Providing (temporary) seats in a space that is available is a lot different to completing a complex permanent grand stand. The completion of the structure and seating is only one element in commissioning and finalising the stands in time for hand-over. Whatever the real status of the program on site...

Is scary that a "whimsy" like that can take out second prize - would love to know what else the judging panel is involved with when these sorts of things win competitions.....I'm happy for the tinkering around with parklets as one small measure of vibrancy, but it remains simlpy tinkering

I'm excited! I am fortunate enough to have a family beach house down south - and we received a letter slipped under the door from NBN Co giving us the good news that we are now able to connect to the uber-NBN thingy....fantastic news - we don't even have a phone line to the house (and why would we w...

Australia owns the Reserve Bank and therefore has an infinite credit limit. I'm no economist - but this concept is really really scary and I am amazed at how many people seem to think this way. Wealth cannot simply materialise from nothing (ie printing (lots) more paper notes) - money is simply a c...

[Shuz] wrote:But, I shall leave on a positive note. I know something you don't know.

C'mon - we won't tell anyone - what option is getting put up in the budget - or don't you truly know???

it is still a cost to the project which will manifest itself as increased business costs, just as real as increased taxes, or reduced money in an individual's bank account. Good points - and hence why I would love it if our public debates could have some transparency - think what we could focus on i...

Interesting. You both see the importance of government backed PT, but not NBN... Nice link to two separate discussions - our politicians are allowed multiple views and back-flips so I am just applying the same rule. Seriously though, obviously my views are influenced by personal priorities and my e...

All the proponents of "build it once, build it right" appear to ignore the time cost associated with money. Borrowing massively now may well be more expensive than paying overall more (in today's dollar terms) to stage an NBN roll-out that firstly goes to a node and then goes all the way t...

One essential element that I have only seen mentioned briefly thus far s the need for any tram to connect with a broader strategy to additional modes of transport. A City Loop in isolation fails to achieve much of an economic outcome by itself - and would it remain free within our city mile - that w...

It is complete madness in a country the size of Australia to seek to have a "one size fits all" approach. The NBN seeks to roll-out at massive cost this core infrastructure for every single recognised habitation in Australia (whether you want or need it is irrelevant) - whilst we cannot ev...

So why does Cable TV work in Australia? Private companies take the risk in providing a core / back-bone infrastructure, and individual house-holds decide if they wish to purchase the connection from the street and satellite makes up the areas that are not commercial? It's great seeing the debate rag...

Heh heh - I could see that one coming after I posted my last and you've got me on that aspect me-thinks.....Guess my only reply on that one is $27B (or whatever it will end up costing) builds a heck of a lot of roads, and these are free access to business and private users - so (and I lean a liitle ...

Claybro - I am in your court. If I am not mistaken, every single one of those famous quotes was proved wrong (hence the reason to post them). But that is exactly my key point - these individuals and companies were proven wrong - and market demand, private sector risk taking and investment unlocked t...

There appear to be strong arguments from both sides on this matter. But a couple of observations that I haven't seen answered to date: 1. Copper maintenance - this would be required regardless of solution and must be factored somewhere (eventually) - as I understand it, Telstra will be in serious do...

I admit not knowing the technical aspects of an NBN roll-out, including overall commercial arrangements, but I do know that there appears consensus generally on the fact that Governments are poor owners / managers of essentially commercial enterprises. Where is the true economic benefit of seeking t...