IT SEEMS THE PAGE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HAS GONE ASTRAY GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) This is probably not the page you’re looking for Increase in cases ‘linked to Ascot Vale’ leads health officials to warn the disease is ‘spreading geographically’ Victoria has seen a surge of cases of a flesh-eating bacteria prompting warnings from the chief health officer to take protective measures after it spread through suburban Melbourne Buruli ulcer has been known to occur in Australia since the 1940s, with cases noted from Victoria to the Northern Territory and far-north Queensland. Victoria’s chief health officer, Prof Ben Cowie, on Friday warned the community about the risk of infection, after a recent increase in cases linked to the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale, in Melbourne’s north. Read moreHe said “cases remained high” across the state “The disease is spreading geographically across Victoria and is no longer restricted to specific coastal locations,” he said in a health advisory Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email there have been 344 cases notified so far in 2024 compared with the same time in 2023 (362 cases) The state’s health department said those affected usually develop a painless lump or wound which can initially be mistaken for an insect bite Over time the lesion slowly develops into a destructive skin ulcer Cowie said everyone was susceptible to infection but Buruli ulcer notifications were highest in people aged over 60 “Prompt treatment can significantly reduce skin loss and tissue damage and avoid the need for more intensive treatment,” he said “The incubation period varies from four weeks to nine months The lesion of Buruli ulcer may occur anywhere on the body but it is most common on exposed areas of the limbs.” Cowie advised people to use personal inspect repellents and to avoid mosquito-prone areas or being outdoors during peak biting times Analysis recently published suggests Buruli has also become endemic in the New South Wales town of Batemans Bay Researchers have studied the coastal town’s two only known cases as well as picking apart 27 samples of possum poo Victoria’s department of health said possums were known to develop ulcers caused by this infection and research has shown that mosquitoes play a role in transmitting the disease to humans The 35-year-old grew up in Palmerston North New Zealand and called Melbourne home for several years aunty and a devoted mother to her seven-year-old son Rachel was found dead at a home on Ormond Road The Daily Mail reports that Rachel's estranged boyfriend Less than two hours later, police were called to the Princes Freeway at Little River, near Geelong, where a man known to Rachel, believed to be her former partner "The exact circumstances surrounding the incidents continue to be investigated however at this stage detectives are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matters," police said Rachel McKenna adored her seven-year-old son Rachel's tragic death has left her family "broken with grief" and looked forward to many adventures with her precious son," her sister Meg wrote on social media forever leaving a hole in our hearts and lives one we never dreamed would impact our family Her uncle Terry added: "Rachel's grandparents many friends are also struggling with this senseless loss." her family urged action to stamp out violence against women "Something must be done to stop violence against women in this country," Meg said Rachel was the seventh woman killed this year, according to Sherele Moody's Australian Femicide Watch Richmond Premiership player Jacob Townsend lived at 9/32 Fisher Pde Richmond Premiership player Jacob Townsend has joined the growing list of Victorian landlords abandoning the state due to the state government’s “ridiculous” land tax changes Townsend’s Ascot Vale three-bedroom townhouse his former home turned investment property goes to auction this weekend with an $820,000-$880,000 asking price The ex-footballer lived at the home while he was with the Tigers but is now planning a permanent move to Queensland after a stint at the Gold Coast Suns in 2021 RELATED: Former AFL heavyweight John Hendrie kicks Gold Coast villa onto the market New listings in Melbourne surge 50% as AFL great Brendon Goddard’s auction stalls Kyneton: Ex-AFL star Nathan Thompson puts his Macedon Ranges oasis up for sale Rendina Real Estate’s director Lou Rendina said that like many other Victorian landlords Townsend had decided to sell his investment property due to the state government raising the land tax payment threshold in January homes owners must pay land tax if their investment or secondary property is worth $50,000 or more compared to the previous $300,000 threshold Mr Rendina said Townsend’s land tax bill had simply become “too high” to retain the townhouse but it just wasn’t viable,” Mr Rendina said The kitchen features granite benchtops and stainless-steel appliances Richmond’s Jacob Townsend celebrating a goal in the 2017 grand final he had noticed many other investors deciding to list their rental properties due to land taxes and the rising cost of complying with increased government regulation of the sector Me Rendina said land tax applied to his own family’s second property And Victoria’s chief real estate lobby group has warned property taxes are cutting investor numbers by the thousands Australian Bureau of Statistics data show 47,775 new investment loans issued in the state in the 12 months to April thousands less than the previous year’s 51,155 total Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Jacob Caine said the organisation had been advocating for a change to taxation settings A sheltered area with a garden backdrop to enjoy in warmer weather Tiger Sam Naismith with Jacob Townsend before the 2024 AFL opening round match between the Gold Coast Suns and Richmond Townsend addressed players before the game Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images Townsend lived at his Ascot Vale townhouse while playing for the Tigers he kicked two goals in Richmond’s 48-point grand final win over Adelaide Fox Footy commentator and Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton described Townsend as one of the AFL’s toughest players Liston Trophy for the league’s best and fairest senior player after matches he played with the team’s reserves side He spent time with the Greater Western Sydney Giants and Essendon before joining the Queensland-based VFL team Southport in 2022 and Broadbeach in the AFL Queensland League in 2023 There’s a main bathroom and ensuite off the main bedroom he gave a speech to players before the 2024 AFL opening round match between the Suns and Tigers Rendina Real Estate’s eponymous director Lou Rendina said Townsend had lived in the two-storey townhouse at 9/32 Fisher Pde and later rented it to a tenant the Flemington Racecourse train station and Riverside Golf and Sports Centre “It’s within walking distance of the Maribyrnong River its walking tracks and the Edgewater estate and Ascot Vale’s showgrounds Jacob Townsend playing for the Bombers in 2020 Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images The open-plan ground floor features a living and dining zone and kitchen fitted with granite benchtops and stainless-steel appliances there’s a bathroom and additional living room while downstairs has a guest powder room and laundry The main bedroom connects to a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite Two of the three bedrooms have balconies and there’s internal access from the garage ceiling fans and split systems in both the living area and main bedroom are among other highlights The upstairs living area could serve as a television room it’s larger than the newer-styles ones that are being built,” Mr Rendina said “There’s plenty of windows that let in lots of sunlight.” An outdoor area wraps two sides of the property providing an undercover space for entertaining and dining Rendina agents Simon Gray and Balli Salyan have the listing The townhouse will be auctioned on Saturday at 2pm Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Mt Waverley: Ash Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer, wife Sue’s ace result for Melb house Doncaster East: Ex-Swans’ forward Jason ‘Jack’ Love selling apartment Oakleigh: Home of Warwick Capper’s ex-brothel on the market in Melbourne’s southeast third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Emergency services were called to a Melbourne home on Friday afternoon after the death of a woman inside the property with a Homicide Squad investigation now underway The Homicide Squad has been called in after a woman was found dead inside a home in Melbourne's north-west Emergency services rushed to an Ormond Road property in Ascot Vale just after 4pm on Friday after being alerted to the deceased woman with police tape also put across Myrnong Crescent - which intersects with Ormond Road Multiple police vehicles were sent to the scene Detectives are now probing the moments leading up to the woman's death "The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and the investigation is in its infancy," a police statement said Anyone with information which could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time public-housing resident Clare Hanson has fought a losing battle against the Andrews government and its multimillion-dollar plan to redevelop the Ascot Vale housing estate in Melbourne’s north-west is now demolished and midway through construction Clare Hanson in the Ascot Vale housing estate on Friday.Credit: Chris Hopkins “They’re double brick,” she says of the units in the estate she has lived in since 2010 “They’re so well built they would last