18 July 2012

Andrew Barr saws the plank to open Masters at Majura Park

| johnboy
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masters opening

Andrew Barr is spruiking the Woolworths group lastest venture, Masters Home Improvement, now open out at the airport.

This morning I joined Ben Camire, National Operations Manager of Masters Home Improvement, to officially open Canberra’s first Masters Home Improvement store at Majura Park.

The new Masters store will contribute some 170 new jobs and boost employment located at Canberra Airport towards 11,000 workers.

It will also give consumers more choice in the growing retail precinct at Majura Park. This means a wider selection of places to shop and greater convenience and value, which can only be a good thing for ACT residents.

Masters Home Improvement is a joint venture between Woolworths and US-based home improvement chain Lowe’s that has been established to compete for a market share in the Australian big-box warehouse retail sector.

The end of Bunnings as the centre of civic life in Canberra?

[The rather clever sawing of the plank in favour of cutting the ribbon courtesy of Minister Barr’s facebook page]

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Chill out there.
There is public art and private art. The former is paid for by people who have no input into the issue (you and me) and the former is paid for solely by the individual who is sponsoring it.
I notice the Canberra Airport private art was commisioned by the Federal Minister for Arts (Simon Crean) and not Mr Barr. The Airport piece is certainly more tasteful than the ACT government efforts.

Actually, no. “Public art” means art that is in the public domain. The term does not connote public funding. Public art can be commissioned by government, equally it can be commissioned by the private sector. The sculptures at the airport are public art, just as much as the pieces the ACT Government is responsible for. What you’re talking about is government-funded public art.

dungfungus said :

nsn said :

dungfungus said :

SnapperJack said :

EvanJames said :

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard.

Not to mention a sparkly blue helmet and the karaoke track for Macho Man.

He wanted to look like the builder guy in the Village People.

Oh I get it – because Andrew Barr is gay! HAHAHAHA! You are so witty!

dungfungus said :

Pork Hunt said :

dungfungus said :

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

Don’t forget the artworks…

As soon as I had sent the post I knew I had left off the public art. Thanks for spotting it.

Right. Because public art is evil and wrong and is a folly that only the ACT Government would ever spend money on, not a sensible businessman like Snow. Oh, wait: http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease09_2Jun.pdf
http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease12_2Apr.pdf

Chill out there.
There is public art and private art. The former is paid for by people who have no input into the issue (you and me) and the former is paid for solely by the individual who is sponsoring it.
I notice the Canberra Airport private art was commisioned by the Federal Minister for Arts (Simon Crean) and not Mr Barr. The Airport piece is certainly more tasteful than the ACT government efforts.

I meant the latter is paid for by the private sponser.

nsn said :

dungfungus said :

SnapperJack said :

EvanJames said :

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard.

Not to mention a sparkly blue helmet and the karaoke track for Macho Man.

He wanted to look like the builder guy in the Village People.

Oh I get it – because Andrew Barr is gay! HAHAHAHA! You are so witty!

dungfungus said :

Pork Hunt said :

dungfungus said :

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

Don’t forget the artworks…

As soon as I had sent the post I knew I had left off the public art. Thanks for spotting it.

Right. Because public art is evil and wrong and is a folly that only the ACT Government would ever spend money on, not a sensible businessman like Snow. Oh, wait: http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease09_2Jun.pdf
http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease12_2Apr.pdf

Chill out there.
There is public art and private art. The former is paid for by people who have no input into the issue (you and me) and the former is paid for solely by the individual who is sponsoring it.
I notice the Canberra Airport private art was commisioned by the Federal Minister for Arts (Simon Crean) and not Mr Barr. The Airport piece is certainly more tasteful than the ACT government efforts.

dungfungus said :

SnapperJack said :

EvanJames said :

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard.

Not to mention a sparkly blue helmet and the karaoke track for Macho Man.

He wanted to look like the builder guy in the Village People.

Oh I get it – because Andrew Barr is gay! HAHAHAHA! You are so witty!

dungfungus said :

Pork Hunt said :

dungfungus said :

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

Don’t forget the artworks…

As soon as I had sent the post I knew I had left off the public art. Thanks for spotting it.

Right. Because public art is evil and wrong and is a folly that only the ACT Government would ever spend money on, not a sensible businessman like Snow. Oh, wait: http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease09_2Jun.pdf
http://www.canberraairport.com.au/media%20releases/MediaRelease12_2Apr.pdf

EvanJames said :

Their prices on Weber Qs seemed particularly good.

enough reason to go

Martlark said :

Do they have dodgem utes to get around? That’s the only way you’d get me travelling that far to pick up a bag of 200×3 inch nails and a charity sausage.

They have giant weird shopping trolleys to put children in, they’re like the fronts of trains. And as for charity sausages, they had the sausage thing going outside…. staffed by Masters people! Maybe they were raising money for their wages.

Pork Hunt said :

dungfungus said :

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

Don’t forget the artworks…

As soon as I had sent the post I knew I had left off the public art. Thanks for spotting it.

qbngeek said :

Is there anything Barr won’t open??

The new mosque at Gunghalin?

SnapperJack said :

EvanJames said :

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard.

Not to mention a sparkly blue helmet and the karaoke track for Macho Man.

