Melbourne-Cairns flight path up for review - Sydney Morning Herald

Travel Incidents

Aviation authorities will review the flight path between Melbourne and Cairns after two passenger aircraft came too close and had to take evasive action.

The aircraft involved were a Qantas 737 bound for Melbourne on August 30, 2013 and a Tiger Airways A320 on the reverse leg to Cairns, both using a two-way route.

At 4.24pm an air traffic controller noted a "conflict alert" as the two jets came within 25km of each other at the same altitude over southwest NSW, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report said.

Both flights were instructed to turn right and return to a safe separation distance.

"As a result of this occurrence, Airservices has advised the ATSB that they will review the Melbourne to Cairns air route with regard to creating one-way routes," the investigation report said.

No one was injured in the incident which the ATSB categorised as serious.

AAP

OK for 2000 homes, 5 CBD towers - The Age

Another tower will join the cluster in Docklands. Photo: Jessica Shapiro

An apartment tower at the site of an historic art deco building and another using a revolutionary construction design are among five towers to be fast-tracked through the approval process on Tuesday.

The five towers are reportedly worth $557 million and will create more than 2000 apartments, with claims it will create up to 4000 jobs.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy described it in a statement as "the largest number of private residential permits made on one day by the state government".

The towers include the National Trust-recognised, 1930s commercial building at 420 Spencer Street, West Melbourne. The building was originally built for Australian Glass Manufacturers.

Fairfax Media has asked Mr Guy's office whether the facade would be retained and is awaiting a response.

More than two years ago, Mr Guy approved 32 storeys and 368 apartments at the site, but announced in a statement that a further six floors and 70 more apartments were now included in the $70 million development.

Another tower to be approved is the pencil-thin $100 million office-apartment tower at 464 Collins Street. The site's historic facade, the three-storey Makers Mark building, is expected to be kept by developer, Equiset Grollo. The tower will be 55 storeys high and is opposite the Rialto.

Equiset has previously used a revolutionary H-shape construction technique, which uses no columns, to build on super-thin building sites, notably the Phoenix Apartments in Flinders Street.

A'Beckett Street, near Elizabeth Street, will be transformed with two towers. The largest – a 63-storey, 632-unit tower worth $164 million – will replace a series of shop fronts and a car park.

The second, on the corner at 398 Elizabeth Street, will see a strip of shop fronts replaced by 466 apartments over 55 storeys, valued at $135 million.

The fifth development expected to be approved is an 18-storey, 360-unit tower at 395 Docklands Drive, Docklands.

Mr Guy dubbed the approvals it "Super Tuesday".

"Demand in Melbourne's high-rise, high-density market is strong with recent surveys showing Melbourne now having more apartments being sold than Surfers Paradise," Mr Guy said in a statement.

He said the state was tackling housing affordablity and concerns about high-rise development in Melbourne suburbs.

"These 'Super Tuesday' approvals reflect the new Plan Melbourne policy in action with the delivery of an expanded CBD," he said.

"Melburnians have made it clear that they want their suburbs protected from high-rise apartment development. To achieve this we're delivering density in defined locations like Melbourne's CBD and the Docklands – not in our quiet suburban streets," Mr Guy said.

Melbourne's best food for $5 - Good Food

Scrumptious food doesn't have to cost the earth. A few coins is all you need. Let the new Good Food Under $30, out Saturday, be your guide.

Simone Egger

• Melbourne's best cheap eats: the 2014 Age Good Food Under $30 awards


• Full list: the award winners


• Food trends: Healthy and hot

What's a meal worth? Sometimes, it's worth walking that extra few blocks in a precious lunch hour to get some pork belly in your belly. You can eat out - and eat well - in this town for as little as $5.

A five-dollar feed should only take five minutes. You probably won't need cutlery, you definitely won't need a booking, but it may cost you in personal space - balancing on one cheek at the edge of a communal table or bar, or jostling along a queue.

Five-dollar-friendly places typically have short menus. They specialise in just a few dishes and aim for high turnover (no bookings, no lingering).