another 100 years with proper care.” Not-for-profit research group OFFICE agrees There are plans to demolish and rebuild hundreds of dwellings – including Hanson’s – across the 15-hectare estate but the group argues that better results would be achieved by renovating A report released recently by OFFICE found the government could make huge savings by just repairing existing buildings The report finds refurbishing a group of flats on the estate’s Ascot Street would cost $182,100 per apartment it calculates a rebuild already underway on the estate at nearby Dunlop Avenue will cost the government $595,170 per apartment once tenant relocations and the loss of public land are factored in It amounts to a saving of $413,070 per dwelling if they were refurbished rather than rebuilt The first public housing units on the Ascot Vale estate from the 1940s have gone to make way for this new 200-dwelling development.Credit: Chris Hopkins “If you look at the kind of cost savings you can get from refurbishment you have to question that [demolition and rebuild] approach,” said the group’s director Described by Premier Daniel Andrews in 2021 as “decaying”, the Dunlop Avenue flats rebuild is part of the state’s Public Housing Renewal Program and will see 100 new social housing units built and 100 new apartments that the state government says will be assigned to moderate-income residents The renewal program will see the demolition of public housing estates across Melbourne It has been attacked by critics as a sell-off of public land and assets A 2017 Melbourne University report found the redevelopment of the Carlton public housing estate from 2005 handed at least $300 million in revenue to developers while also probably lifting property values in surrounding streets An aerial view of the Ascot Vale housing estate taken in 1947.Credit: Moonee Valley Libraries Martin Foley, a former housing minister, told The Age last week, in his final interview as an Andrews government minister that much public housing in Victoria didn’t serve its tenants well and the renewal program was badly needed It will create environmentally efficient homes that cost less to heat and cool and are more accessible for those with disabilities The renewal plan aims to provide an increase in housing for the poor across Melbourne while also privatising some public land to help offset enormous rebuilding costs Tenants in public housing that is being demolished are offered alternative places to live and a guarantee that they can return upon the completion of the new building But the OFFICE report found the objective of renewing the Ascot Vale site could be achieved without relying on selling public land to subsidise the costs existing buildings would be repaired to reduce carbon emissions and the cost savings would be reinvested back into the estate A spokeswoman for the government said that the 200 new homes under construction in Dunlop Avenue would “replace the 80 old and rundown dwellings on the site that were past their life span and no longer fit for purpose” They said the $104 million spent on the rebuild would support a total of 890 associated jobs Robinson said it was difficult to compare that with the precise cost of upgrading existing properties because of the lack of transparency around the public-housing redevelopments “There’s no publicly available refurbishment study done on any of the estates,” he said but they haven’t actually publicly released it.” where the old units are gone and construction of new apartments are underway is an example of the extreme cost of relocating tenants – almost $16 million The emotional toll of being temporarily relocated also weighs on residents Hanson said neighbours within the estate were living with uncertainty – and had been for years An artist’s impression of OFFICE’s proposed refurbishment of 42 Ascot St.Credit: OFFICE When am I going to have to go?’ People are really stressed and uncertain.” Opposition housing spokesman Richard Riordan said communities deserved a fair say in projects but were too often ignored by the government Redevelopment of the whole Ascot Vale estate under the renewal program will take place over the next 15 to 20 years An artist’s impression of what the rebuilt first stage of the Ascot Vale public housing estate will look like.Credit: Victorian government The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here public-housing resident Clare Hanson has fought a losing battle against the Andrews government and its multimillion-dollar plan to redevelop the Ascot Vale housing estate in Melbourne\\u2019s north-west \\u201CThey\\u2019re double brick,\\u201D she says of the units in the estate she has lived in since 2010 \\u201CThey\\u2019re so well built they would last another 100 years with proper care.\\u201D There are plans to demolish and rebuild hundreds of dwellings \\u2013 including Hanson\\u2019s \\u2013 across the 15-hectare estate found the government could make huge savings by just repairing existing buildings The report finds refurbishing a group of flats on the estate\\u2019s Ascot Street would cost $182,100 per apartment \\u201CIf you look at the kind of cost savings you can get from refurbishment you have to question that [demolition and rebuild] approach,\\u201D said the group\\u2019s director Described by Premier Daniel Andrews in 2021 as \\u201Cdecaying\\u201D is part of the state\\u2019s Public Housing Renewal Program and will see 100 new social housing units built and 100 new apartments that the state government says will be assigned to moderate-income residents A from 2005 handed at least $300 million in revenue to developers in his final interview as an Andrews government minister that much public housing in Victoria didn\\u2019t serve its tenants well and the renewal program was badly needed A spokeswoman for the government said that the 200 new homes under construction in Dunlop Avenue would \\u201Creplace the 80 old and rundown dwellings on the site that were past their life span and no longer fit for purpose\\u201D \\u201CThere\\u2019s no publicly available refurbishment study done on any of the estates,\\u201D he said \\u201CThey said that they have conducted it but they haven\\u2019t actually publicly released it.\\u201D is an example of the extreme cost of relocating tenants \\u2013 almost $16 million Hanson said neighbours within the estate were living with uncertainty \\u2013 and had been for years \\u201CThe amount of people coming up to me going: \\u2018When is my building coming down When am I going to have to go?\\u2019 People are really stressed and uncertain.\\u201D The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Public housing blocks in Melbourne's inner north-west that could be home to hundreds of people will be knocked down by the Andrews government without concrete plans to replace them This comes as 80,000 people remain on Victoria's waiting list for accommodation One of the 10 blocks of public housing in Ascot Vale to be demolished this month.Credit: Simon Schluter The government is demolishing and rebuilding three other estates as part of its $185 million social housing renewal program It has defended the planned demolition this month of 10 blocks of public housing on Dunlop Avenue in Ascot Vale A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the flats were “built in the 1940s and '50s had high ongoing maintenance costs and no longer met the needs of tenants” The redevelopment is part of a plan announced in 2017 to hive off public housing to the private sector so developers can rebuild it with a mix of private apartments and social housing The sell-off predates the government’s recent $500 million announcement that will see it build 168 new social housing units and upgrade 23,000 apartments But opponents of plans to knock down public housing – including the Ascot Vale blocks – argue the government is demolishing well-located publicly-owned apartments at a time of extreme need “And with no plan for what will take its place,” urban planning expert Libby Porter says of the Ascot Vale demolition the government is selling public land and privatising public housing sites across Victoria This is disgraceful public policy,” said Professor Porter The Gronn Place housing estate in Brunswick West under demolition last month.Credit: Richard Agar Since the coronavirus pandemic started, a Brunswick West public housing estate with 82 apartments has been demolished. AV Jennings is redeveloping it with 119 social housing units and 79 private apartments Estates in North Melbourne and Preston are also being demolished An estimated 80,000 people are waiting for public housing in Victoria which spends less on social housing per capita than any other state or territory Social housing makes up 3.2 per cent of housing in Victoria; the national average is 4.5 per cent The West Brunswick site on Friday.Credit: Richard Agar Moonee Valley Council approved plans in January to replace the 10 blocks on the Ascot Vale estate The entire estate sprawls over 17 hectares and contains more than 50 blocks of public housing The plan for the 10 blocks to go would see 80 public housing units replaced with 200 apartments – 88 of them for social housing and the remaining 112 for private buyers But unlike the other housing under demolition where public land is being sold to a developer to rebuild both social housing and private dwellings and no construction date has been set nor a developer appointed Clare Hanson has lived on the estate for a decade in an apartment also scheduled to go at some point She said there was no reason the Dunlop Avenue apartments needed to go “There is no structural problem with them,” she said “Until the tenants were evicted they were in good shape.” She compared the money to be spent on public housing