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.
Welcome back to the thrilling second instalment of the Eastlakes redevelopment saga — because apparently, watching a huge hole grow required way more than one installment.
This time around, we finally get to witness the demolition of the last remaining structure on the site: the humble switch house. For ages there were various local rumours suggesting that this particular little building was heritage listed, which naturally made its eventual demolition all the more entertaining. As it turns out, the rumours were apparently somewhat more substantial than the building itself. LOL.
With the final structure now consigned to history, the site has been reduced to little more than an increasingly enormous hole in the ground. And while there is something strangely satisfying about watching the site change on a regular basis, there is also a limit to just how many photographs one can take of an excavator sitting beside an ever-deepening pit before even the most dedicated observer starts wondering whether they should perhaps find a more exciting hobby.
Consequently, my visits during this particular stage have become considerably less frequent. Apart from saving a small fortune in fuel, allowing a little more time between visits actually makes the changes considerably easier to appreciate. Returning after several weeks and discovering that the hole has become substantially larger is far more rewarding than photographing virtually the same scene every second day.
I suspect, however, that there is still quite some excavation to go before we finally move beyond the “large hole in the ground” phase and into the considerably more interesting business of actually constructing something.
So, for now, the Eastlakes redevelopment continues its slow and methodical journey towards becoming a building site rather than simply an exceptionally ambitious excavation project.
Stay tuned — eventually, there really will be something to see!
A greatly appreciated message from Jo-anne Greenway saw me hightail it down to the worksite to get the switch house tower finally coming down, thus relieving the whole community of the worrying rumour that it had been heritage listed.
No seriously, that 'rumour' went viral LOL.
Above and nine below RIP switch house.
Ripping into the former structure, with a small hose to keep down the dust not being near as effective as the Moits water trucks during the main demolition.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below. Internal wreckage from inside the switch house.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below. Trucks turning to be loaded with contents from the hole.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below. Trucks full of earth turning out of Evans Avenue into Racecource Place.
First day having to deal with a rude worker, presumably from the Ace side of things.
Given other recent reports from locals, it was always likely to happen. :-(
Man I miss the demo team.
However, todays visit was to check on progress with the last structures on the site. The switch room tower was all but gone, leaving just the lonely trolley bay standing.
Maybe someone listened to my desire to retain the trolley bay and turn it into a memorial shrine and museum for the old mall.
More realistically, it will likely be gone when I return tomorrow :-)
Above and below.
The poor old lower ground trolley bay is looking a little bit nervous right now.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The shot that got the attention of Mr Rudeness. :-(
Very disappointing, after what has been a truly enjoyable experience, and a very educational one for someone who has never covered a project like this before.
Photo: Brad Peadon
XO81PE
Presumably their version of a fuel truck for the earthmoving equipment.
Photo: Brad Peadon
What looks to be exhaust fans from up in the former control tower.
Photo: Brad Peadon
I wouldn't have a clue what this truck was doing.
If you are more informed than me, please email.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
A couple of trucks in the endless flow of soil being removed from the site.
If you truckies read this, see there was no nefarious motive to my photography.
Above: Barber Avenue.
Below: Evans Avenue
Photo: Brad Peadon
The north end of the surviving trolley bay.
Some local vermin appear to have accessed it at some time.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below. The pit from the south-east corner of the site.
Sent emails to Ace Civil and Meso Solutions about the attitude of a worker there.
Meso responded within an hour regarding the matter. They confirmed my thoughts that it wasn't one of their people, for a start, their guys all have Meso hard hats.
Regardless of the bad experience two days prior, I returned for a very quick look today.
The final end had been reached with the trolley bay having been wiped out, paving the way for the continuing dig of the hole.
It looks like the hole is to go up to the west boundary of the site. If this is the case, it will be interesting to see where the sand trucks will be loaded.
Above and four below.
Meso Solutions hard at work clearing up the remains of the former switchroom. Photo: Brad Peadon
It has been nearly two months since my last visit to the site, and, to be perfectly honest, there is only so many photographs one can take of what is essentially a slowly growing hole in the ground before even the most dedicated photographer starts questioning his life choices. :-)
While there has certainly been progress, watching a construction site at this stage is not exactly an adrenaline-fuelled spectator sport. A slightly deeper excavation here, a bit more dirt moved there, and before you know it you have another 47 photographs which look remarkably similar to the previous 47.
I suspect, however, that the excitement will return rather quickly once the actual building work gets properly underway. Once steel, concrete, cranes and all the other assorted paraphernalia of modern construction start appearing, there should finally be something substantially more interesting to point the camera at.
So, for now, we shall patiently await the transformation from large hole to actual building — which, admittedly, is a rather important stage in the process. :-)
I suspect this bus route will become significantly more busy in coming years.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Appears there is an new humanoid entrance constructed near the main gate on Evans Avenue.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Evacuation plan near Evans Avenue entrance.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Looking south-east across the site from Evans Avenue.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
That's gonna be one big swimming pool. :-)
Viewed from the east boundary.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The wall has been extended a little more on the west boundary, interestingly swinging around the power kiosk area.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Looking north-east across the site from Barber Avenue gate.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking northwards over where the sand trucks normally load.