This means always fresh ingredients are used, and businesses can capitalise on economies of scale - buying fewer ingredients but in bigger quantities. The fast, cheap feed has proved such a hit that businesses are opening multiple outlets. Roll'd opened its first reimagined Vietnamese cafe-takeaway in 2012; it now has 15 franchised outlets across Melbourne. Made Establishment's Jimmy Grants souvlaki bar, in Fitzroy, has three more Jimmys slated to open this year.

But Melbourne's version of the fast food chain is a highly individualised one; there's industrial-edged furniture that's probably made locally, and there's a good chance there'll be an original mural.

As well as the chains, there's an abundance of stand-alone eateries where you may be ordering in a language that's not your own, and eating as though you were thousands of kilometres from Melbourne.

Here's what you can get for a fiver, and where to get it, as recommended by Good Food Under $30's crack team of reviewers - and endorsed by Caroline Chisholm.

Bagel

A ''five and dime bagel with a schmear'' ($5) from Bowery to Williamsburg (16 Oliver Lane, city, 9077 0162), until 11.15am. Seven varieties of bagel range from rye and beetroot to sour cherry and onion. Of eight schmears, you could choose lemon curd, peanut butter, or cream cheese with black caviar, or shallot and dill.

Sushi

Sushi rolls ($2.80-$3.70) from Hinoki Japanese Pantry (279 Smith Street, Collingwood 9417 4531) are masterful. Assemble their raw, spicy salmon sushi roll yourself, the rice and filling wrapped separately from the seaweed so it stays crisp. You could also grab a small seaweed salad from the fridge to go with it (priced by weight).

Dim sim

''Jimmy's steamed dimmies'' ($5) are three chicken, cabbage and lemon zest dim sims from Jimmy Grants (113 St David Street, Fitzroy, 9416 0060). Or, swipe warm, spongy wholemeal pita through not-pink taramasalata ($5) that's whippy, smooth and salty.

Pho

A cup of beef or chicken pho ($4.90) at Roll'd (rolld.com.au; eight city locations, plus outlets at major shopping centres). Or, try their rice paper roll ''soldiers'' ($2.80-$3.80) with fillings such as barramundi, soft-shell crab, and barbecue chicken.

Pastries

Pastries, pastries everywhere. Try a spinach, sumac, lemon and onion pie at Mankoushe ($5; 323 Lygon Street, Brunswick, 9078 9223); cheese pie at A1 ($3; 643 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 9386 0440 and 203 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 03 9794 9500); spicy lamb or cheese and spinach borek ($3) from Borek Bakehouse (481 Elizabeth Street, city) or just up the road at its Queen Vic Market window. Or, bite into a piece of sourdough pizza, a ricotta and cheese triangle or half-calzone ($4.50-$5) at organic bakery-cafe Fatto a Mano (228 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 9417 5998); or an African-spiced lamb sausage roll ($4.50) or hand-cased pie (smashed potato and roast chicken, maybe, $5) at the pastry palace of Zumbo (14 Claremont Street, South Yarra 1800 858 611).

Taco

Bucking the $6 baseline price for a taco in this town, Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria (339 Victoria Street, Brunswick, 9939 3661) offers its soft, corn tortilla-based babies for a fiver. And, if you're in the west, quesadillas, tacos and tostaditas ($4.50-$4.70) are all made from scratch at La Tortilleria (72 Stubbs Street, Kensington, 9376 5577), where they stone-grind corn, bake tortillas and pile 'em high with free-range pork.

Pizza

A slice of pizza at Shawcross ($5; 324 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 9419 9596) is cut from a mammoth 22-inch thin-based Fat Tony (margherita) pizza; good any time of day, essential at 3am on a Saturday or Sunday.

Bahn mi

Banh mi ($4.80) at Nhu Lan (116 Hopkins Street, Footscray, 9689 7296, and 152 Victoria Street, Richmond, 9429 5545) are full and fresh - a blast of hot, cold, sweet, salty and earthy. And its veg salad roll gives the pork version a run for its money; really, it costs $2.60, and replaces cold cuts with crisp-fried shallots and crushed peanuts.

Dumplings

Split a serve of xiao long bao dumplings (eight a serve, $10) at Shanghai Street (146 Little Bourke Street, city, 9662 3226, also at 342 Little Bourke Street and 64 La Trobe Street, city). A plate of these pretty, pleated, porky squirters never lasts long.