He wanted to look like the builder guy in the Village People.

Had a brief look on the way past. As Evan mentioned, the place is well-lit with sets of 4 x T5 fluoros. They only seem to have Hitachi and Bosch as “brand” power tools, and then only the odd blue professional Bosch. Some OK prices, but not brilliant. The Hitachi battery gear is all the old “casette” style as opposed to the newer slide-on version, which is a bit weird. No 7″ angle grinders. Great range of drill bits from Sutton and Bosch. Great range of tools, most of which are higher-quality than Bunnings, and a lot which you wouldn’t find at Bunnings, such as micrometers and weirdly, the only digital calliper they stock is one that displays fractions.

They stock a *full* range of electrical fittings including switchboard gear, fish tape, TPS and orange PVC up to 6mm2. A quick look in the timber yard indicated their range and prices are similar to Bunnings. In the mower section they stock the odd Hitachi machine as well as Honda. Oh, and they do stock Sikkens paint.

So contrary to my expectations, the range is extensive and high-quality, and the floor is very shiny.

troll-sniffer said :

Anyone read the crimes article on this new enterprise today? Online was where I did wade through it. Not sure the journo tasked with massaging the spin, or the subbie tasked with finding its spot in the layout even amended the provided copy by one word. I guess cost-cutting is important at a newspaper but seriously, make some effort to make it look like a news article, not a piece supplied in ready to print format!

It was a bloody ad rather than a news story.

Loved how it mentioned the welcomed ‘competition’ Masters would bring, forgetting to mention that Woolworths already owns 3 hardware stores in Canberra/Qbn. This just builds a bigger duopoly.

Is there anything Barr won’t open??

dungfungus said :

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

Don’t forget the artworks…

Do they have dodgem utes to get around? That’s the only way you’d get me travelling that far to pick up a bag of 200×3 inch nails and a charity sausage.

troll-sniffer3:44 pm 18 Jul 12

Anyone read the crimes article on this new enterprise today? Online was where I did wade through it. Not sure the journo tasked with massaging the spin, or the subbie tasked with finding its spot in the layout even amended the provided copy by one word. I guess cost-cutting is important at a newspaper but seriously, make some effort to make it look like a news article, not a piece supplied in ready to print format!

EvanJames said :

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

You are correct EJ – I was just being cynical in speculating that Stephen Byron had finally conceded that there will never be scheduled international flights to and from Canberra.
Seriously though, the Snow family should be applauded for the incredible business enterprise they have created around the airport. Imagine what the place would be like if the ACT Governmnet had bought the Airport instead. Probably would be covered with arboretums and bicycle tracks/speed cameras.
Any chance we can get the Snows to run for government in October?

dungfungus said :

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

I think “canberra airport” is the address location of that Masters shop, so it’s like a district or precinct.

Er, Canberra Airport?
What happened to Canberra International Airport?

Bunnings…. is in trouble. This is something way out of their league. I’d recommend getting there during a weekday or during evening opening… it’ll be a zoo come the weekend.

it’s very light and airy and shop-like… and HUGE. White polished concrete flooring, lots of bright lighting, very wide aisles and you can peer down and see everything, trouble is you get lured down them. Massive range of everything, way bigger than Bunnings.

Great for hardware-y stuff, and also home furnishing/decorating stuff. Crazy over-hyped-up staff who hound you and want to be your friend. I’m not sure it’s cheap across the board, but with the huge range, you can probably do better if you’re careful. My current pricing point, pvc water piping, is much cheaper at Masters than Bunnings (Bunnings are reaming on that), but it’s cheaper still at a plumbing place. Not by much though.

Noticed a lot of American stuff, which is good. Garden area was very impressive. Punnets of things are all $2.98, good value. Amazing range too. Lots of those potted colour things for $2, looked very good. Huge range of stuff in bags, and stakes and garden arches and things. Biggie for me was the really interesting range of assorted plastic glasshouse things, from tiny table-top things to full walk-in ones. And garden beds that were essentially wading pools with no metal bits, just a shaped plastic bag. And variations on that theme.

great range of proper string! I got a ball of sisal string. $2 for 60m. And my other score was a 100mm bolted trap screw (flangey end for 100m pvc pipe) for $5.90. Bunnings price is near $20 for the same thing.

Had no hope of seeing even a quarter of it. So far I’m very pleased.

Their prices on Weber Qs seemed particularly good.

EvanJames said :

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard.

Not to mention a sparkly blue helmet and the karaoke track for Macho Man.

nailed it

EvanJames said :

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard. Those hand saws are bloody dangerous, they’ll take your leg orf.

Don’t forget the safety chaps and possession of a saw operator’s certificate.

davo101 said :

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

yes, damn it! He needs a hi-vis vest, helmet/goggles/earphones, armoured gloves, steel-capped boots, knee-protectors, and a mouth guard. Those hand saws are bloody dangerous, they’ll take your leg orf.

I bet it was pre-sawed.

I had a look at their online cattledog and it’s intriguing. OK, it’s lunchtime! I’m off to view the plants’n’pooh.

artuoui said :

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

I don’t know who’s in charge of health and safety but that gentleman in the middle sure needs to go to re-education camp, not a single piece of safety equipment on him and, good Lord, is that a tie?

The staff are keeping a safe distance.

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