with the hundreds of millions of dollars the Morrison government committed to private renovations and home purchase schemes Clare Hanson has lived on the Ascot Vale public housing estate for a decade and was among hundreds of residents to receive a notice that 10 blocks of flats on the estate would be demolished this month.Credit: Simon Schluter “Why do people get $25,000 to renovate houses they've already got and meanwhile these sit here in this state So much could be done to renovate these and they'd last another 100 years.” A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the 80 apartments to be knocked down were going “to allow for the renewal of that site to create modern Public housing blocks in Melbourne's inner north-west that could be home to hundreds of people will be knocked down by the Andrews government without concrete plans to replace them This comes as 80,000 people remain on Victoria's waiting list for accommodation The government is demolishing and rebuilding three other estates as part of its $185 million It has defended the planned demolition this month of 10 blocks of public housing on A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the flats were \\u201Cbuilt in the 1940s and '50s had high ongoing maintenance costs and no longer met the needs of tenants\\u201D The sell-off predates the government\\u2019s recent that will see it build 168 new social housing units and upgrade 23,000 apartments But opponents of plans to knock down public housing \\u2013 including the Ascot Vale blocks \\u2013 argue the government is demolishing well-located \\u201CAnd with no plan for what will take its place,\\u201D urban planning expert Libby Porter says of the Ascot Vale demolition This is disgraceful public policy,\\u201D said Professor Porter from RMIT\\u2019s Centre for Urban Research a Brunswick West public housing estate with 82 apartments has been demolished with 119 social housing units and 79 private apartments The plan for the 10 blocks to go would see 80 public housing units replaced with 200 apartments \\u2013 88 of them for social housing and the remaining 112 for private buyers \\u201CThere is no structural problem with them,\\u201D she said \\u201CUntil the tenants were evicted they were in good shape.\\u201D She compared the money to be spent on public housing with the hundreds of millions of dollars the Morrison government \\u201CWhy do people get $25,000 to renovate houses they've already got So much could be done to renovate these and they'd last another 100 years.\\u201D A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the 80 apartments to be knocked down were going \\u201Cto allow for the renewal of that site to create modern well-designed and functional housing\\u201D Despite being home to Melbourne icons the Royal Show Masterchef studios and the Maribyrnong River businesses at the end of Union Road are in Moonee Ponds and the 1860s train station is so hidden you wouldn’t know it exists (that loud rustling behind the trees is no cause for alarm – just a Craigieburn train arriving) It is where the edgy north-west (tasteful graffiti and a tattoo parlour) meets sedate suburbia The suburb stretches from Mt Alexander Road down to the banks of the Maribrynong River the council subdivided the area between Mount Alexander Road and the Tullamarine Freeway and Ascot Vale spawned its very own spin-off suburb: Travancore on the assumption that too much Ascot Vale is barely enough The barometer of the suburb has always been the local shopping strip which is marketed as a “hidden treasure” of Melbourne so it functions purely as a shopping street it merges into Epsom Road at the other end Union Road’s retail ecosystem was threatened by the proximity of one of the city’s largest shopping centres – Highpoint – up the hill in Maribyrnong It lured locals with the siren song of multi-level parking people started to come back to Union Road as newcomers renovated cottages with no parking spaces and apartment-dwellers like myself rediscovered the pleasure of walking to the shops with one coffee shop (they did a mean muggachino) At least the library and the hardware store remain along with the local landmark Telesonics shop (a museum-piece shopfront of old TVs and radios that has been there forever) It was this idea of a local high street that enticed me to the area together with a generous supply of ’70s-era walk-up flats nestled in the leafy streets There are more and more grey-clad townhouses popping up but the old apartment blocks still hold their own (it helps to like quarry tiles) They are part of the eclectic mix of housing that includes Californian bungalows renovated single and double-fronted period cottages brick houses and flats and post-war timber houses a hint at the prosperity that once flowed into the district Heritage activist Adam Ford in front of an 1881 Ascot Vale home that was set to be razed to build three townhouses Mount Alexander Road became the route to the goldfields Shops and hotels sprung up to service those stopping on the way creating a vibrant community and financing some impressive buildings As befits a suburb named after Ascot in England Despite the endless jostle for parking spaces The train line was originally built to take goods from the mills to the end of the line at Essendon but does a suburb of 15,000 also need three tram lines and a stream of buses going round in circles Of the thousands who flock here in September most don’t see any of the suburb apart from the showgrounds on a busy main road Show pavilions have also been used to film TV shows like Ninja Warrior and Masterchef Different migrant groups have settled here but Ascot Vale is still not as diverse as it could be as there is a significant population of singles and couples Despite inflated house prices and ever-creeping trendiness Ascot Vale still feels refreshingly down-to-earth regardless of how often a luxury SUV blocks your driveway too – it wasn’t that long ago I would tell people on the other side of town that I lived in Ascot Vale The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here and the 1860s train station is so hidden you wouldn\\u2019t know it exists (that loud rustling behind the trees is no cause for alarm \\u2013 just a Craigieburn train arriving) which is marketed as a \\u201Chidden treasure\\u201D of Melbourne Union Road\\u2019s retail ecosystem was threatened by the proximity of one of the city\\u2019s largest shopping centres \\u2013 Highpoint \\u2013 up the hill in Maribyrnong together with a generous supply of \\u201970s-era walk-up flats nestled in the leafy streets most don\\u2019t see any of the suburb apart from the showgrounds on a busy main road It\\u2019s not Hollywood on the Maribyrnong You can\\u2019t get too uppity in the west too \\u2013 it wasn\\u2019t that long ago I would tell people on the other side of town that I lived in Ascot Vale The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge is the most expensive residential home in the suburb Ascot Vale’s house price record has been raised $2m as the inner northwest’s top end buzzes with massive sales and majestic listings This excludes 1860 mansion Ascot House on Fenton St which fetched $9.02m in 2019 but was being used as a wedding venue rather than a home when it changed hands RELATED: Ascot Vale property market boosted by Rothwell Hill houses as suburb becomes ‘exclusive’ Aberfeldie house price record: Incredible home to raise bar by millions of dollars Essendon: Tweedside Street manor shoots for $7.5m sale Managing partner of Nelson Alexander Essendon Ascot Vale and Flemington Paul Harrison said his team had inked three deals beyond $6m in the lead up to Christmas These included the five-bedroom house on 1115sq m at 8 Brewster St, Essendon, and the six-bedroom 2700sq m property at 33 Tweedside St in the same suburb Both sold for undisclosed sums understood to be around the middle of the $6m-$6.5m range joining the 1939sq m ‘Gladswood’ in the trio of mega deals “There’s just a lot of confidence in and around land values at the moment,” Mr Harrison said “Anything that’s 800sq m plus you’re paying $3m for the land and people are happy to pay that sort of money for land in the right position “To build an 80-100 square (750-930sq m) home in today’s value you’re not going to build them for less than $3.5m-$4m-$4.5m An indoor pool and tennis court are among its perks Mr Harrison said ‘Gladswood’ was the “best suburban house in Ascot Vale” “You’re talking about half an acre (2000sq m) in a suburban inner city locality and the beauty of that is you feel like you’re living in your own private oasis yet you’re a couple of steps away from Union Rd,” he said and you’ve got this majestic 110sq m period home that you could be forgiven for thinking was out in Kew or Toorak or South Yarra It’s so unique — there’s nothing of that scope or size in the suburb or surrounding suburbs A family from a few suburbs away secured the property Mr Harrison has also listed the seven-bedroom house on more than 2000sq m 52 Park St, Moonee Ponds “Park St is arguably the best street in Moonee Ponds; it’s certainly one of them … you’ve only got to look up and down the street to see how many homes are having a lot of money invested into them to make them the spectacles that they are.” It joins 140 The Boulevard, Aberfeldie at the top end of the area’s market – priced at its own suburb record height of $8.2m-$8.8m Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Essendon: ‘Uninhabitable’ Windy Hill home’s luxurious renovation Melbourne auctions return as Victorian real estate conditions shift Victoria’s 10 cheapest towns to buy a house 6 August 2021 | Tennis Victoria Wheelchair tennis superstar and Paralympian Heath Davidson recently surprised the students of Ascot Vale