Morning Briefing: A City in Transit as the Heat Breaks

The Mood: Relief and Vigilance

Melbourne wakes up this Thursday with a collective sigh of relief as the extreme heat of mid-week begins to subside. Following a Wednesday where temperatures soared above 35 degrees, the city is transitioning from emergency mode back to its usual rhythmic hustle. The mood is one of quiet resilience; while the immediate threat of the northern grassfires has been downgraded, the smell of smoke lingering in the morning air serves as a reminder of a close call. Residents in the outer north are beginning the cleanup, supported by a city that remains on high alert during what has been recorded as one of the driest starts to a year in over a decade.

The Talking Point: Two Weeks of the Big Switch

The primary topic of conversation at coffee carts this morning remains the revolutionary shift in our rail network. We are now twelve days into the full operation of the 13.5 billion dollar Metro Tunnel. For those on the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines, the Big Switch has fundamentally altered the morning routine, with trains now bypassing the old City Loop in favor of the high-tech underground corridor. While the turn-up-and-go frequency has largely delivered on its promise, commuters are still navigating the nuances of the five new stations—Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac. Today, the focus is on how this added capacity is helping the city recover from the transport disruptions seen during yesterday’s heat-induced rail delays, even as residents weigh the impact of the Reserve Bank’s recent interest rate hike on the local housing market.

Feel-Good Story: Welcoming the Year of the Horse

Amidst the infrastructure shifts and summer heat, a vibrant celebration is taking hold. Today marks the launch of several major cultural events as Melbourne welcomes the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse. The narrm ngarrgu library at the Queen Victoria Market is hosting a special Library Cinema series starting today, while the National Gallery of Victoria is alive with festivities, food, and lion dances. Adding to the creative pulse, the Happy Medium exhibition by Argentinian-Australian artist Abe Dunovits opens today, offering a whimsical look at the city’s artistic diversity. These events provide a joyful bridge to the upcoming St Kilda Festival this weekend, reminding us why February remains the pinnacle of Melbourne’s summer calendar.

What to Watch Today

• Weather: Expect a gradual cooling trend following yesterday's 35-degree peak, though a total fire ban may remain in place for parts of the state due to the persistent dry spell.
• Transport: As the Metro Tunnel enters its second full week of service, look out for minor platform adjustments at the new Town Hall and State Library interchanges.
• Events: Tonight is the final opportunity to catch the Candlelight Concert series at Fed Square, featuring a headline performance by Tina Arena and Dean Brady.