Jaffle

The humble jaffle ($4.50) gets a shake-up at FT Tuckshop (2 Charles Street, South Melbourne 0497 660 246) with nine types of jaffle, including house-made spag bolognese, or strasbourg and cheese, plus specials, which might be ''the cheeseburger'' ($5) with beef, tomato sauce, mustard and pickles - that's a jaffle remember.

Bao

How about a soft, almost marshmallowy-cased pork belly or silky tofu gua bao ($4.20) at Wonderbao (Literature Lane, off Little La Trobe Street, city, 9654 7887)? Other steamed buns include shiitake, tofu and veg ($2.20), and egg, Chinese sausage and shiitake ($3.50).

Pizza & pie

A range of goodies come in under $5 at Oasis Bakery (Shop 9, 993 North Road, Murrumbeena, 9570 1122) - triple cheese pie, spinach and walnut triangle, cheese and chilli pizza or cheese and za'atar pizza. An extra dollar will buy a falafel.

Congee

A bowl of congee (rice porridge; $3) at HM Quan (Shop 5, 68-82 Hopkins Street, Footscray, 0432 423 979) is a real meal and a real treat - squatting, as you do, on low bamboo stools in the fake-grass-carpeted dining room. Choose from 15 types of congee, from kimchi to caramelised fish.

Roti

Roti canai ($5) at M Yong Tofu (formerly Grand Tofu; 314 Racecourse Road, Flemington, 9376 0168) is a flaky roti and small serve of chicken curry. More than half of the entrees at this counter-service Malaysian restaurant are $5 or under - veg curry puffs (two a serve), chicken satay skewers (two a serve), spring rolls (four a serve) and spinach dumplings (two a serve).

Eggs

For an extra 50 cents, the McPorgie breakfast, an English muffin stuffed with ham, emmental cheese and creamy scrambled eggs costs $5.50 at Porgie and Mr Jones (291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, 9882 2955). It must be one of Melbourne's best-value breakfasts. The same deal, this time called the McPony, costs $5.90 at Snow Pony (95 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene, 03 9816 8911). And a variation on the theme, the ''Pick me up please'' ($5.90), is a brioche roll filled with bacon, tomato chutney, scrambled eggs and cheddar, available at Friends of Mine (506 Swan Street, Richmond, 9428 7516).

Gelato

For sweets, a small serve of gelato ($4.50) from Gelateria Primavera (Spring Street Grocer, 157 Spring Street, city, 9639 0335), in seasonal flavours such as pistachio, cardamom and turmeric. Or a scoop, of, say, Nutella swirl ($5), from Pidapipo (222 Faraday Street, Carlton).

The Age Good Food Under $30 will be available for $5 with The Saturday Age this weekend from participating newsagents, while stocks last. It is also available in selected bookshops and online at theageshop.com.au for $9.99.

Residents' amenity fears over Port of Melbourne projects - The Age

Port Melbourne residents fear a perfect storm in traffic congestion from the $1.6 billion Port of Melbourne expansion and the 250-hectare Fishermans Bend urban renewal plan.

The Napthine government is expected to announce by the middle of the year the winning bidder for the big new container facility at Webb Dock.

Helen Kuchel, of community group Port People Inc, said Port Melbourne and Garden City residents were worried about a big increase in truck traffic, increased noise and flooding light from the port expansion.

Ms Kuchel said the community was disappointed about the level of consultation. ''There has been a nonexistent level of transparency and involvement of the community,'' she said.

''It has [not been] what they promised us, they have become very secretive and selective about what they tell us,'' she said.

Ms Kuchel is concerned that traffic modelling for the port expansion is not considering the cumulative impact of the Fishermans Bend urban renewal plan that is expected to add 80,000 residents to the area in 30 to 50 years.

The Port of Melbourne said the expansion project would improve transport links and redirect port traffic away from residential streets and on to the freeway.

Ms Kuchel was concerned community benefits to be included in the port expansion process had been watered down, including a new ''linear park'' to act as a buffer between the port and local community.

