🟠 Choo-choo changes

WHAT’S ON 🎟️

• SATURDAY 17/01/26 & SUNDAY 18/01/26, 6.30PM | Ozact’s The Tempest

• SATURDAY 17/01/26, 3PM-MIDNIGHT | Yarra Valley Rodeo

• SUNDAY 18/01/26, 5-10PM | Sunset Sounds

• FRIDAY 16/01/26 | Cherry Picking @ Cherry Hill Orchards

• FRIDAY 23/01/26, 7PM | Cosmic Psychos

• SATURDAY 24/01/26, 7AM-5PM | 5K Foam Fest

📰 THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES

🚗💨 Victoria's second largest polluter is transport. What are we actually going to do about it?

While coal plants and smokestacks are often used to illustrate climate pollution, it's transport in Victoria that's become the second-largest source of carbon emissions over the years.

So, how much of a role can Melbourne’s public transport play in driving down carbon emissions and is enough being done to reach the state’s targets?

Overall, the State Government’s carbon emissions target is to reach Net Zero by 2045, which includes steps to reach 45 to 50 percent below the 2005 levels by 2030 – and 75 to 80 percent by 2035.

Last November, the State Government released its “Transport sector emissions reduction pledge” for the 2026 to 2030 period. The pledge declared the sector was Victoria’s second-largest source of emissions in 2023, accounting for 26 percent of the state’s pollution output.

Almost half of those emissions were found to have come from passenger cars – with train and trams making up about four percent.

In July 2019, the State Government announced all of the carbon emissions caused by Melbourne’s tram network were offset by the 255,000 megawatt-hours of solar power, sourced from two solar farms in the state’s north, meaning more than 400 trams on Melbourne’s iconic network are carbon neutral.

According to the Public Transport Users Association, travelling on an electric tram often involves less than one-quarter the carbon emissions of driving an electric car.

All SRL East rail infrastructure, stations and buildings will be powered by 100% renewable energy, while energy regenerated during train braking will be used to power other trains on the network.

Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand chief executive Lauren Streifer said there needs to be a “generational shift in how Australians move” to allow Victoria and Australia to reach their emissions targets.

“By investing in transport and city design that puts people and communities first, we can cut emissions, create healthier places to live, and build a future where our cities and regions truly thrive,” said Streifer.

Read the full story here.

❤️ A flood of support for south-east imam after “terrible, hateful attack”

A man accused of attacking an Islamic religious leader in a road rage incident has tried to jump out of the dock after being refused bail.

Brendan Nicholls, 23, made the application in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being charged with criminal damage and assault.

It's alleged Nicholls and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man abused Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday.

Police say the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South at about 7.40pm when the occupants of a small black hatchback allegedly targeted them.

The couple's vehicle was boxed in and the accused allegedly drove dangerously to intimidate them before getting out and kicking the imam's car.

Imam Purdic was allegedly punched in the face while his wife was called a "Muslim b****" during the incident, the court was told.

Bystanders intervened before the accused allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Imam Purdic said he and his wife were “in shock” and glad their children were not with them during the attack.

“Australians must fight against hate, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all bad things,” said Imam Purdic.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan said she condemned the “terrible, hateful attack”.

“There is no place for Islamophobia, no place for this sort of hate anywhere in Victoria,” said Allan. “I want to say very clearly to the Muslim community, but particularly to Muslim women, that I will fight and support your right every single day to live freely in this state, free from hate and also fight for your right to move around our community safely and with dignity.”

In a statement, opposition spokesperson for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs, Evan Mulholland, said the Liberal and National parties would “continue to speak out whenever individuals or communities are targeted because of who they are or what they believe”.

"The Liberals and Nationals unequivocally condemn all forms of religious and faith-based violence,” said Mulholland.

In a statement, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the incident had been “incredibly distressing” for the community.

“The Dandenong region is home to the most culturally diverse community in the nation,” said Williams. “Attacks like this seek to divide us, but I know our community will respond with kindness and care.”

Read the full story here.

🧑‍⚖️ ”He stole my dog”: Accused double killer's court outburst

An accused double killer has proclaimed "I'm innocent, he stole my dog" during a court hearing where he claimed the legal process had been unfair and time-consuming.

Ross Judd, 35, has been charged with two counts of murder after a pregnant woman and a man were found dead inside a home in Melbourne's south-east last year.

Police found the bodies of Athena Georgopoulos, 39, who was five months' pregnant, and a 50-year-old man at a Mount Waverley property on August 11.

Neighbours called for help after hearing yelling coming from the property at about 9.20pm, with a second call to police made before officers arrived at 9.50pm, police say.

Judd was arrested later that evening, while accompanied by two large dogs, at Westall Railway Station.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon via videolink from prison for a committal mention.

Judd's defence lawyer asked the court to adjourn the case until March to allow his legal team time to get a psychiatrist to assess him and write a report.

If he is found to have been mentally impaired at the time of the alleged double murder, he may plead not guilty by way of mental impairment.

Judd will return to the court on March 31.

Read the full story here.

SEEN THIS WEEK

Heat: The invisible natural disaster

During my chat with Archie Milligan from the National Account earlier this week, I spoke about my recent chat with Sweltering Cities executive director Emma Bacon. She said heat should be considered as urgent as any other natural disaster, despite the effects of it often being seen as “invisible”.

Watch the video below.