Author Archive: Editor 2
Alfred Still Aims For Us
Expected Path
Tuesday Afternoon Update ... Now showed as aiming for deception Bay.
We remain in the expected path of the effects of Cyclone Alfred. Today's forecast shows it coming ashore at the north end of Bribie Island.
Being on the south side we expect some strong winds Thursday night/Friday morning.
Path forecast of Tues Afternoon
Path forecast of 4/3/2025
Alfred Update Mon 3rd March
Get Your Supplies Yesterday
An update as at 2:00pm Monday
The local Woolworths at Bluewater Square, and I suspect Margate, are completely OUT OF bottled water. And I suspect Toilet paper.
Also, the queues to check-out are Longgggg.
For water backup, we bought some new plastic buckets from "crap-tastic" just across the lobby from Woolworths.
Latest Track
Updated forecast tracking issued Monday 3rd March 2025...
Latest cyclone track shows the landfall is expected further north of us than shown yesterday. This does not help us much as the strongest winds will be south of the eye.
Landfall now shows as happening about 4:00am Friday. See the track shown below.
As we get further into the week we will monitor the changes and report back here.
See also the official details published by Bureau of Meteorology...
and TV/Radio/phone alerts.
Latest Track
Cyclone Alfred Alert
Prepare Balconies
There is a chance that the Cyclone Alfred will be a direct hit on Redcliffe around Thursday 6th March-Friday 7th March 2025.
Here are some path predictions as at Sunday 2nd March:-
The images show the forecast path. The dashed line shows the closeup location where the cyclone is aiming at the Redcliffe Peninsular.
Be Prepared
A near miss with a cyclone (Oswald) happened on Australia Day weekend 2013. Winds were very strong at Waves and most items on balconies were blown away. This included chairs and tables. a glass balcony panel was shattered. All from remnants of a cyclone that went ashore north of Bribie Island.
This time we are in the firing line.
Some Recommended Actions:Either bring all balcony furniture inside or Gather furniture items together and tie them to a balcony column with strong rope.
Remove any items hanging on balconies.
Plants should be brought inside, or taken to your parking bay
Ensure your sliding doors and windows are fully closed and latched. This is important as when fully closed, the doors and frames interlock for added strength. Do not leave doors open even a few millimetres. Our doors and windows are built with glass rated for strong winds.
25 Marine Parade
Planned Building Next Door to Waves
Newsflash -- 5-Nov-2024
Some disturbing news for Waves.
The vacant lot next door at 25 Marine Parade looks likely to become a high rise apartment building.
Click the link below to see the basic plans for the site.
Watch For Scams
Be Aware Of The Risks
We detail here several examples of how scammers may try and get money from you.
Believe it or not, several of these methods have been successfully played out by scammers against Waves residents who have been victims of some of these scams.
The examples given have all been successful against Australians of all ages, even those aware that such scams exist.
Never act in haste when making deals or making payments.
- You just ordered something online (Amazon, JB, etc.) and you get an email saying there is a Address / ID / tracking issue. You're expecting something so click through because you're distracted.
- You've been having issues with your PC/Internet (which you don't understand at all) and you get a call from someone saying they've identified the issues and can help you fix it.
- You're selling something expensive online and the person says they're happy to transfer the full amount into your Paypal or bank account first so you can verify you have all the money. (You still get scammed in the end)
- Never do a deal where you are asked to buy gift cards to make a payment or to keep your money safe. It’s a scam every time.
- A family member/friend send you a text message that they have dropped their phone in the toilet and need some cash right away. They can’t talk to you as the phone is not working. Don’t send money, it’s a scam.
- You do a deal with someone from another city/state for a car/caravan/pure-bred dog/cat. They ask for $xxx now with the balance paid when you collect/receive the item. Don’t send money, it’s a scam.
- You're looking to get an AirBNB and hit a good value listing. They send back a cancellation (double booked) but with some similar alternatives that are also great value. You click the email provided link to a fake AirBnB site unknowingly.
- You answer a phone call and the caller knows your first name. Then they ask you to tell them your details so they can confirm they are talking to the right person. They could be from NBN, Telstra, a Bank, Credit Card company (Visa/Mastercard) etc. Next they ask you to download and install some needed software so they can fix your problem. Don’t do it. Hang-up, it’s a scam.
- You saw a great deal on Facebook by someone you have not dealt with previously and that deal expires today. Click the link and make the payment with your Visa/Mastercard. Goodbye money. You may receive a package with a rock in it.