Ports Minister David Hodgett said the port capacity project would include ''high-quality buffer areas that reduce operational noise, improve amenity while creating well-connected spaces''. He said there would also be new cycling and pedestrian paths, a new foreshore area called Maritime Cove and an observation deck at Webb Point.

Mr Hodgett said there had been a ''wide consultation program with local communities, councils, port users and industry bodies''. He said further design information would be released next month.

Port Phillip Council mayor Amanda Stevens said the port expansion should include new community infrastructure, such as open space and new community facilities in the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting Westgate Park to the port buffer area.

Local Labor MP Martin Foley said there had been a lack of community consultation over the port project. ''What we do know is that we will be flooded with up to two million truck movements by 2025, inadequate buses, a pencil-thin linear park with ferry lights on it and unresolved issues of noise and light pollution,'' he said.

The port expansion comes amid growing industry and political discussion of privatising its operations. A port insider said the lease of the port to a private operator was inevitable. ''It will be sold, I think the announcement will be made before the state election,'' he said.

He said the only remaining questions were the scope of the sale - how long the lease would be for and whether Hastings Port and Station Pier and the cruise industry would be part of the sale.

Mr Hodgett said the government had ''no current plans to sell or lease out the Port of Melbourne or the Port of Hastings''.

Melbourne's top 10 best burgers - Herald Sun

Melburnians have developed a delicious love affair with the burger and bun. Source: News Limited

WHAT was first sniffily thought of as little more than a passing fad has been heartily embraced by our cityand burgers are here to stay.

We’ve fallen under the spell of charred meat in a bun, served everywhere from fine-dining restaurants to travelling food trucks.

BEST EATS: TOP 100 VICTORIAN FOOD EXPERIENCES

MATT PRESTON: MELBOURNE’S TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL RESTAURANTS

GET IN EARLY: BEST MELBOURNE BREAKFASTS

Our best burgers have many things in common: the beef is first-rate, whether wagyu or black angus, and usually grass-fed.

The accompaniments are made from scratch, whether house-made pickles or tomato relish.

Buns are sourced from artisan bakers. And, importantly, everything is freshly made and cooked to order.

Because when it comes to these new-wave burgers, fast food is now definitely worth the wait.

Fat Bob's- The Jackie O burger, wrapped in chip basket with a beer from Fat Bob’s on Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin. Source: News Limited

1. Jackie O ($15.50) at Fat Bob’s

The location of Fat Bob’s – hidden at the back of an industrial estate – makes for a mean adventure. The fact pay-off on finding it is so great only makes it more fun. With its vintage neon signs and All American vibe, in Fat Bob’s case it’s the destination, not the journey.

MAIN EVENT: The Jackie O takes a 180g beef patty (made from grass-fed happy cow) cooks it medium, melts fontina cheese over it and whacks it between a toasted pain de mie bun (from Bakery Lievito) filled with tomato, lettuce and onion. Mustard, tomato and Fat Bob’s special sauce (a chutney and mayo mix) add zing to this beaut burger that delivers from first bite to last.

ON THE SIDE: Zucchini chips are a guilt-busting addition, and there are 20 beers from around the world to wash it all down.

DON’T WANT BEEF? Kewpie mayo, slaw and coriander give an Asian twist to the Victa, a chicken burger with a difference.

80 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin; ph: 9555-0909

fatbobs.com.au

The Oz burger with a Merrywell Spider and chips from The Merrywell at Crown Riverside. Source: News Limited

2. Oz Burger ($14) at The Merrywell

At Crown’s pub on the river promenade the signs in the window pronounce their burgers “Pink and Juicy”. And that they most certainly are.

MAIN EVENT: Get the napkins ready – Merrywell’s burgers are puddle-forming juicy. The fat Black Angus patty made from a 70/30 mix of chuck/rump and fat, simply seasoned and cooked medium-rare, would rate just on its own, but add in a runny-yolked fried egg, melted cheddar, little chunks of sweet pineapple and bursts of pickled beetroot, well, you’ve got flag-flying burger Australia can be proud of. The soft damper bun eschews the brioche craze and the burger – and its fans – are all the better for it.

ON THE SIDE: Take a cherry cola float and some Merrywell chips that you dunk in bacon aioli (brilliant!).

DON’T WANT BEEF? The Fishmonger, with pickled fennel and chipotle mayo, is a punchy take on fish in a bun.

