Latest news with #YarraRiver
SBS Australia
20 hours ago
- General
- SBS Australia
Reconciliation Week: Remembering the past, educating for the future
Warning: This story contains reference to deceased Aboriginal figures SBS Indonesian 03/06/2025 07:16 Some Melbourne dwellers may not consider second glances as they cross the Queens Street Bridge, since the view of the river from there might not strike them as being different to that of other parts of the Yarra River. However, around 140 years ago, in that very location stood a waterfall that played a role in how white settlers named the river itself. The traditional name for what we know as the Yarra River is actually Birrarung, or the River of Mists. The waterfall that was blown up as part of Melbourne's development was called the 'yarra yarra'. Miscommunication between the indigenous and the settlers ended up in the river being named the Yarra river. The obliteration of the waterfall was merely one of many actions taken by the settlers in changing the landscape that carries extremely high importance to the First Nations people. Rob Hyatt from Koorie Heritage Trust said that despite the many changes endured by First Nations people in Victoria, we can still find traditional historical elements that remain, as if bearing witness to survival. However, the survival of Victoria's indigenous peoples are not merely marked by what is left, but also what is being brought forth to this time, such as artworks and literatures by First Nations creators that help the wider community understand Australia's indigenous culture - a highly important step in manifesting reconciliation in its truest meaning, Hyatt said. Rob Hyatt from Koorie Heritage Trust. Credit: SBS Indonesian/Dina Indrasafitri Landmarks representing the struggle of First Nations people also stand outside Melbourne city center. An example is the Stolen Generations Marker in Fitzroy. On May 26, the Yarra City Council held a National Sorry Day Event to honour the Stolen Generation who were forcibly removed from the families by the government of the day. Listen to the full podcast. Listen to SBS Indonesian on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and don't miss our podcasts.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Andy Lee's mega-mansion causes division as neighbours complain of constant noise and no parking while years-long construction continues on three-storey Melbourne home
Andy Lee and fiancée Rebecca Harding may be on the verge of overstaying their welcome in Hawthorn as construction continues on their three-story mega-mansion. The funnyman, 43, and his partner, 35, have spent the last 18 months restoring a 150-year-old derelict home by the Yarra River in Melbourne. With huge plans to connect a modern build to the Italianate manor, and years longer to go, Daily Mail Australia can reveal the disruptive build has divided neighbours. 'It's noisy. It's been noisy... It's frustrating because it's been going for a year and we've still got a couple more years to go,' one disgruntled person said. Though they went on to add the 'earthworks' was the noisiest portion of the build, the neighbour said nowadays it has 'actually settled down quite a bit'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The funnyman and his partner have spent the last 18 months restoring a 150-year-old derelict home by the Yarra River in Melbourne 'Any building site is noisy... It's hard with parking. The parking is difficult, but any house renovation does that,' they continued. Another neighbour agreed, saying: 'There was digging every day between seven and three. That's ceased. 'At the moment it has quieted down. We've just accepted that it's happening.' Someone else took umbrage with how frequently builders were working on the site, and wondered if Andy knew how noisy the construction was. 'I will say they start at about 7.15am and finish at 5pm and it's been six days a week... It's been continuous noise,' they said. 'Now that they've started on the build, it's a lot of hammering and the builders do like their loud music. 'And of course the parking. It's wasn't considerate to the neighbours in that it was six days, not five days. I'm not sure Andy Lee is aware of the continuous noise. 'I think there could have been more consideration to the neighbours... I didn't realise it was three stories.' The source went on to say the radio star and his partner invited all the neighbours over to the home before they began renovations in 2023. 'We had a meet with him at about Christmas before last. He did show all the drawings,' they said. 'We had champagne and canapés, but I don't think we were aware of the disruptions it would cause... It's certainly changed the street the last 18 months. 'It doesn't bother me too much, but I can understand everybody else's problems. I don't know how the people right next door to it can stand it.' Others said while construction has certainly been noisy and disruptive, they have grown used to the sound as there are often renovations happening on the street. 'We're going with it. It's been really noisy today. I don't know what they were doing. It changes all the time. We don't really have a complaint,' one person said. 'We know it's going to go on for years... We've had other builds go on in the street and they've taken years. We're used to that. I'm not going to complain. 'I can't understand why they're doing what they're doing. Why didn't they just live in the old house? Fix it up.' They added: 'The construction and the digging up of the ground, there has been big trucks... We're used to it.' Despite the constant noise and disruption to parking, other neighbours are glad someone has swooped in to fix up the old rundown home. 