Latest news with #YarraRiver
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Strong winds blamed for 427 drones falling into Yarra River during Women's World Cup light show
Strong winds have been blamed for more than 400 drones falling from the sky into Melbourne's Yarra River during a light show celebrating the Matildas before the Women's World Cup. The light show, using 500 Damoda drones, was scheduled for the evening of 14 July 2023 over the river in Docklands, in Melbourne's CBD. The drones, part of a show celebrating Australia's women's football team, launched at 6.30pm. Less than two minutes later many began showing critical errors indicating an autopilot failure, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report into the incident, released this week. Shortly after, pilots lost connection to the drones and they began colliding with each other, the ATSB chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell, noted in the report. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The remote pilot attempted to return the drones to the launch site individually, but 427 of the 500 drones were lost, the majority falling into the Yarra. Divers were sent in to recover them, but were only able to retrieve 236 out of the 427 that entered the water, with 191 remaining unrecovered. The ATSB's investigation found that the wind conditions at the time exceeded the drones' capacity shortly after launch, triggering the collisions and errors. 'The wind limit exceedance was not identified by the [remote pilot] as they were unaware that the wind speed affecting the aircraft was displayed on the [ground control station] computer screen,' Mitchell said. The report identified the operator did not have a system to ensure all of its pilots could use the ground control station's software features, increasing the risk of pilots failing to identify potential issues in the lead-up to the show. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion It also found the software did not have the functionality to actively alert a pilot to wind speed exedances. Damoda has advised the ATSB it is considering an update to enable those alerts. 'This incident demonstrates the importance of drone pilots being familiar with all functionality and data provided by relevant ground control software,' Mitchell said. 'It also shows the impact human factors can have on drone operations, and how they should be actively considered and managed.'
News.com.au
29-06-2025
- News.com.au
Search and rescue divers recover man's body from the Yarra River
A man's body has been pulled from the Yarra River, ending an early morning search by rescue divers. The man was spotted in the waters below the Hoddle Bridge in South Yarra by a passing female cyclist around 2.20am. Upon seeing the man in distress and falling below the water, the woman contacted emergency services while attempting to coax the man towards the bank. That was where the man was last seen, his identity remains unknown. His body was recovered by search and rescue divers later on Sunday morning. Search and rescue units were at the scene near the intersection of Alexander Ave and Punt Rd in the daylight hours of Sunday morning. A police boat was on the river managing water traffic while an officer equipped with diving gear searched below the surface just after 10.30am.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Entire flight crew is suspended after passenger makes shock discovery
An entire cabin crew was suspended after a passenger tracked their missing phone to a hotel that airline staff had been staying in. Michael Tjendara claimed his device had been stolen while travelling from Indonesia's capital Jakarta to Melbourne on Garuda Indonesia flight GA716 on June 6. Mr Tjendara said he had placed it in the backseat pocket before moving seats after takeoff and then returning to his old seat to find the device was gone. He detailed the theft on his Instagram account and shared a series of screenshots of the Find My iPhone feature. They showed he had traced the device to a location near the Southbank Promenade. Mr Tjendara claimed the device had been placed close to the Mercure Hotel, where Garuda crew members were believed to be staying. Mr Tjendara said the phone's signal was last tracked between 3.50pm and 4.40pm before it appeared the device was moving towards the Evan Walker Bridge. The final Find My iPhone screenshot appeared to show the device had been dropped into the Yarra River. Mr Tjendara called on local businesses to share information and CCTV footage that could help expose the unknown thief. 'This isn't just about a phone − it's about the safety of all passengers in the future. Please help tag and share this story so the right people see it,' he wrote. The shocking incident has gained widespread attention in Indonesia. In a statement issued on June 9, Garuda Indonesia's Director of Commercial and Cargo, Ade R. Susardi, confirmed the crew members on duty had been suspended. 'We are in continuous communication with the concerned passenger and remain committed to supporting him throughout the follow-up process,' he told Indonesia Business Post. Garuda Indonesia said a company representative had been sent to assist Mr Tjendara on the ground in Melbourne and to help him file a police report. Mr Susardi apologised for the incident on behalf of the airline. 'We can confirm that upon receiving the report, all cabin crew had followed standard operating and safety procedures, including promptly coordinating with airport authorities to initiate a search,' he said.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1 Hotels launches new property in Australia's Melbourne