Cnr Clarendon St and Crown Riverside, city; ph: 9292 7468

themerrywell.com.au

FORBIDDEN TREATS: MELBOURNE’S BEST DESSERTS

WHY WE LIVE HERE: YOU’RE NOT A MELBURNIAN UNTIL...

PIN-UP CITY: IF MELBOURNE WERE A MOVIE, IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE THIS...

The Wagyu burger with chips and dipping sauce from South Melbourne Trader in Cecil St, South Melbourne Source: News Limited

3. Wagyu Burger ($15.90) at South Melbourne Trader

Near the South Melbourne Market this unassuming little cafe is turning out one of the best burgers in town.

MAIN EVENT: Since it arrived on the menu eight months ago, the wagyu burger has “gone gangbusters” – and with very good reason. The patty – cooked pink, gloriously juicy – is simply seasoned and speaks for itself. It’s supported by some house-made Jamaican jerk sauce that adds a perfectly pitched amount of heat, while the house pickles add terrific tart crunch.

ON THE SIDE: Hand cut chips – skin on, fried to a crisp – come with the burger and are also great.

DON’T WANT BEEF? The barramundi burger with tarragon relish is a perfect pescetarian substitute.

14/111 Cecil St, South Melbourne; ph 9696 3938

tsmt.com.au

Tuckshop Takeaway in Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield. Source: News Limited

4. Major Burger ($11.50) at Tuckshop Takeaway

When two Fat Duck alumni decide it’s time to trade in their fine-dining aprons to flip burgers, it’s time for the rest of us to take notice. In just six months Clinton and Karina Serex have established Tuck Shop’s reputation as the home of some of Melbourne’s best burgers with a side of lipsmacking nostalgia thrown in. Redskin milkshake anyone?

MAIN EVENT: Two choices: the minor or the major. Both come on a Noisette milk brioche bun and have lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheddar and Tuck Shop’s special sauce (a mix of tomato sauce, mustard and mayo) but the Major also comes with a free-range egg and bacon. Clinton makes about 180 patties each morning from three different cuts of grass-fed Gippsland beef and there’s no back-up supply so once they’re sold out – usually by about 8pm – it’s fish and chips up the road.

ON THE SIDE: Tuck Shop calls its chips ‘cuts’, which are SA-grown desiree potatoes that are hand-cut, skin-on and thrice-cooked. Sweet tooths are sorted thanks to Karina’s daily selection of retro lolly-inspired cakes, tarts and soft serve ice cream.

DON’T WANT BEEF? Try the ‘veggie-wedgie’ burger, with a patty made from beetroot, lentils and brown rice.

273 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North; ph 0431 406 580

http://ift.tt/1plkTSO

The Umami burger with chips, dipping sauces and ‘slaw from Nshry on Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park. Source: News Limited

5. Umami Burger ($22) at Nshry

With its prime beachfront real estate overlooking the bay, you’d be forgiven for thinking Nshry might leave the heavy lifting to the view. Thankfully their burgers put paid to any such notion.

MAIN EVENT: Named after the fifth taste (“pleasant savoury”) the Umami Burger takes a 200g wagyu patty, gives it a “rub” of dried mushrooms and cooks it to a juicy medium rare while gruyere melts atop. It joins caramelised onions on the base of a toasted brioche bun, while a large parmesan crisp adds a great dose of salty, cheesy crunch. It’s so good it’s no wonder this is the most popular item on the menu by a mile.

ON THE SIDE: Served with great beer-battered chips that beg to be dunked into the spicy chipotle, wasabi mayo or tomato sauces that come with, a side of slaw and a few cornichons complete this very pretty picture.

DON’T WANT BEEF? With miso pumpkin, crisp fried shallots, daikon and wasabi mayo, the slow braised pork burger is a riot of colour and flavour.

129A Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park; ph: 9682 1077

nshry.com.au

The Royale with cheese beef burger from Royale Brothers in Church St, Brighton. Source: News Limited

6. Royale with Cheese ($12) at Royale Brothers

Thanks to Pulp Fiction, the Royale with Cheese has been immortalised around the world. The boys from Brighton’s The Pantry have taken it as inspiration for their latest venture that opened in December.

