich will be richer, the poor will be poorer. The world is heading towards globalization but the people is heading towards individualism. Greed will always win over mercy. I wouldn't dare to imagine 100 or even 50 years later what would the world become? Remember the days of Noah, where God has to destroy everything and "restart" it? It could almost be the same scenarios! The Second Coming sounds familiar to you?
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A FAST-moving storm has caused disruptions across the city this morning, affecting train timetables and traffic lights with lightning strikes. Authorities have warned motorists to take extra care, with traffic lights disrupted at many junctions and deep water lying across roads throughout the state. Train services were disrupted across the city during peak hour with Sydenham the worst-affected line. More

That's why you love Melbourne! Few days it's hot like sauna, then suddenly it's cold like winter! It's a glad relief anyway to get the rain today. At least it cools off the weekends for us! The summer is expected to be HOT! So brace yourselves!

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Melbourne's inner city suburbs would have a blanket 40kmh speed limit under a plan being pushed by three councils and health groups. The invite to the Safe Speed Forum features a 30kmh zone sign, suggesting the group behind the meeting ultimately wants a 20kmh reduction in the current speed limit. Members of the Safe Speed Interest Group include the City of Yarra, City of Melbourne and City of Port Phillip.

Sigh, as if the traffic is not slow enough these days! Thanks to the peak hour traffic! Sometimes cycling can be faster. Should teach those pedestrian how to cross the roads, not slowing down drivers to cover for the mistakes made by pedestrians. Build more walking paths, more crossings, etc.

The world needs to go faster, not slower. What's the point of building high powered car when you can only go 40km/h? Better introduce trishaws? It's slow enough, safe enough and environmental friendly!! By the way, it could be good for Australians as we are generally obese.

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Badminton for Saturday & Sunday! Woohoo! Can't wait for it! Then my parents are here.