Starwood Hotels-operated luxury lifestyle brand 1 Hotels has expanded its presence with the launch of a new property in Melbourne, Australia. Situated along 220m of the Yarra River frontage in the revitalised North Wharf precinct, the property is established in collaboration with Riverlee. The property offers 277 guest rooms, encompassing 36 suites, featuring sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies. Guest rooms are equipped with smart thermostats, energy-saving switches, and low-VOC materials while the walls are curated from discarded railway sleepers from New South Wales and Victoria. 1 Hotels founder and Starwood Hotels chairman Barry Sternlicht said: "The opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne marks a powerful moment for our brand as we expand in the Asia Pacific region. "As we grow our global footprint, we're focused on markets that reflect our values—places where nature, culture, and innovation converge in meaningful ways." The property also includes 114 hotel-branded homes, providing residents with private dinners, in-residence spa treatments, a private outdoor terrace and communal spaces with views. The 18th-floor penthouse is designed by Clement Lee OAM, founder of Melbourne-based Riverlee, in partnership with Fender Katsalidis. The hotel's design pays homage to the historic Seafarers Wharf. The hotel also provides more than 1,000m² of flexible event space, including the riverside Seafarers Event Space that can house up to 900 guests. Developed in collaboration with Carole Bamford, the Bamford Wellness Spa features a wellness area with an indoor pool and a fitness centre called The Field House Gym. The hotel aims to garner LEED Silver certification, featuring a 50kW solar array and a rainwater harvesting system. Additional eco-friendly features include shower timers and operable windows in 85% of the rooms. The opening of the Melbourne property follows the launch of 1 Hotel Mayfair in the UK, in November 2023, the brand's first European property, developed in collaboration with Crosstree Real Estate Partners. "1 Hotels launches new property in Australia's Melbourne" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Australian
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Luxury meets sustainability in Melbourne
Experience a first look at Melbourne's brand new 1 Hotel – a place where Victoria's natural environment is celebrated in every element of your stay. 1 Hotel Melbourne is unlike any other experience in the city. A retreat right on the Yarra, the hotel honours the city's natural beauty and vibrant heritage in everything it does. The commitment to sustainability, and reverence for Victoria are reflected in everything from the design elements to the locally-focused menus of its signature restaurant, From Here by Mike. Featuring 277 guest rooms and 114 hotel-branded residences, as well as several dining options, 1 Hotel Melbourne merges luxury and nature through its design and interiors. More than that, it honours Melbourne's heritage in a sustainable way. For example, during construction, heritage-listed materials from the city's old Goods Shed No. 5 were reused and restored to begin a new chapter in the city's story. Decorated with 7000 plants, the interiors of 1 Hotel emphasise its focus on nature. The lush atmosphere is enhanced by light streaming through the expansive glass walls – connecting guests to Melbourne with views of the Yarra River and beyond. Repurposed wharf materials are woven throughout the property's design, used to both enhance the aesthetic and fill functional roles. For example, 1944 bluestone pavers from the old Goods Shed No. 5 have been preserved to form a heritage footpath. Other materials reused include subaquatic wharf timbers, railway sleepers, steel trusses, and even window frames have been restored to celebrate Melbourne's history. Signature restaurant From Here by Mike has been created in partnership with celebrated Australian chef Mike McEnearney. With a focus on local ingredients and a low-waste approach, the restaurant heroes Victorian producers, showcasing the quality and variety of produce available close to Melbourne. Menus will evolve throughout the day, but all retain the same ethos of low waste and sustainably grown food. There will be a focus on local growers, with diners encouraged to learn more about the people behind their meals. The wine list will also focus on local boutique growers, with a map showing the different regions each wine comes from. For those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a drink, the ground-floor Crane Bar and Lounge offers locally distilled spirits alongside Australian wines, in a space designed to encourage connection – both with fellow guests and Melbourne's vibrant surroundings. Wellness is also central to the ethos of 1 Hotel Melbourne, reflected in its dedicated wellness area. This includes a stunning indoor swimming pool, the Bamford Wellness Spa, a gym, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and even ice baths for guests to enjoy. Located on the banks of the Yarra, 1 Hotel Melbourne invites guests to slow down and take time to appreciate everything the city has to offer. Perhaps take a coffee to the gardens outside, or relax with a glass of local wine as you watch Melbourne evenings come to life. Be among the first to experience 1 Hotel Melbourne, where nature and luxury converge to create an extraordinary retreat in the heart of the city. Reservations are now open. To book your stay or learn more, visit 1 Hotel Melbourne.