MAIN EVENT: Served in wax paper and a brown paper bag, this burger captures all that is right with its namesake and then raises it to new heights. Pickles, onion, mustard and mayo provide sweet-sharp saucy back-up to the patty’s lead. Lettuce is a controversial addition to the glossy sweet milk bun - though not unwelcome – while the Royale sauce adds a surprising touch of spicy heat.

ON THE SIDE: Coney Island cocktail, jalapeño salsa, onion gravy or more of that spicy tomato sauce are all available to dip the good chips into.

DON’T WANT BEEF? You could try the fish, chicken or jerk pork versions, but really, here it’s all about the Royales.

rear 1 Church St, Brighton; ph: 9005 4242

royalebrothers.com.au

The Classic Beef Burger from Local Burger Co on Rathdowne Street, Carlton. Source: News Limited

7. Classic beef burger ($10) at Local Burger Co

Since opening four months ago, Local Burger Co co-owner Evan Kipping says they’ve been “strapped to a rocket”. Locals have packed the corner store since day dot, queuing for their old-school burgers and jam jar shakes.

MAIN EVENT: The Classic is a burger of days gone by made with a modern eye for quality ingredients. A good-sized patty made from chuck and brisket with a 70/30 ratio of meat to fat – Australian beef, of course – is teamed with thick tomato slices, a bit of lettuce, house-pickled onion and the “Local Burger Co sauce” (pickles, mayo and tomato sauce). It’s a walk down memory lane that tastes better than the original ever did.

ON THE SIDE: Sweet potato fries make for a nice twist, especially when washed down with a vanilla malt shake.

DON’T WANT BEEF? Haloumi, eggplant and Granny Kipping’s tomato relish turn the mushroom burger into a meat-free marvel.

687 Rathdowne St, Carlton North; ph: 9347 7561

thelocalburgerco.com.au

Double Patty Smash burger with Kraft cheese from Rockwell and Sons on Smith St, Collingwood. Source: News Limited

8. Double Patty Smash Burger ($11) at Rockwell and Sons

Dude food gets the clever treatment at Rockwell and Sons, but it’s their sandwiches that keep the crowds coming back.

MAIN EVENT: The double patty smash burger is a triumph celebrating – and elevating – the most humble of ingredient, the Kraft single. This burger is a juicy, oozy triumph. On toasted brioche, two medium-grilled patties are each dripping with the melted plastic cheese and slathered with a hot-pink Russian sauce-like concoction. Apart from a few crunchy gherkins thrown in for good measure, there’s nothing to distract from its meaty, cheesy goodness.

ON THE SIDE: Craft beer, of course.

DON’T WANT BEEF? The pressed rib sandwich, with dill, fennel and onion, delivers pork with just the right amount of posh.

288 Smith St, Collingwood; ph: 8415 0700

rockwellandsons.com.au

The New York Burger from New York minute in, Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds. Source: News Limited

9. New York ($12) at New York Minute

This little cafe in Moonee Ponds is bringing a slice of America to our ‘burbs in a big way.

MAIN EVENT: The New York is the burger you always wanted to make at home but didn’t know how. It’s a big, rustic take on the famed two-all-beef-patties-special sauce-lettuce-cheese-pickles-onions-on-a-sesame-seed-bun. Free-range wagyu, spinach and toasted Mr Pita buns ramp up the ingredients, while the combination of their “special sauce” and pickles deliver sharp sweetness. It’s a two-hand event in the style of a classic that over-delivers on quality and flavour.

ON THE SIDE: Add some fries and a shake and you’ll have a meal that’ll keep you happy for days.

DON’T WANT BEEF? Spinach, bacon, cheese, tomato and sweet chilli mayo elevates the chicken schnitzel burger to the heavens.

491 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds; ph: 9043 1838

newyork-minute.com.au

Classic burger from the Burger Lounge in Main Rd, Eltham. Source: News Limited

10. Classic ($9.50) at Burger Lounge

For the past couple of years Gerry and Florie Mustafa have been serving the good burghers of Eltham with their very good burgers – a “healthy” take on fast food. And don’t the people love them for it.