Heights School via Zoom But there was one student among the many who was particularly excited to receive the call from Heath Daniel Vadnjal has been selected by his school for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker Program which recognises students who are demonstrating the Olympic Spirit – friendship Daniel adores playing tennis – and has been involved with tennis both on and off the court Daniel is part of the TA junior performance squad for players with an intellectual disability as well as a Special Olympics tennis athlete and player of the state and national Australian Tennis Championships he has starred in a Tennis Victoria photoshoot and participated in a focus group to help VicSport with their projects After hearing from Ascot Vale Heights Assistant Principal Megan Retallick Heath was more than happy to take some time out of his busy schedule to spend some time with the students during their Ascot Vale Olympic Games celebration and the students asked fantastic questions from game strategy with doubles partner Dylan Alcott to training regimes and everything in between Heath is currently training for the Paralympic Games with the Wheelchair Tennis competition kicking off on Friday August 27th debutant Martyn Dunn and five-time Paralympian Ben Weekes This enormous public housing complex in Melbourne’s north low-rise buildings spread across fifteen hectares in a well-resourced central suburb is one of eleven inner-city estates slated for demolition under the state Labor government’s Public Housing Renewal Program the bells and whistles of the state government’s announcement were drowned out by panicked rumours about the immediate eviction of tenants from their homes Emily remembers the atmosphere of confusion and coercion well “government authorities came to the estate to meet with us and the people holding the meeting were doing that thing where they ask rather than telling you what their intentions were” were to carry out a massive sell-off of public land and housing to private developers in exchange for the latter’s commitment to reserve a mere 30 percent of dwellings at the redeveloped sites for low-income residents These residents would be on tenancy agreements largely managed by non-government organisations in the community housing sector the plan sounded the death knell of public housing at the Ascot Vale estate and foresaw the dislocation of its longstanding community Not that the government presented it like that to residents “[The government] started handing us transfer papers giving you options about where you’d like to go” there was a sentence about how your location preferences weren’t suburbs but catchments you could end up where there are no buses running in North Sunshine This happened to at least one person I know and the closest train station taking an hour to reach by bus.” which many culturally and linguistically diverse tenants signed without access to translators or social support services “These legal documents didn’t say you’d be returned to public housing—just that you’d be rehoused” This predatory behaviour by the Department of Health and Human Services—as it was known before being restructured and renamed Fairness and Housing—prompted Emily and other residents to initiate the Save Ascot Vale Estate campaign (SAVE) They wanted residents and the broader community to understand the privatisation agenda underpinning the state government’s “renewal” program Central to understanding how housing is being privatised in Victoria is appreciating the distinction between public and community housing Conflating the two under the banner of “social housing” Public housing tenants have the government as their landlord strict limits on the amount of income they can be asked to pay (usually 25 percent maximum) access to centralised services for maintenance and clear recourse to lodge complaints “The [community housing] leases are not life-long “Your rent can be up to 35 percent of your income—or in fact much more when you factor in the extra fees for common amenities like lifts You can’t have people stay over for more than a week without putting them on the lease There’s no central number you can call for any repairs.” With community housing providers legally obliged to offer only 75 percent of their housing stock to people on the Victorian Housing Register (the housing waiting list) and without strict oversight over the selection process cherry-picking based on the projected profitability and reliability of prospective tenants is common When SAVE activists explained this to Ascot Vale residents at regular information stalls in the local area throughout 2017 The campaign group collected thousands of signatures demanding the state government revoke its plans to demolish and redevelop the estate “Most people genuinely believe public housing should exist” Sustaining the campaign amid the dislocation of residents has proved challenging the state government has bulldozed the public housing blocks on Dunlop Avenue and rebuilt around 200 units in their place Only 88 of them are slated to be used as community housing—a mere eight more dwellings for low-income people than previously existed on the site the new accommodation will likely house fewer people than before repeatedly cites this 10 percent increase in social housing stock on the inner-city public housing estates as an important response to the crisis of housing affordability But the concrete facts tell a different story 55,000 households were listed on the Victorian Housing Register more than 30,000 of which were in the priority access category This means that about 120,000 individuals in the state need housing In the five years since the renewal program was first announced the waitlist for social housing in Victoria has increased by 55 percent A 10 percent increase in social housing stock at select inner city estates is If the experiences of Emily and her former neighbours at the Ascot Vale estate are anything to go by the state government’s Renewal Project may simply swell the ranks of the Victorian Housing Register the state government maintains that the “renewal” of the Ascot Vale estate is primarily driven by concern for tenants’ wellbeing and living conditions A government spokesperson interviewed by the Age referred to the already demolished blocks as “past their lifetime and no longer fit for purpose” environmentally sustainable units built to meet their accessibility needs which comes from the very government that has chronically and deliberately neglected the estate as a part of a slow-burn strategy to eradicate public housing a strategy she dubs “demolition through decay” “There are bits of concrete falling down in the stairways of our buildings Maintenance requests for these and many other issues have been long deferred—if not outright ignored—by the department The quiet disappearance of the groundskeepers from the estate is similarly telling “We used to have about six caretakers who’d come five days a week to do maintenance They’d come through regularly to dust the public access stairways many of them a year before they were going to receive retirement packages” “some casual workers from a labour hire company come once a week to put the bins out has laid the basis for the government to argue for its demolition that the estate requires a dramatic transformation The question is: whose interests and needs will this transformation serve—existing public housing tenants the many thousands on the housing waiting list or the profits of property developers that the government is handing land to The challenge was to show that another kind of renewal of their homes is possible an architect from not-for-profit research group OFFICE He approached Emily and SAVE to ask them to participate in a project investigating the economic and social cost of the government’s demolish-and-rebuild approach to social housing Robertson and his collective posed the question: why not just refurbish the existing units, keep the existing tenants in their homes, and safeguard Ascot Vale public housing estate for a future in which the need for such housing is only projected to grow? The group’s findings compare the estimated costs of demolishing the public housing units on Dunlop Avenue and those of repairing the units in a different They found that the government could save $413,070 per dwelling if it refurbished the Ascot Vale estate all while saving existing residents from relocation When Robertson’s report made headlines it was mainly because of the wastefulness his collective identified in the renewal program But this wasn’t a miscalculation on the state government’s part it was the consequence of its calculated effort to minimise state control over housing and to open profit-making opportunities for developers For public housing tenants, the work of Robertson’s collective provides a framework through which to argue for an alternative to the government’s demolition plans. As Margaret Kelly, a resident of the Barak Beacon estate in Port Melbourne, told the Guardian “it shows that the government could achieve their stated goals without destroying communities” Emily and SAVE have enjoyed a minor victory of sorts residents began noticing tradespeople coming and going from the buildings on Ascot Street—a subtle signal that the units The challenge from here is to build the forces necessary to establish a broader consensus around the idea that repairing existing dwellings is one of the first frontiers in the fight against the privatisation of public housing who grew up in the union movement and one of whose heroes is NSW Builders Laborers Federation leader Jack Mundey “I remember how stamping your feet got things done” “And I still believe boots on the ground is still the best tactic.” SAVE is hosting a forum on public housing and the future of the Ascot Vale estate, featuring candidates for the lower house seat of Essendon in the Victorian state election. 