'It had gotten into a terrible state of disrepair before [Andy] started doing renovations. So it's actually looking better than it has looked for the last ten years,' one said. 'There were squatters there before. I think it's great that he's doing it. I wish it would be finished already. 'I think he's doing a great job. He's obviously not scrimping on costs... It's going to be better than the decrepit house that was there before. I think it's going to be beautiful.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Andy and Rebecca for comment. Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5million having begun in 2023. The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought for $8.5million in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild. The couple won council approval for their development application back in June 2023. Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876. Other highlights planned for the 1,950 square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'. In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address. One neighbour told the Sydney Morning Herald in December the construction cacophony had caused the couple to lose 'a lot of community goodwill'. 'The noise is just horrendous,' the disgruntled neighbour told the publication. 'Some residents just leave—they go away for a week at a time and come back on the weekend.' The publication also reported residents are angry over construction noise which had continued for 26 weeks. The noise was due to piling reinforced steel pillars and it was also reported dust from 'constant' rock breaking, had coated the solar panels on nearby houses.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Grim discovery in abandoned fishing trap near popular Aussie track
For over three weeks, walkers along a popular Aussie track had no idea that something was rotting in the river below. It was only when Trevor Davy scrambled through dense bush, rubbish and leeches that he found four abandoned nets and the lifeless body of one of Australia's most remarkable animals inside. The 63-year-old has become an expert in purging Melbourne's Yarra River of discarded fishing gear and other items dumped by tourists like barbecue skewers, knives and broken glass. He was walking along a 15km stretch in Warburton, east of Melbourne, when he discovered the drowned platypus. 'As soon as I saw the nets, I knew what was in it. The poor bugger had quite a violent end to his life the way he was entangled,' Trevor told Yahoo News Australia. Platypus are listed as vulnerable to extinction in Victoria, with habitat destruction and degradation, and poor water quality leading to a significant drop in numbers and distribution since the early 1990s. Related: 💪 Banning of 'morally outrageous' fishing trap a major win for platypus Another frequent killer of the animals is the Opera House net, yabby traps that funnel aquatic life into an enclosed space they can't escape. While they've been banned in Victoria and NSW, other types of nets, when left unchecked, can still drown platypuses, which need to come up to the surface to breathe. 'He died in a standard hoop or bucket net, which people can readily buy,' Trevor said. Although these nets can be used in Victoria's rivers, they need to be tagged with the owner's name and licence number, and the nets found in Warburton were bare. Trevor's foul discovery has prompted the Conservation Regulator, which sits within the department of environment (DEECA), to issue a warning about illegal and unchecked nets. Its chief regulator Kate Gavens urged anyone with information about the nets that killed the platypus to contact CrimeStoppers. 'Platypus, turtles and rakali are at risk of being trapped in abandoned or illegal nets and we are hoping that someone will come forward with information about these nets,' she said. 'Volunteers do a great job reducing the risk posed by abandoned fishing gear to our native wildlife but they shouldn't have to do it. We need everyone to make sure their fishing gear is being used legally to reduce the risk to our native wildlife.' The nets were found off Cement Creek Road, near the bridge in Warburton's famous redwood forest. Assisted by the Conservation Regulator and fisheries officers, Trevor was able to get three of the hoop nets out of the Yarra. 📸 Excited tourists watch 'nature documentary' unfold as predator hunts off coast 🚨 Driver has 'seriously freaky' 30 minute encounter as huge snake blocks road 🏝️ Farmers lead Aussie research team to 'unreal' discovery on island 'We lost a fourth one, unfortunately. As I was trying to pull the rope in, it snapped and dropped down under a rock shelf, and just can't be retrieved,' he said. 'I'm annoyed that I didn't go up there sooner, as I may have had a chance to get him out and set him free. It was an area I don't normally go to that I will be keeping an eye on from now on.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
11-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
City of Melbourne blames state and Commonwealth for stalled Greenline development on the Yarra River