- You have been conversing with a business via email and get the final request from them with bank payment details. Turns out the companies email account was hacked and that last email came from the hackers.
Maybe this next one will not happen here as we have few who work.
- Your "boss" emails you out of hours and says he wants to get everyone gift cards as a small bonus for this Friday. Could you get some from the shops this evening and email him the numbers? Please use the company credit card.
Money When Travelling
Wise Money App for Your Travels
If you are planning some overseas travel in the future, you might consider signing up for a WISE account.
WISE is not a Bank, but an international money system with a Visa Debit card. The card has a micro-chip and works as a contact-less payment card. Just wave it near the payment terminal presented to you when making a purchase. You can load almost any foreign currency onto the card and the exchange rates are way better than Visa/Mastercard or Bank rates. You load the card initially with Aussie dollars, and convert however much you want to spend in the foreign currency using the app on your phone. You will need internet or Mobile Data at the time of transfer. Easy.
I travelled recently to USA and relied heavily on my Wise card for shopping, sightseeing and transport. It worked better than I expected.
Some benefits are
- the great exchange rates and no MCD/Visa 3% rate surcharge,
- being able to choose almost any currency,
- paying very small charges.
There is a $10 fee for your physical Wise card, but if you use the affiliate link I have for you below, you will be offered the physical card free.
Here is the link to sign-up and get a free Wise card:- Sign Up To Wise
Convert Currency
Got Home with Money Left Over
So after your travels, you have some Euros, GB Pounds, Vietnam Dong, Indonesian Rupees, and whatever left on your Wise card.
Easy, using the App just convert the foreign balances back to Aussie dollars and spend the money at Woolworths. Coles, Aldi etc.
Coming Events
WOW Afternoon Drinks Nov 22nd
Women of Waves! A reminder that Wednesday November 22nd at 3pm, Vicki is hosting afternoon drinks at her apartment #23, East Tower.
Bring your drink of choice and a small plate to share (not necessary). Come anytime after 3.
WOW Luncheon
Also the WOW luncheon will be Friday, December 1st at noon. Venue is the new-look Belvedere.
Men of Waves
Not to be out done, Men of Waves will gather for a lunch also on Friday the 1st December at noon.
Location is most likely to be the Redcliffe Tavern.
Your Unit’s Tiles
Tiles at Waves
The tiles inside your Unit and on your balcony are your responsibility and you should check them regularly and maintain them.
They will mostly look after themselves so it is not a big task. Failure to maintain them can cause you significant expense.
Maintenance involves ensuring that pooled water is swept to the nearest floor drain. Any missing grout should be replaced as soon as possible.
In your shower areas, always make sure that all water drains away after use. This is important to minimise water seeping into the screed layer beneath the tiles.
If you see any yellowing or oozing near the silver strip at the bathroom doorway, you have a problem that will only worsen.
Here is a sample of the problem area:
Tile Edge Oozing
The primary objective should be to minimize water build up and pooling on the shower floor. This can be achieved by wiping up any residual water with an old towel after each use. If the shower floor drains as designed and all water drained away within say, 15 minutes, then towel drying the floor should not be needed and you are probably not seeing any of the tell tale signs described above.
Another suggested action is to have the tile grout lines in the shower stall treated with a quality sealant, thus minimising water penetration.
If your bathroom floors have degraded to the degree of the one shown above, then the only viable fix is a complete re-tile of the floor, which would entail new membrane applications, new screed and tiling. Several Units have already gone through this process and at the same time have fully modernised their bathrooms.
The money spent will always be recouped any time the unit might be sold.
Problem Area
Problem Detail
Nearby Development
The Location
The old yellow house on the corner of Marine Pde and Ella St looks set to be replaced soon with an 8 storey 24 Unit apartment building.
The property shows it was recently sold for the second time this year. It had Development Approval (DA3833) for the new building.
On 27th September 2023 there was a large drilling truck there with a team drilling deep test holes.
The design shows 8 levels, with 3 Lots on each level, and 2 levels of below ground parking. Most lots have two stacked parking bays and bicycle storage.
There is no indication of when the development might begin.
Fibre Internet at Waves
Updated with New Pricing from December 2022
This article updated as TPG and iiNet have increased prices for new customers. It is still a great deal for a great service.
Waves now has about 18 units connected and all are happy with the service.
Latest Technology News – Internet
TPG Communications has connected a glass fibre network connection to our building.
This opens up opportunities for those wanting faster unlimited internet services to help resolve some video streaming issues.
