For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.
However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.
Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world. While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.
So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.
Farewell to the decrepitude of Eastlakes Shopping Centre
A wee bit south of Sydney, nestled in the bosom of Eastlakes, stood a shopping centre so defiantly run-down it almost felt like an act of protest. While newer, shinier malls popped up like gigantic mushrooms across the suburbs—complete with intolerably huge numbers of humans, overpriced juice bars, and the soul of a PowerPoint presentation—this place stood its ground. Mostly because no one cared enough to knock it over. Until now.
Originally constructed in 1964 (because what says “timeless architecture” like concrete and brown tiles?), the mall—then known as the “Lakes Shopping Centre”—was dropped right in the middle of what used to be a racecourse. Because naturally, the only logical next step after horse racing is a strip of discount stores and a fish shop that smells like, well a horse stable I guess.
Surrounded by a charming forest of identical red-brick unit blocks, the centre was many things: a relic, a meeting place, home to various rodents and birds, a maze of low ceilings and fluorescent regret. But for me, it was more personal. Armed with a camera and an unhealthy love for urban decay, I decided to document the entire demolition process—because what’s more heartwarming than watching your childhood memories get bulldozed in high resolution?
See, I used to come here with my grandparents, mostly for McDonald’s. It was a sacred ritual involving Happy Meals and mild food poisoning (once anyway). So naturally, when the mall’s time came, I did what any sentimental historian with little other guff going on would do: started a blog series no one asked for.
This series begins with the gentle and dignified flattening of the rear of the centre and carpark, goodbye walls, hello gaping holes—and will continue with irregular, possibly chaotic updates as the shiny new monstrosity rises from the ashes. Or rubble. Or whatever’s left once the pigeons and rats sign their eviction notices.
So pour one out for the pest-infested landmark of our youth. As you scroll through these images of rubble and existential dread, may you find some small, weird joy in watching the slow, dramatic end of a local icon.
Stay tuned. Or don’t. The pigeons already left.
You're welcome.
Note: All captions relate to the photos above unless otherwise noted.
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28th July 2025
The centre had just recently closed and looked so empty.
Though at least they had finally emptied the huge build up of garbage in the bins
Woolies had closed, and the main doors off Evans Avenue closed forever.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Like the FoodT3pp Filipino store, it was good to see that the BKK Supermarket was also able to find a new home.
Just two days before the fencing went up. It looks like it wont be long before the wreckers reach this part of the complex given their rate of progress. Photo: Brad Peadon
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12th August 2025
Things looked to have begun with the whole site surrounded by this fencing.
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15th August 2025
Our first visit at the commencement of the demolition.
They appear to have chosen to start on the west side of the structure, going from the rear through to the front.
The middle carpark had already been obliterated and they had made a start on the first shops.
Above and three below.
A start is made on the wiping out of the old Eastlakes Shopping Centre.
The last bit of the former rooftop parking ramp still exists.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking down the ramp just before closure.
By this day, where I was standing, along with the carpark to the right, had all been obliterated.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The Woolworths remained largely intact, although stripped internally, at this time.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Signage, just in case all the rubble wasn't enough to make you realise demolition work was in progress :-)
Photos: Brad Peadon
Where the lasses are seen making a YouTube outro was now a pile a rubble.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
One of the first casualties in the great flattening of Eastlakes was the middle carpark — unceremoniously wiped from existence, leaving behind only the still-intact ramp to the upper level, which now leads heroically... to absolutely nothing.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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18th August 2025
By this visit they had really hoed into the upper carpark and the shops from the middle level entrance through to what would have been the original Aldi supermarket.
Demolition crews have been slowly nibbling their way in from the rear of the west side — very methodical, very dramatic. The old fruit market (still clinging to life on the left, bless it) remains for now, while the area around where Aldi once stood has already been reduced to dust and memories. See below for the carnage.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
By this time the fruit market had been completely gutted, while the area where the bakehouse was looks to have been demolished.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Gutted former fruit market. Photo: Brad Peadon
The part of the upper level carpark, where that car is seen, had been torn down.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The once site of McDonalds looks on nervously, wondering if it will follow the carpark. As it turned out, it didn't :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
Over half of the old carpark was still intact on this day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
----------------------------------------------- 21st August 2025
There had been much progress since my last visit with over half the shops between the carparks gutted and work noted as having recently commenced on the Woolworth side as well. Again, this new work has commenced at the rear of the former centre.