11am Saturday 12 November, Wingate Community Centre, Ascot Vale. RSVP here 25 January 2023 | Tennis Victoria many towns were severely affected by the Victorian floods Some of these areas included Ascot Vale in Melbourne and Shepparton in the North Central Victoria Unfortunately the courts at Ascot Vale Tennis Club and Shepparton Tennis Club were greatly damaged Shepparton were planning on hosting one of the largest tennis events in Victoria the council had to pull the pin in November as they could not prepare the courts in time for the event Ascot Vale Tennis Club were also in flood affected area with their courts severely damaged Members from the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club and Ascot Vale Tennis Club were invited to participate in the Kids on Court program this morning Both clubs got the surprise that they were in fact playing on Rod Laver Arena Director of Oaks Tennis Academy operates at the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club it was devastating to see the affected community “Shepparton was severely affected by the floods When families are losing their houses and have to find alternate accommodation tennis is not on the forefront of people’s minds there were people from the council and volunteers working hard to get the town back and running tennis is just a small part of town; people lost their houses.” “We were fortunate enough to have full time groundskeepers who worked day and night to get the courts back together the council and everyone from from the community.” the tennis courts were pretty much the first to go We had water three quarters of the way up to our fence of all of our courts.” The whole community and surrounds came together in hardship to ensure everyone was looked after “We had the McEwen Reserve open their courts for us As the club was out for a couple of months it was really traumatic for the town but the community bounced back.” Whilst most of the courts are back and running the club were unable to get all courts ready in time for Country Week “It was a huge disappointment for the club so unfortunately we didn’t have enough courts for everyone Hopefully we can host it in the future.” “They’ve got a great community There was a lot going on to make sure people were still interested Sam said that the kids were very excited to be attending the Australian Open today Telling the kids they were coming; that excitement alone was amazing and then seeing the kids out there has been something they’ll remember for a long time.” Director of the Ascot Vale Tennis Academy operates at the Ascot Vale Tennis Club said that the tennis community were devastated with the impacts of the floods in October Due to the floods along the Maribyrnong River the Ascot Vale Tennis Club was heavily affected located only 200m away from the water “We lost the courts for about four weeks due to the mud that stayed on the courts as a result of the floods.” “The council did a lot of work to repair the courts to get them back in playing condition so we were very grateful for their hard work to get us back on court as quickly as possible and safely.” the tennis community rallied together to support the affected clubs like Ascot Vale Tennis Club “We are also grateful for Essendon Tennis Club Vida Tennis and Buckley Secondary College who allowed us to use some of their courts during some of their off time We are able to continue coaching sporadically throughout the time.” “It was incredible from the team at Vida and the President of the Essendon Tennis Club to really allow us to bring our program across to use their courts We’ll definitely return that service if they ever need down the track the community pulling together during those tough times the kids and families had a memorable day at the Tennis today and have enjoyed playing again “Being on Rod Laver was an unbelievable experience this will be a memory the kids and parents will have for their rest of their lives.” Experiencing playing at the Australian Open let alone on Rod Laver Arena will be unforgettable “I was fortunate enough to do this three years ago and the flow on affect is amazing The kids end up loving tennis even more with these experiences That’s the goal; to keep the kids involved in the sport.” “It was well organised by Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia Damien has high hopes for tennis in the community “We did lose a bit of momentum towards the end of last year as a result of the floods and the business of Christmas time We are very optimistic for 2023 and we are confident that this year will be a year that we will be able to play tennis interrupted.” Inside the striking extension at 16 The Parade When Luke and Kendall Crozier bought this property back in 2013, it was advertised as offering the “opportunity to own possibly one of the best homes in Ascot Vale” It was a big call at the time – the front yard of 26 The Parade was overgrown and a 40-year-old extension was “falling down” The Croziers were able to look past all this to the single-fronted Victorian’s “fantastic bones” and prized position atop Rothwell Hill that bold advertising statement has come true RELATED: Footscray footy great sells house for Essendon price record Lincoln Rd house wows with classic facade, modern extension ‘Unconventional’ award-winning home, the Rose of South Yarra, for sale for first time The house has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation and extension The couple has listed the five-bedroom house following a complete transformation with $4.95m-$5.445m price hopes that would set a residential price record for the suburb They have done so to move to the country after watching children Charli A house on an almost 2000sq m Maribyrnong River-side block at 39 Fisher Pde holds the benchmark at $4.6m The Croziers engaged Mitsuori Architects and ACS Builders to help them breathe life back into their 1890s-built home This involved restoring the heritage facade and original part of the house installing skylights to allow more natural light to pour in The original part of the house before it was restored The spectacular home has a $4.95m-$5.445m price guide A three-storey extension was also added to the rear and side of the existing abode with the two-year project completed in late 2019 About “130 truckloads of dirt” were excavated to create the mammoth 370sq m basement with space for up to eight cars and a turntable Jellis Craig agent Jerome Feery said the owners had spent “close to $4m” creating the “masterpiece” that had become a landmark The main bedroom opens out to a private balcony … A walk-in wardrobe is another feature of the main bedroom “It’s a house everyone is very curious about,” Mr Feery said “It’s totally private – you can’t see a lot of the reno (from the street) so the location is as good as you’ll get in Ascot Vale “This will certainly raise the bar for residential real estate in the suburb My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since we listed it.” Mr Crozier said the old and new parts of the house were deliberately distinct a family room with bay windows and a fireplace and two period bedrooms make way for a decor defined by “raw materials” “We didn’t want to see white everywhere,” he said The new part of the home stretches three storeys Also important was that almost every room had a garden outlook and that the house would foster healthy living the owners worked with a building biologist who advised on the kinds of materials and paints they should use as well as air and water filtration systems “We also liaised with them on setting up Wi-Fi that turns off at night in the kids’ section of the house so they’re not sleeping around Wi-Fi,” Mr Crozier said “And having a mineral pool rather than chlorine.” The basement has room for up to eight cars Period charm has been retained in the front part of the house a walk-in wardrobe and a private balcony takes up the bulk of the third level And the open-plan living and dining area boasts a striking timber ceiling and walls and a kitchen with burnished brass cabinetry a custom coffee machine and a butler’s pantry Full-height sliding doors open out to the north-facing poolside alfresco terrace with a six-burner BeefEater barbecue The property’s expressions of interest campaign closes November 9 Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Templestowe Lower record contender designed with feng shui in mind Melbourne’s 15 new million-dollar suburbs revealed Luxury $7m penthouse has private balcony pool, views of Albert Park Lake samantha.landy@news.com.au Victoria’s Moonee Valley City Council teamed up with Evie Networks to install two new electric vehicle chargers in Ascot Vale that are powered by 100% renewables The site was selected given its proximity to Union Road shopping precinct (which is next door) and Ascot Vale Activity Centre “One of Moonee Valley’s priorities in becoming a low carbon city is to facilitate the transition into emission free vehicles,” says Council “Our aim is both to encourage EV owners to visit Moonee Valley and also encourage residents of Moonee Valley to consider EV’s as a viable option for their next vehicle.” drivers will need to download the Evie app from the App Store or Google Play Store Evie’s stations support both CHAdeMo and CCS Type 2 DC connectors catering for most electric vehicles on the road As for the cost, that wasn’t mentioned. Evie Networks says its pricing can vary station to station given differences in charging capability and energy prices in the respective jurisdiction Back in October 2019 Moonee Valley City Council joined a bunch of other local governments in