You can sign up via TPG or via iiNet. iiNet is a TPG subsidiary company. Internode is another option.
You also have an opportunity to save on existing NBN internet costs, depending on your service speeds and capacity packages.
Today, 22-June-2021, four units were connected to the recently available TPG FTTB (Fibre To The Basement) at Waves.
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Things to Consider Before Switching
- You may be locked into a contract with your existing internet provider
- You may be using an email address bundled with your existing NBN provider.
- You may have an existing Mobile phone bundled with your existing NBN provider
- You may be getting some other bundle add-ons from your existing NBN provide
- Another thing to consider is your use of a “landline” phone number. The packages offered by TPG offer a new phone number, and differing levels of included calls, from pay-as-you-go to included. If you want to retain the landline number you may currently use, then the number can be “ported” across to TPG in lieu of getting a fresh number. To port the number to TPG, you will need to speak to their Sales Dept on 13 14 23
If you only use a mobile phone, then the free included phone line with the TPG-FTTB packages may be ignored.
DISCOUNT COUPONS
There is also a secret TPG Coupon you may be able to use that will waive your first month charge.
The coupon to try is FTTBFREE1 note: coupon may have expired
If you are an iiNet NBN customer, then you can sign up with them. They have a promo code at present of ULTRA6 for 6 months @ $79.99. This may be only for new iiNet customers – not sure…
for TPG Sign Up: TPG Link or Phone 1300 403 211
for iiNet sign up: online – iiNet Link or Phone 13 19 17
TPG Package Details Below (iiNet are Similar)
Basic Bundle
New Pricing applies to new connections from December 2022
This bundle costs just $59.99 per month $79.99 for the first 6 months, then 89.99 per month and would suit internet usage for emails and web browsing.
With a download speed of 90 Mbps, it would be way faster than any of your prior ADSL2 or NBN connection.
Upload speed is 17 Mbps,
Is very suitable for video streaming.
Includes a phone line with Pay As You Go. Call rates are good, but most people today use Mobile Phones.
see TPG for further details
Before Travelling
So, You Are Heading Off For a While
Background: At a nearby group of strata units, a recently widowed elderly gentleman, lets name him Harry, headed off on a lovely cruise around Australia.
The cruise was about three weeks. Whilst gone, one of his neighbours noticed they had not seen him for a couple of weeks and they alerted the local police.
Police visited the home and could not arouse anyone inside, because they were gone for three weeks.
Then the concerned police broke down the front door of the unit and discovered that it was vacant and there was some travel information on a table.
Harry arrived home a few days later to find that his home had been invaded by the police, and door had been temporarily fixed.
Moral of the Story
This recent story shows how it is important to let your neighbour(s) know when you will be gone travelling, and an approximate return date.
In cases such as this, it is up to the Owner/Resident to repair all damage done when emergency services make a forced entry.
Oh, and don't forget to isolate the water to your Unit. Make sure all un-needed appliances are turned off/unplugged.
Birds
Please do not feed the birds. Yes, they are great to see and hear, but they should not be encouraged.
Doing so can attract them back to other residents balconies where they can leave a mess on the balcony rail or glass.
They can feed themselves in Nature.
Tiles Choice
Please vote (A or B) on your favourite replacement tile for our front stairs and podium level.
Both tiles are rated non-slip for outside walkway areas.
email your vote to the Committee at bcwaves17@gmail.com
Votes closed 11th July 2022 and the majority (about 95%) voted for Tile-A which is named "Canyon Ash"
Thanks to all who provided their input.
Balcony Doors
Your Balcony Doors
The doors to your balcony have an aluminium strengthener bar at the opposite end to the door handle.
This should not be used as a handle to slide the door, as I found out. The beam is there to weatherproof and strengthen our doors in the case of a cyclone, or strong winds. It is only held in place at the top and bottom by two small stainless steel screws.
I used it once too often to slide the door open, and the lower screw came out of its anchor point. Luckily I was able to re-attach the beam at the bottom by carefully locating the screw in its original anchor hole.
Alum. Brace Beam
The small stainless steel screw is at the bottom. Just under that is the hole for roller height adjustment.
Local Development
4-8 Sutton Street
We have learned that an eight storey apartment building is to go ahead at 4-8 Sutton Street. Works are scheduled to commence soon.
From the plans, it looks like it will be an attractive building.
One negative comment is that it will use rubbish chutes from each level for rubbish disposal.
There will be some two bedroom, some three bedroom and 2 four bedroom units. 26 Units in all. Most will only have one parking bay.