It was far from my favourite carpark, those bays being a little tight. I admit to usually parking in the new centre, and walking across to here for our shopping adventures.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below
The ramp to nowhere can be made out in front of the initial demo work on the structure to the east side (Woolworths).
Photos: Brad Peadon
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23rd August 2025
The parking ramp was still mostly intact, though this would not be the case for much longer.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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26th August 2025
Returned today to find the last remaining corner of the carpark obliterated, and the sorting out of the rubble and removal beginning.
With the sun out, the lighting was horrendous, so I grabbed a few shots and hoped things would be overcast (thus more even lighting) the following day.
However, it is worth noting that the structure where the stairs lead down from the top carpark, as well the remains of the carpark ramp, were still in existence. They would not be the next day.
The shelving of the old BKK Supermarket can be made out in the background. The angle underneath being where the foot ramp was down to the carpark and rear entrance.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The last corner of the carpark had been removed.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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27th August 2025
I went yesterday, but the sun made for horrid lighting, so took advantage of all todays cloud.
The last corner of the carpark had gone by yesterday, and by this morning the last portion of the old upper carpark ramp had joined it.
Also noted gone in the last 24 hours was the structure over the entrance to the mall from the upper carpark.
A large hole was also noted in the east wall to Woolies. Presumably to make emptying the old store a bit easier.
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28th August 2025
My last look before heading to Melbourne for four days to cover some equally endangered old Z3 type trams.
The rapid progress in getting through the Woolworths and BKK supermarket section has me worried about how much will be gone when I restart on Tuesday :-(
Above and below.
Winter winds often lead to east-west landings in Sydney Airport. Such was the case today when QANTAS 737 VH-VZQ (above) and VH-VXC (below) is was seen passing the worksite.
These Boeings are expected to be retired shortly.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The white shelving (see two below) of BKK Supermarket can be seen through the glass windows. One of the glass panes had disappeared since the previous visit, and the shelving knocked on an angle.
The ramp and shops to the right in the below photo have been obliterated.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Moits sprinkler truck used for avoiding any dust issues.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
Where once a carpark existed.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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2nd September 2025
Back from Melbourne to find them really ripping into Woolworths and BKK supermarkets section.
At the front it was noticed some stripping of the places around the offices. Time was against us, so no shots of the front were got on this day.
Above: The small elevated platform at the rear was still surviving as of September 2nd. Although everything above and behind has gone.
Below: Photo just prior to closure.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above & three below.
Inside what was the Woolworths and BKK supermarkets.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above: Ripping into the rear area of Woolworths and BKK.
Below: Wall just prior to closure.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above & below.
Inside the old BWS liquor store and the register area beyond as the demolition marches ever closer.
Appears some stripping out of the ceiling has occurred.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above & below.
BWS (Woolworths) liquor shop not long before closure.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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3rd September 2025
Today I returned to do a walk right around.
Visible work was still concentrated on the rear dock area around Woolworths.
The rest looked much the same, though I did get shots of the front (Evans Avenue) where some stripping of the small shop/office area appears to have started prior to demolition.
Was a strange feeling looking in from Evans Avenue towards the empty space where the carpark has stood for as long as I can remember.
View from Evans Ave through to where the carpark stood until recently. Just behind that truck was the north entrance to the two story parking area.
The former entrance is below.
Photo: Brad Peadon
What was originally a McDonalds (closed 2009), later a smaller supermarket, then lastly (I think) offices to do with The Grand development.
It is hard to see inside to work out whether or not any of the original McDonalds fittings still exist. I am hopeful this may be revealed during the demolition.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
The western entrance now (above) with it just before closure (below)
Photos: Brad Peadon
Medical centre and main entrance off Evans Avenue.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Eastern entrance off Barber Avenue has yet to be touched.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A better view inside the former BWS, this one clearly showing across the register area to the meat section.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
The rear dock area today. It is where all the action, at least that visible, is taking place.
Two below shows the same location just prior to closure.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The rear dock how it was just prior to closure.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
The small shops and offices at the front seem to be getting stripped prior to demolition.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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4th September 2025
Today I just did a quick drive by to see if much had changed.
With the scene much the same as the day prior, I decided on a break :-)
For one day anyway. -----------------------------------------------