declaring climate change should be treated as a national emergency doing something about it is another – but Council has been walking the talk Council has attained carbon neutral certification for its own operations Among them was the introduction of electric vehicles to its own fleet and replacing 6,000 street lights with more energy efficient alternatives As for the electricity the organisation uses since the beginning of July last year Council has been powering its operations with 100% renewable electricity through the largest emissions reduction project undertaken by Australia’s local government sector 46 Victorian Councils teamed up to pool their electricity buying power to secure a long-term contract for renewable energy generated from wind farms in the state Moonee Valley City Council has also more than dabbled in on-site solar power with 2,758 solar panels installed on 30 of its buildings The organisation has set a target to achieve zero net emissions for the entire community and to reduce emissions from Council’s operations by 95% by 2040 On the community front, solar power has been pretty popular – where it can be installed. For example, in Ascot Vale, solar panels can be seen on the rooftops of many homes and businesses more than 1,471 small-scale systems (<100kW) with a collective capacity of 7,021 kW had been installed as at July 31 While Ascot Vale’s installed PV per capita is quite low – 248 watts per person compared to a 751 watts Australian average – this is likely due to 53.7% of dwellings in the suburb being semi-detached, flats or apartments (Source: 2021 Census QuickStats) Michael caught the solar power bug after purchasing components to cobble together a small off-grid PV system in 2008 He's been reporting on Australian and international solar energy news ever since Please keep the SolarQuotes blog constructive and useful with these 5 rules: Real names are preferred - you should be happy to put your name to your comments.2 If you are in the solar industry - try to get to the truth This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" RSS - Posts Read The Good Solar Guide Free Online! © 2009 to 2025 SolarQuotes Home Electrification Pty Ltd We respect your privacy and you can opt out from the newsletter at any time Base Services Group founder and managing director Adam Gangi is selling his family’s ‘luxurious and sophisticated’ Ascot Vale house which provides services including engineering and project management predominantly in the construction industry has worked on projects including the Home of the Matildas at Bundoora’s La Trobe University Sports Park RELATED: Melbourne Victory managing director puts Ascot Vale house on the market Champion jockey Damien Oliver lists Ascot Vale first home after 30 years Peter O’Farrell: Carlton FC barrister lists Moonee Ponds house Mr Gangi and his wife travelled to Italy to select the property’s Murano glass chandeliers Other standout features at the 27 Regent St property include a 6m-high void extensive Italian extensive terrazzo and marble the laundry with a chute and the main bedroom’s glamorous dressing room “The most surprising element of the house is that the front is very unassuming,” Mr Gangi said they are surprised by the timeless design and the light and space of the home.” There’s plenty of light in the spacious house Award-winning Collingwood-based landscape architecture practice Acre designed the garden The house features Murano and Achille Castiglioni light fittings Other highlights include the foyer and reception area home office and study with integrated workstations and children’s retreat Miele appliances and integrated Liebherr fridge and freezer the bluestone-paved entertaining space has a barbecue kitchen while the garden was designed by the award-winning Collingwood-based landscape architecture practice Acre The walk-in wardrobe is the ideal place to store and showcase clothing Jellis Craig director Simon Mason described the two-level four-bedroom house as “turnkey” and said it was close to public transport It will be auctioned with a $2.85m-$3.05m asking price on September 2 Modernism was one of the inspirations behind the house MORE: Gisborne house a modern, minimalist masterpiece from every angle Vacant block located near the MCG hits the market after 50+ years in private hands South Yarra: Newly built stone and marble house hits the market with $5m+ price hopes Ascot House might sell for more than $8.5 million The historic Ascot House has been earmarked as a potential development site as it prepares for its first sale in decades Ascot Vale estate will sell for more than $8.5 million — a suburb record — prospective buyers are expected to include developers Built in 1860 as a residence for then Melbourne Lord Mayor John Thomas the meticulously maintained mansion has become a favoured wedding venue CBRE Melbourne city sales and development sites agent Nathan Mufale said the property would be on the market in the coming weeks and sold before the end of November The meticulously maintained home’s gardens are a popular wedding venue It’s also on a huge piece of land in a popular suburb “We are expecting it to appeal to a broad range of users including aged-care operators developers and residential occupation,” Mr Mufale said heritage protections would ensure the original homestead is retained The house is still stunningly appointed and retains much of its old-world charm chandeliers and decorative carpets feature throughout the mansion the estate would be the priciest property ever sold in the suburb by more than $1 million Ascot Vale’s median house price is $1.18 million The Patinyotis family have owned Ascot House for the past 40 years and have pledged to ensure all existing wedding bookings are honoured via a short-term leaseback if required after its sale settles Commercial bathrooms could suit a range of future uses Hundreds of guests can be accommodated in the property’s various sprawling rooms “All the currently booked weddings should be covered,” Mr Mufale said The 4500sq m property is covered with manicured gardens and has views to Flemington Racecourse The main house now includes a fully-licensed reception centre with two commercial kitchens Its many period details have been the backdrop for numerous happy wedding photos The popular venue has been the site of many Melbourne events Mr Mufale said potential future uses included as a grand residential home “Gallery space is highly sought in Melbourne and operators love this sort of property because it complements the artworks,” Mr Mufale said Nearby public transport includes train stations and tram stops An expressions of interest campaign is expected to conclude in late November is for sale with a $7.4m-$7.8m price guide Ascot Vale has evolved from being “a little sister to Moonee Ponds and Essendon” to a desirable suburb in its own right where “homes are selling for big bucks” The comments follow the transaction of a single-fronted Victorian with a multimillion-dollar renovation, on Rothwell Hill at 26 The Parade CoreLogic records show this was the highest price ever paid for a residence in the northwest postcode – with the exception of Ascot House on Fenton St That 1860 mansion was being used as a wedding venue rather than a home when it changed hands RELATED: Ascot Vale ‘masterpiece’ poised for benchmark sale Ascot House tipped to smash Ascot Vale suburb price record Footscray footy great sells house for Essendon price record The Rothwell St house retains old-world glamour Another prized Rothwell Hill property, Gladswood at 16 Rothwell St hitting the market with a $7.4m-$7.8m price guide The substantial 1939sq m block amounts to one of the largest residential landholdings in Ascot Vale. It features a 1904-built Edwardian mansion that has been restored and extended, and is flanked by gardens so glorious they’ve appeared in a Honda garden equipment ad and neighbours’ wedding photos “The large grounds and manicured gardens set this home apart from most other homes in the area,” Nelson Alexander Ascot Vale listing agent Jon McKenna said “And the house itself is more than 100 squares (929sq m) of luxury living with every period detail highlighted and restored.” A temperature-controlled wine cellar is also part of the Rothwell St package While the residence has a glamorous old-world look it’s thoroughly modern to the point where it can be “run remotely from your phone” Mr McKenna said it offered a large family plenty of accommodation And nestled among the gardens was a tiled pool and spa and a pool house where the owners had “spent a lot of time” during summer heating and bi-fold doors that open to an alfresco area “It’s also perfectly positioned on Rothwell Hill only about 100m to the train station and probably 300m to the Union Rd shops “Ascot Vale was the little sister to Moonee Ponds and Essendon but I believe it has really come of age now There are lots of professional couples moving in and homes are selling for big bucks.” Jellis Craig agent Jerome Feery said Ascot Vale had become “more of an exclusive suburb than it once was” Inside The Parade property’s modern extension This particularly applied to the Rothwell Hill pocket, where he recently sold 26 The Parade for an undisclosed price the Herald Sun understands was in the vicinity of $5.5m A family from the Moonee Valley area plans to move into the totally transformed single-fronted Victorian “It was more of (a chance to live in) an entertainer for them rather than a fully renovated option – they’re in a beautiful home themselves,” Mr Feery said “It’s something they can see themselves having the family around to “It has set a benchmark for these premium homes in Ascot Vale which hasn’t really seen a renovation of this magnitude or this quality before.” A dreamy bedroom