MAIN EVENT: The seed-topped sugar-free sourdough bun (from La Madre Bakery) holds a manageably hefty patty made from free-range Gippsland beef. Tomato, lettuce and red onion up the colour, while a good splodge of aioli and tomato relish add saucy goodness. It’s simple done well. You can jazz up their burgers any number of ways, from cheese – Swiss, tasty, even King Island brie or blue – through roasted pumpkin or caramelised pear.

ON THE SIDE: Handmade onion rings with garlic aioli or thick cut chips with rosemary and salt hit the spot with precision.

DON’T WANT BEEF? There are heaps of lamb, fish and veg options (more than 20 all up), but the crumbed chicken, with honey mustard mayo, Swiss cheese and caramelised onion is hard to go past.

902 Main Rd, Eltham; ph: 9431 4500

theburgerlounge.com.au

Qantas is set to cut jobs and sell its Melbourne Airport terminal. Source ... - Herald Sun

Tony Abbott supports allowing Qantas to be majority overseas-owned, but won't be offering financial aid.

EXCLUSIVE: QANTAS is gearing up to axe 5000 jobs and sell its terminal at MelbourneAirport to prove to the Abbott Government it can make the tough business decisions required to obtain federal assistance.

The airline may also take the razor to its budget offshoot Jetstar, slashing jobs and routes, as it lobbies the Government to provide it with a lifesaving debt guarantee.

Job cuts, previously forecast to be 2000, are now expected to be closer to 5000.

The Herald Sun has been told up to 1500 of those jobs could come from the executive and support divisions of the Qantas group.

Qantas is set to cut jobs and sell its Melbourne Airport terminal. Source: News Limited

A large number of jobs will be abolished by the end of March as the airline seeks immediate savings.

And at least 1000 of the 5000 jobs across the group will go in 12 months.

The national carrier will use Thursday’s announcement of half-yearly results to outline the ways is will slash $2 billion from its national budget over three years.

Final job numbers could change before Thursday.

A Qantas source said the numbers had moved “a bit every day’’ in recent weeks as decisions were finalised, but that the figure of 5000 had firmed up in recent days.

Qantas spokesman Andrew McGinnes declined to put a number on job losses.

“There is lots of speculation about what things we will or won’t announce on Thursday, but we’re not in a position to comment on that speculation,’’ he said.

“We have said that we will be making some tough decisions in order to achieve $2 billion in cost savings over the next three years, which is a consequence of an unprecedented set of market conditions now facing Qantas.”

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has issued his group executives a reduction figure to hit. Source: Supplied

With the airline already forecasting a loss of $300 million, a radical overhaul of operations is being finalised, with the company determined to show real reform in order to secure the debt guarantee it has been seeking from Treasurer Joe Hockey.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has given each group executive a dollar figure in reductions to achieve.

The airline has been negotiating to sell the long-term lease it holds on its terminal at Melbourne Airport, which could raise up to $250 million.

Sources said the airline would not announce anything relating to the future of its Melbourne lease on Thursday, but negotiations are continuing.

The sell-off of the Brisbane lease, which could raise around $150 million, seems set to be announced this week.

Budget offshoot Jetstar now seems likely to face similar cuts, with staff and routes under threat.

Qantas sources seem confident the Government will grant a debt facility, in return charging them a premium if they were to access it.

ellen.whinnett@news.com.au

The ridiculous ladies of The Real Housewives of Melbourne in their own words - NEWS.com.au

The Real Housewives of Melbourne will feature six new housewives who enjoy the lavish, pampered and cultured lifestyle who own private jets, amazing homes and are married to high profile businessmen, including one to a rock star and another to a plastic surgeon

Did you miss the first episode of The Real Housewives of Melbourne? What were you thinking? Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

DID you miss the first episode of The Real Housewives of Melbourne? Why — was the TV not working in your private jet?

Don’t worry — we’ve put in the hard yards for you. Here are the ladies of RHOM in their own words, from tonight’s debut episode:

Gina Liano, 47, South Yarra, barrister

Gina’s catchphrase: “I’ll give you my opinion, but you’d better be ready to hear it.” Picture: Foxtel. Source: Supplied

“Looking good is very important to me, as you can see ...” (gestures to a skin-tight, bedazzled, cleavage-baring minidress that looks as though it was taken from the Brynne Edelsten Collection)

“I have often described myself as the ultimate drag queen.”

