Vending machines have come a long way over the years. From selling sodas, these machines now feature items you wouldn’t normally purchase from a coin-operated machine.

In France, you can now get baguettes in the evening even if the bakeries have closed. Thanks to Jean-Louis Hecht for coming up with a baguette vending machine. He has two vending machines near his bake shops and according to Hecht, the machines have partially cooked loaves in them. Customers can then get steaming baked baguettes in their hands with the push of a button.

On the other hand, Italy boasts of pizzas coming out of machines. Don’t expect frozen pizzas from this machine as it actually makes use of water, flour, fresh vegetables, and tomato sauce before customers can dig into their slices of hot pizza. Some pizza vending machines offer ham, vegetables, and cheese flavours.

Next, Abu Dhabi has something up their vending machines, too. This time, they’re offering something heavier. No it’s not an entree. They’re actually selling gold bars from their machines. Wealthy resort guests are usually the target market of this kind of vending machine.

Not to be outdone, Australia has something quite useful in their vending machines, too. Customers just need to pay the machines $20 and out pops thongs, the preferred footwear of Australians.

According to Havaianas, they will be putting more thongs vending machines in the country within the year. As of posting time, the first machine disposing Havaianas can be found at Westfield Mall in Chatswood, North Sydney.

According to Emma Kowaleczko, “Innovative ways of advertising and marketing have become increasingly difficult to gain cut-through within the market.” On the other hand, Professor Charles Areni says that it is becoming a trend in Australia where vending machines selling daily consumer products are concerned.

Down in Melbourne, talks about upgrading Yan Yean Road have been heard a plenty recently. In fact, public information sessions were scheduled on the 26^th and 27^th of August this year. These sessions were held at Plenty Hall. In relation, about 850 Yan Yean residents have been duly informed about the project.

Plans included in the upgrade of Yan Yean Rd may include the re-alignment of River Ave. In light of these project plans, there has been public acquisition proposals to ensure the best outcome for the upgrade project. The issue about these acquisition proposals is that houses will be demolished. On the other hand, the former Plenty Methodist Church, which is now heritage-listed, will stay intact. Furthermore, Mr. Robert Freemantle, the Executive Director for  VicRoads Network and Asset Planning Division, informs the public that an overlay for proposed public acquisitions will be on exhibit until the 30^th of September. He adds that “All issues lodged during this period are considered by VicRoads.”

Simply put, lawyer Andrew Blogg ofAitken Partners, explains that it is safe to say that such overlays have a tendency to be bigger than what was originally planned. In such cases, houses which will be part of the acquisition overlay will be receiving notices of the acquisition. Blogg has also been a partner for the mentioned law firm since 1990. Currently, Blogg is the Managing Partner of Aitken Partners.

That being said, residents of Yan Yean Rd are bothered. Records show that more than 80 properties will be affected when the upgrade plans are approved. Truth be told, families living in Yan Yean Rd have been having sleepless nights due to the impending acquisition approval. For them, the property is more important to them as compared to the compensation they were going to get from the acquisitions.

Read full article here at Diamond Valley Leader