with a private balcony at 26 The Parade Luke and Kendall Crozier bought the 1890s house in a rundown state in 2013 and engaged Mitsuori Architects and ACS Builders to help them breathe life back into it by restoring the heritage facade and original rooms and adding a three-storey extension to the rear and side About “130 truckloads of dirt” were excavated to create a mammoth basement while a mineral pool was also installed on the 633sq m landholding Ascot Vale’s median house price is $1.265m Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Former Carlton footballer lists renovated Brunswick West home Tones and I quietly sells Mt Eliza property for more than $6m Andy Lee revealed as buyer of $8m abandoned riverside manor Ascot Vale are expected to result in minor disruption to bike traffic in the area from 22 August The Department of Transport will be installing a new pedestrian operated crossing to improve safety and accessibility on Maribyrnong Road Construction will be taking place from 22 August 2022 with the work expected to take approximately 5 days Crews will work during the day from 7 am to 7 pm Bike riders are advised to take care near construction during this period There will be temporary traffic lane closures on Maribyrnong Road near the work site and reduced speeds through the works area Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work Find out more about Bicycle Network and support us in making it easier for people to ride bikes The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point we launched our Affiliate Membership program specially designed for cycling groups and clubs Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry This ‘one-of-a-kind’ pad could be the coolest abode in Ascot Vale The Edwardian-era house at 202 Ascot Vale Rd was progressively renovated by its owners of 25 years They have put the two-bedroom home on the market with $1m-$1.1m price hopes after purchasing the property in 2007 for $172,000 RELATED: Ascot Vale pad’s boat mooring lets owners sail right into heart of CBD Chic house Nathan Grima renovated for sale again Ascot Vale house price record smashed by $2m as inner northwest’s top end thrives Matthews Essendon chief executive John Matthews described the house as “very quirky in a good way” with its green and blue walls a decorative animal skull hanging on one wall and an original double-sided fireplace in the kitchen and dining area “The owners have painted the house’s inside and outside and have got some unique colours they haven’t just done a white colour scheme like everyone else,” Mr Matthews said “It’s one of a kind and it’s just cool to see something different.” Kermit the Frog would love this arty bedroom Black stained timber floorboards and bamboo plants in the front garden provide a hint of Japanese style while ceiling skylights let in plenty of natural light “The home has got some roof windows which are quite interesting one in the dining room and one in the back kitchen area,” Mr Matthews added not just normal panes of glass and they are quite cool.” The retro bathroom has a spa to relax in after a stressful day The brick-paved rear garden could be used to extend the house in the future A double-sided fireplace isn’t the only hot feature of this room where the blue walls and hip decor create a cool ambience The property is located next to Albert Wallis Reserve “One of the interesting things about the property is that Ascot Vale Rd is a busy road but the house had two frontages and abuts a dead-end street called West St which is very quiet and next to a park,” Mr Matthews said The home’s other highlights include a bathroom with spa bath laundry and the kitchen containing timber benchtops a new Allenzi 900mm oven and walk-in pantry The front door and entry way welcome visitors The fireplace adds another splash of colour in a bedroom The home’s rear has potted plants and established gardens The spacious back yard includes established gardens brick paving and a remote-controlled carport inner Melbourne and the city’s northeast “wanting something different” have expressed interest in the property The house will be auctioned at 12pm on August 13 Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Cricket star Aaron Finch and wife Amy score with Aberfeldie house sale Autumn House: Carlton North pad sets new bar at Houses Awards 2022 Fitzroy: Former Cobb & Co coach house saddling up for new life Dodge traffic by sailing straight into the heart of Melbourne’s CBD from this striking property on the banks of the Maribyrnong River Three expansive levels of living space combined with waterfront views to create a “special” offering at 23 Kingston Ave, Ascot Vale that was unlike anything else on the market The three-bedroom abode on a 1031sq m block has a $6m-$6.6m price guide that would place it among the suburb’s priciest residences – only behind the grand Gladswood at 16 Rothwell St. RELATED: Ascot Vale: Chic house Nathan Grima renovated for sale again Ascot Vale house price record smashed by $2m as inner northwest’s top end thrives Mt Martha pad with MCG-themed home theatre, sports bar and infinity pool for sale The home has its own private boat mooring that allows direct boat access to the CBD The sleek kitchen is decked out in chic grey and white tones The vendors built the property about seven years ago Mr McKenna sold that property for an undisclosed price understood to be in excess of $7.4m in late 2021 The agent highlighted the Kingston Ave offering’s private boat mooring – a rare find for properties in the area He said the vendors often used this feature to sail into the city to watch the footy at Marvel Stadium A butler’s pantry is an asset in the kitchen Cosy open fireplaces and a big lounge area make for comfortable family living “It’s got absolute river frontage,” Mr McKenna said The house also features a lift and an indoor pool and is in a handy location near Flemington Racecourse “(The vendors) designed the home to be like a holiday home in Melbourne,” Mr McKenna added Enjoy the water views from the comfort of your own bedroom “They’re down on Victoria’s Surf Coast and they decided when they came to Melbourne Other standout features include a top-floor main bedroom with a dressing room Entertain in style on any one of the home’s three balconies while a striking kitchen with a stone bench a breakfast bar and a butler’s pantry can be found on the second level Tasteful white and grey interiors ensure a timeless appeal Expressions of interest close on February 25 Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Essendon footballer turned real estate agent shares his property journey Luca Scribani Rossi: Retired Olympic shooter lists breathtaking Mt Martha renovation Modern meets mid-century at swish Belmont pad rebecca.dinuzzo@news.com.au ONE of ASCOT Vale’s last stable complexes that has housed a string of harness-racing champions could sell to developers when it goes to auction next month Goodwood at 42 Myross Ave, Ascot Vale was the home of late harness-racing trainer and driver The 1336sq m block on Whiskey Hill includes the original 1890s home as well as nine stables Mr Davin’s son Robert said his father’s love for horses began as a milkman MORE: Bomber legend kicks goal in new real estate career Million-dollar sales soar in Melbourne “He bought the house in 1955 and he used to train on the old track that was at Riverside Golf Club,” the younger Mr Davin said who won three Inter Dominions — which is the Melbourne Cup of harness-racing — in 1997 including Army horses contesting the tent pegging games “And the Carlton United Brewery clydesdales were stabled in this street,” he said Goodwood includes nine stables and several outbuildings on a 1336sq m block Nelson Alexander Ascot Vale’s Michael Keogh said the home combined a rich history with an “exceptional” position near the Maribyrnong River But he admitted the home and stables were very rundown and rickety with people unable to venture inside the house at open inspections “It’s absolutely shocking — I don’t think it’s been renovated since the 1890s,” he said While there is a heritage overlay on both the home and stables Mr Keogh said developers — who had shown the most interest in the property — could override this overlay with council The property will be auctioned at 1.30pm on Saturday with a price guide of $2.73 million-$3 million SUBURB PROFILE: ASCOT VALE We’re talking about Ascot Vale, a suburb that tends to fly under the radar but offers a grab-bag of amenity for its 15,000 residents. The gateway to the inner north west, postcode 3032 has long been considered something of a sleepy hollow compared with its more attention-hogging neighbours Essendon, Kensington and Footscray. It’s where the city settles into suburbia and houses with side driveways and garages start to appear in the company of family sized houses on 700, or even 800, square-metre blocks. Union Road, its main shopping street, has resisted the homogenising efforts of nearby Highpoint Shopping Centre and offers a kaleidoscope of retail and hospitality outlets. The Maribyrnong River, which forms the western border, is hugged by the linear Fairbairn Park. Each September, Ascot Vale becomes the most exciting place to be in Melbourne (for children, adrenaline junkies and animal lovers, anyway), when the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, abutting the Flemington Racecourse, come alive with the Royal Melbourne Show. Anyone with more architectural interests might be more interested in its attractive and diverse built history. Ascot Vale has public housing, but is also no stranger to the multimillion-dollar home thanks to its unique topography: its three hills – sub-categorised as Travancore, just beyond the Tullamarine Freeway; Rothwell Hill, at the core of the suburb; and Whiskey Hill, bordering the river and the Showgrounds – offer stunning Victorian, art deco and Californian bungalow homes on big garden blocks, many with magnificent views. Ascot Vale also boasts an eccentric history that involves the Essendon Football Club (its senior team was formed in Ascot Vale in 1872) and the temperance movement, which in 1885 created a “temperance township” bounded by Ascot Vale, Maribyrnong and Epsom roads where the distilling, brewing or serving of alcohol was forbidden. Naturally enough, hotels soon appeared on all corners of the apex – but its western part became known as Whiskey Hill thanks to the wags who used to roll barrels of whisky down into the temperance township. Modern Ascot Vale residents might be relieved (or dismayed) to learn the temperance covenant was lifted only in 2002. