Melbourne's Southern Cross Station is a gateway for commuters and visitors to the city, but experts say secret data shows the air quality poses a health risk to workers and passengers.
  • In short: Data detailing the air quality at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station has been released for the first time.
  • It shows nitrogen dioxide levels in parts of the station have regularly been more than 90 times the guidelines set by the World Health Organization.
  • The Victorian government and the station’s operator say they’ve been meeting Australian workplace standards.
  • maegul (he/they)English
    7•10 months ago

    Yea well, putting a bunch of buses and diesel trains under an enclosed roof was always going to have problems like this. That sort of thing should be at an open air station.

    As much as I like the design, this seems like some precious architect was allowed to do what they wanted and no one actually engineered the problem.

    Seems similar to fed square actually (it’s clearly not a well designed public square however much you like the design of the buildings).

      • maegul (he/they)English
        3•10 months ago
        • it faces or looks onto a road and tram stop.
        • a bunch of buildings obstructs any view of or access to the much more pleasing river and kings domain and st Kilda rd, which should be the focus of attention.
        • it’s slanted down toward swanston as though you’re not supposed to be there. Additionally, there’s no central focus or attraction to make it seem like a place you can just hang out in. The back of the square feels and looks exactly like that, the back of some area. The stage and screen kind of make it a place but only when they have something on.
        • all the eateries are expensive and “fancy” rather than providing just normal stuff for people to consume not as an event but an act of gathering and communing with each other. Beer deluxe might be an exception but that’s literally outside the square.
        • no shade or trees or greenery.
        • only sitting area is on the swanston street edge looking, again, at the tram stop rather than the river or anything interesting inside the square.
        • the building designs are fine, I don’t mind them, but I don’t think they’re interesting or special, there’s nothing about them that make you want to be there and look at them IMO.

        I’d compare it Southbank with IMO works better. It’s in the river, has trees, places to just be (sitting on the river) and more varied dining options.

        • @tombruzzo@aussie.zone
          3•10 months ago

          I’ve heard from people as well that sloping towards Swanston means there are all those wide steps on the way down to the street.

          There are not enough flat surfaces for people to put up tables and properly run a market.

          • maegul (he/they)English
            2•10 months ago

            Yea, just another example. The local Sunday market instead runs on the west side of swanston st near the arts precinct but would actually work very well in fed square if it were flat … and if there were shade … and if the buildings were more interesting.

            Kinda highlights how fed square is a very self centred design, it’s not meant to be anything other than fed square. We’re not meant to add to it or modify it.

          • maegul (he/they)English
            3•10 months ago

            Yea, as with my points, there’s sure few things like that where once you notice it you realise you dislike it. Like food or drinks, why isn’t there anything normal and decent to get there?

            Truth is, apart from when the screen or stage is being used, it’s a glorified footpath.