“I parent my children in a very Italian way. Italian mothers spend a lot of time focusing on guilt and fear.”

We like you, Gina. You’re our favourite.

Lydia Schiavello, 45, Malvern

Lydia’s catchphrase: “I may look like a jetsetter, but my feet are firmly on the ground.” Picture: Foxtel. Source: Supplied

“We go to our snow house every weekend in the wintertime. Usually we fly ourselves there with the jet. I love fast cars, I love my fast jet, and I love my fast husband ... so it all matches.”

“I am the one who wears the pants at home. [Husband] Andrew’s the one who wears the pants at work. But when we’re together at home, I’m usually hopping in his pants ... and vice versa. So, yes we do share ... (dramatic pause) our pants.”

WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS EVEN MEAN, LYDIA. YOU ARE TALKING IN PANTS RIDDLES.

Janet Roach, 55, South Yarra/Red Hill

Janet’s catchphrase: “When life throws rocks, I melt them down into diamonds.” Source: Supplied

“I never wash my own hair — I always go to the hairdresser. I think it’s important to have a certain level of maintenance.” Janet you’re a person, not an aircraft. You can give yourself a shampoo.

“I actually don’t know anybody who doesn’t have regular Botox.”

“During the week, I live in a boutique hotel in South Yarra. On the weekends I stay on my property in Red Hill.” – Janet, we have so much in common! During the week, I go to work. On the weekends, I lay around in bed watching videos of Pomeranians on the internet.

“I’ve seen clairvoyants, I’ve seen witches, I’ve seen psychics, and Jackie is the real deal.”

Which brings us to ...

Jackie Gillies, 33, psychic and wife of Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies

Jackie’s catchphrase: ““My husband may be a rock star, but now it’s my turn to shine shine shine!” Umm Jackie, this catchphrase only really works if your husband’s Vanessa Amorosi. Picture: Foxtel Source: Supplied

“Do you want to know something amazing? When I unravelled the carpet, I found a little feather (points in wonder at a small feather on the floor, likely from a pillow or cushion). When I see a feather, it signifies that the angels in the universe surround me, supporting my needs and my prayers that I’ve asked for.” It also signifies that you need to vacuum.

“The angels know everything that you do! They know how you think, how you feel, and they know what you want out of life.” Then why didn’t they know I wanted a Tamagotchi for Christmas?

“Yes I have house cleaners, yes I have chefs, yes I go on luxury holidays, yes I have houses overseas, yes I have gorgeous jewellery, but that’s not what defines me.’

“I’m young, I’m gorgeous, I’m fabulous, I’m married to a rock star.”

“Look at my amazing face, I don’t need (plastic surgery).”

You know why we like Jackie? She’s humble.

Andrea Moss 45, skin care specialist, Toorak resident AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT.

Andrea’s catchphrase: “Never come between a woman and her plastic surgeon.” Picture: Foxtel. Source: Supplied

“Toorak’s definitely regarded as the Beverly Hills of Melbourne.” (false: it’s actually regarded as the Toorak of Melbourne.)

“I live in Toorak, I work in Toorak, and I shop in Toorak. Sometimes I feel as though I need a passport to escape from Toorak.”

Can we get Andrea an oversized ‘I HEART TOORAK’ novelty T-shirt please?

“I tend to avoid bitchy women — I’m too time-poor to engage in their crap. But if they say something that gets under my skin, I will have a go at them and they will retreat because I. NEVER. LOSE.” Fun fact: Andrea is an accredited Toorak streetfighter.

Chyka Keebaugh, 45, Malvern

Chyka’s catchphrase: “My fabulous life comes down to love and laughter — not luck.” Source: Supplied

Chyka talked honestly and eloquently about her love for her husband, her children, and the demands of managing the successful catering business she’s built up over the years. It wasn’t very interesting.

LIFT YOUR GAME NEXT WEEK PLEASE CHYKA.

Catch the ridiculous and kind of amazing Real Housewives of Melbourne, Sundays 8:30pm on Foxtel’s Arena Channel.