If you wish, click the Download Plans button here. It is a large file of over 10 Mbytes.
New Oven
Fagor Thermostat Unreliable
The thermostat on our original Fagor oven was proving unreliable. Time for a new oven.
We searched several stores and on-line and settled on a Westinghouse replacement (model WVE614SC).
As we did with our dishwasher, we found the new one at Good Guys.
We collected it at the North Lakes store. luckily it fit into our vehicle.
Installation WVE614SC
This is one item that needs a licensed electrician to remove the old one and install the new one. The unit has the wiring direct connected to a mounting block inside the back of the oven.
Upon removal of the old oven, we discovered a few discarded cigarette butts from the original installers. Thanks guys for being so messy.
The Sparky had to re-route the power wiring from one side of the back of the cabinet to the other and the new Westinghouse had it connecting on the left (when looking at the oven front). It is a tight fit, and there was not an extra 15mm between the back of the new oven, and the rear wall. Trying to install the new oven with its cable crossing over the supply to the cooktop meant the new oven would not push all the way back as needed. Re-routing the oven wiring solved that issue.
Oven Model
New Dishwasher
Goodbye Fagor Dishwasher
Our dishwasher has been failing to shut off the water supply when done washing. Luckily it has a over-full sensor that detects a high water level, and then pumps out the water in the base. The slow leak of water getting past the infill solenoid would cause an overfull condition about once per hour. To manage this, I would need to turn the tap off after each time we used the washer. And on again to do the next wash.
Time for a new dishwasher.
Hello Bosch SMS40E08AU
Looking around at many brands, we settled on the Bosch model: SMS40E08AU. This we bought at Good-Guys.
Installation is fairly easy. Once I had the new hoses and power fed through to the undersink cabinet, the new unit slid cleanly into place.
The old Fagor model went to the metal pile at the Clontarf tip.
Dishwasher
Microwave Replacement
Failing Fagor
Our original Fagor microwave oven has been loosing its heating power and taking longer to heat/cook foods.
We wanted a new one that would fit into the same space and match the built-in look of the old Fagor.
With the tip from Fiona and Ned, we started hunting for the Artusi models. They had replaced theirs some time back and it looked close to the original.
The one we found was the Artusi AMO31TK model. This was ordered from AppliancesOnline and due to stock shortages and shipping delays, it took nearly two months to arrive.
Installation
The installation instructions that came with the unit were minimal. They left out some important details.
After unpacking, we found 4 small plastic bits that were not mentioned anywhere in the manual. These turned out to be important, and NEEDED to be screwed onto the base of the new unit.
The oven came with a paper template, showing where the rear bracket needed to be screwed to the floor of the cutout space. Yes, you need to remove the existing one from the original oven and use this new bracket as it fits into a small slot in the back of the new oven.
The install instructions mention removal of all packing items and plastic. The important point here is that the new unit comes wrapped in a thin plastic wrap that covers the vents in the top of the oven. Be sure to peel all the plastic off so that vent holes are open.
Plug in the cord, switch on, then slide the new oven into place. You may need to jiggle it a little to ensure it connects properly with the rear support bracket. Screw the front hold-down screw in place, and you are done.
NBN Internet Outage
NBN Splitter Boxes
What Happened to Your Internet
After a lightning storm on Saturday 31 October, there were several reports of intermittent internet issues which ranged from drop-outs to slowdowns for about 10 days.
Several NBN technicians worked on site to fix individual unit connections.
Then at about 2:00pm on Thursday 12th November, half our building lost all internet.
Investigations by some committee discovered that one of the two grey boxes shown above, was nice and warm, and the other was cold.
The one on the left was the cold one and it served the whole West tower of Waves. Several owners were advised to let their internet suppliers know what we had discovered. Sadly there is no direct phone number for contacting NBN.
Due to the number of calls to NBN retailers, the NBN dispatched a pair of technicians who turned up at about 6:30pm Thursday evening. They set to work on replacing the faulty splitter and had the job completed by about 9:00pm.
The splitter unit on the right as shown supplies the east tower. It will likely fail at some stage but the crew were not interested in replacing both units until the next one fails.
Several people who do work from home at present were adversely affected by the outage.
Strangely, the splitter units are old Optus supplied equipment and bought by NBN. The NBN technicians reported that the company that manufactured them had been closed for about five years.
The new unit installed Thursday is a more compact model by another company.
Fingers crossed that the right hand splitter continues to work.