The City of Melbourne's plan to revitalise the Yarra River has stalled, with the council blaming a lack of funding from the state and Commonwealth governments. The Greenline project — which drew comparisons to New York's popular High Line elevated parkway — was announced in 2022 by the then-Lord Mayor Sally Capp. It was touted as transforming the northern bank of the Yarra, with boardwalks and parks, along with floating wetlands and native insect, bird and fish habitats, stretching from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge. The council said the project incorporated the culture and heritage of the area's traditional owners while meeting the community's calls to improve amenities and the health of the river. Last year's City of Melbourne budget revealed the $316 million project had only been allocated $27 million over four years. On Tuesday night, the council's draft 2025-26 budget will include just $18 million to allow for the completion of the Birrarung Marr stage, which includes the wetlands outside Melbourne's aquarium. But Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece is adamant the project is not dead. "I'm a greater supporter of the Greenline project and it is going to continue," Mr Reece said on Sunday. The Seafarers Rest Park and the Collins Wharf redevelopment in Docklands were also expected to be completed with private funding from developers. But Cr Reece said Greenline had failed to receive crucial state and Commonwealth funding. "We have reallocated some funds in our budget which had been earmarked to be matching funding with other governments, so we can direct those funds to other priority needs across the city." Cr Reece said the money would be diverted to a new North Melbourne community hub and Southbank library. A council spokesperson said the City of Melbourne would continue to "advocate strongly" for additional funding for the future stages of the Greenline project. The council insisted its business case indicated it would create thousands of jobs, attract tourists and be worth millions of dollars to the local economy. But the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Comittee of Melbourne said the money was better spent elsewhere. "We know we've got a lot of fantastic events and facilities already within the city that attracts a lot of people," said the committee's chief executive Scott Veenker. "Was this one of the real pressing or burning platform initiatives that needed to be delivered? We just didn't believe that was the case at this point in time. "Our members say they want a city that's safe and has really good amenity and is accessible as well and I just didn't feel as if Greenline should have been the number one priority for the local government going forward." The ABC spoke to people visiting Melbourne's CBD on Sunday, with all saying they were disappointed the Greenline project may not go ahead. "It kind of looked cool in the pictures … maybe we can still resurrect that plan or maybe it can get up in another three or four years when the right people and circumstances come to power so we can do good things," one man said. "Oh damn", a cyclist responded when the ABC told him the future of the project was in doubt. "I'm sorry to hear that, that would have been wonderful. I have been to the one in New York and it's amazing." A woman said she believed it would have benefited residents, the environment and the aesthetic of the city "I really support greenlines and Melbourne is such a beautiful city, why not augment that wonderful leafy image that we have. "Reinstate that funding." Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, Harriet Shing, said the project was not a priority for the state government. "Any matters around the Greenline are matters that are best directed to the City of Melbourne," she said.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie Olympics queen Jess Fox posts raw video as she breaks down in tears in her car during 'meltdown'
Jess Fox is Australian sporting royalty given she has won three Olympic gold medals in her decorated career - but the champion slalom canoeist has revealed she still endures tough days like the rest of us. In a raw video recently posted to Instagram, Fox, 30, can be seen crying in her car and having a 'meltdown' before a gruelling indoor training session. Eventually Fox composes herself as the elite athlete knew what was required, mainly the importance of 'showing up and getting it done.' The clip continues with Fox put through her paces in the gym - while wearing an oxygen mask. Close to reaching the point of exhaustion, Fox pushes through the pain, showing why she is a ten-time world champion. In January, Fox turned heads following a memorable entrance to the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. She arrived at the venue in style - on a kayak, naturally. At the time, Fox posted a clip to social media of herself on the Yarra River. In a raw video recently posted to Instagram, Fox can be seen crying in her car and having a 'meltdown' (pictured) before a gruelling training session 'How do you get to the Aus Open?' she says in the clip. 'I just paddle here.' Fox had no previous experience covering tennis, but the Aussie sporting champion, alongside swimmer Ariarne Titmus, was part of the Nine network's coverage across the two weeks of action. She is also believed to be single after splitting from her long-term French partner Mathieu Biazizzo. Daily Mail Australia understands Fox and the Frenchman went their separate ways prior to the Paris Olympics last year. The couple are said to have 'simply grown apart' because of long periods spent apart as each pursued their own canoe careers. Four-time Olympian Fox is currently in a training block ahead of the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith from September 29 to October 4. At this stage, Fox is also working towards the LA Olympics in 2028 - but it remains uncertain if Fox will compete at the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