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The sun was shining on the neat little treed enclave around Brisbane Street, and we watched as house hunters filed through in good numbers. When we reached the front verandah of this pretty Californian bungalow though, not one person was to be seen. Then it happened. The tell-tale thundering of kids’ feet as they tore around a space with freedom and abandon – a good sound and perhaps the best sign you can get of a warm, welcoming home. We couldn’t see or hear anyone until we ventured further inside, simply because the excellent dimensions here handled the crowd effortlessly, engagingly. From the entry, two front rooms – bedroom on one side, living area on the other – represent the classic bungalow footprint. Behind is another bedroom/study and a neat, stylish bathroom before the jag left to the roomy rear section. As kitchens go, this isn’t huge, but bright and pretty, its crisp white walls and timber benches topped by a lovely strapped ceiling and anchored by the warm tones of the Baltic pine flooring. Stone-clad stunner hits the market in one of Melbourne's most prestigious pockets Melbourne home with a Hollywood Hills-style rooftop nightclub dances off the market The historic Toorak home with storybook good looks Beyond here, though, you feel like you might be in a charismatic old ballroom such is the size, shape and shine of this rear living and dining area. Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines. Stacker doors north and west – as well as pretty windows and a door to the east – make accessing the fabulous, elevated wraparound verandah an easy, languid delight. It’s splendid up here, overlooking the terrific backyard, and we’ll get down there soon, but first, let’s follow the kids and thunder up the stairs. A rangy, long space here acts as a retreat/study area and extra living room. On the east is a sweet little balcony, and across the way, a large spa bathroom has had a smooth update. Three bedrooms take up the northern end. All have wardrobe space and one has a beaut little balcony, too. Out back, the kids tore around the grassy rear terrace, finding space along both sides of the house and under the superb backyard gum tree. A garage, an under-house area and a little shed/outhouse offer good storage. The fully tiled pool and paved, private surrounds complete a package of convivial content – singularly appealing and with all that amazing space. The property was last sold for $1.595 million in June 2017, and the highest recorded house price for Ascot Vale (past 12 months) was $3.58 million for 26 Warrick Street in June 2023. “Classic poolside Californian offering resort lifestyle as well as modern comforts and class. Within metres of parklands, this is a family-focused pocket well-serviced by schools, transport, shopping and major arterials,” says agent Lou Rendina of Rendina Real Estate. It all started on the Ascot Vale Good Karma Network a group based around Amercian social activist Howard Zinn’s maxim: “Small acts Someone posted about the Little Free Pantry movement in the US which are also popping up on suburban streets across Australia the miniature streetside pantries invite locals to “take what you need and give what you can” Eleesa Jewell and Logan Shield in front of the Ascot Vale Little Free Pantry.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui The Ascot Vale Church of Christ on St Leonards Road already had three successful street libraries and it occurred to locals Logan Shield and Eleesa Jewell that it would also be the perfect spot for a little pantry “It’s a well-used street but it is off the main road for people who don’t want to be seen accessing the little pantry,” Ms Jewell said who lives next to the church is sometimes door knocked at 4am by people seeking assistance But he also loved the concept of a sharing economy it’s neighbours helping neighbours and everyone making the neighbourhood a better place.” The community donated the materials and labour A month after the Ascot Vale Little Pantry opened its guest book is already scrawled with messages shampoo and sanitary products are snapped up as are breakfast cereals and two-minute noodles Ms Jewell says the stewards have learnt that cans need to have pull tabs as the homeless are unlikely to have can openers However some people do have cooking facilities and families often opt for the pasta and sauces “Sunday night the pantry is very popular after people have paid their bills,” Ms Jewell says “Some people don’t meet the criteria for health care cards and food banks If you have got nothing to feed the kids at night you can come here.” Ms Jewell says the Annie Borat free food pantry in Brunswick has provided mentorship They also seek advice from the Little Free Pantry Stewards Facebook group, where pantry caretakers share the “ideas, stories, struggles and joys that come with stewarding a pantry”. The stewards discuss everything from Good Samaritan laws to dealing with weather extremes and insects. “There have been some issues internationally with people clearing out the whole pantry in one go,” Mr Shield says. (This has already happened once in Ascot Vale.) This is impossible to avoid completely but not overstocking shelves and rotating items are some of the tips from seasoned stewards. “It is handy that we can offer solutions and support each other because this is a relatively new thing and there is no research or statistics,” Ms Jewell says. She posts on the Ascot Vale Little Pantry’s Facebook and Instagram pages when they run low on stock and also lists the items needed on a blackboard attached to the pantry. The pantry can also be used for community food swaps: “A lot of people have fruit trees and everything ripens all at once.” The pantry is open 24/7 so people can visit discreetly: “We try to alleviate any stigma attached to using community generosity,” Ms Jewell said. Mr Morris recently watched a mother educate her sons about the little pantry, a grandmother restock the shelves and then a man he knew from the housing commission flats take some soy milk. The man tapped the glass of the pantry door and said: “Thank you” before disappearing. “All this happened in three minutes,” Mr Morris said. “It was a beautiful interaction. These guys have created a small community around the pantry which adds a layer of richness and depth. It’s so cool to see it happen.” It all started on the , a group based around Amercian social activist Howard Zinn\\u2019s maxim: \\u201CSmall acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.\\u201D Someone posted about the in the US. Inspired by the little free libraries, which are also popping up on suburban streets across Australia, the miniature streetside pantries invite locals to \\u201Ctake what you need and give what you can\\u201D. \\u201CCould we do that here?\\u201D someone asked. The Ascot Vale Church of Christ on St Leonards Road already had three successful street libraries and it occurred to locals Logan Shield and Eleesa Jewell that it would also be the perfect spot for a little pantry. \\u201CIt\\u2019s a well-used street but it is off the main road, for people who don\\u2019t want to be seen accessing the little pantry,\\u201D Ms Jewell said. Gregg Morris, the minister of the church, was thrilled when the pair approached him. There was a definite need: Mr Morris, who lives next to the church is sometimes door knocked at 4am by people seeking assistance. But he also loved the concept of a sharing economy. \\u201CThis is not like a handout, it\\u2019s neighbours helping neighbours and everyone making the neighbourhood a better place.\\u201D The brightly painted little pantry, with glass doors and fork-shaped handles, was designed by Mr Shield. The community donated the materials and labour. A month after the Ascot Vale Little Pantry opened, its guest book is already scrawled with messages. \\u201CThank you so much! This has helped my family eat tonight. I hope to give back when I can,\\u201D says one. Another: \\u201CThanks for give me food. It was help me full.\\u201D The Little Pantry\\u2019s stewards, as its caretakers are known, are learning on the job. Baked beans fly off the shelves. \\u201CChickpeas: not so much,\\u201D says Mr Shield. Soap, toothpaste, shampoo and sanitary products are snapped up, as are breakfast cereals and two-minute noodles. Ms Jewell says the stewards have learnt that cans need to have pull tabs as the homeless are unlikely to have can openers. However some people do have cooking facilities and families often opt for the pasta and sauces. \\u201CSunday night the pantry is very popular after people have paid their bills,\\u201D Ms Jewell says. \\u201CSome people don\\u2019t meet the criteria for health care cards and food banks. This is a stop gap. If you have got nothing to feed the kids at night you can come here.\\u201D Ms Jewell says the in Brunswick has provided mentorship. They also seek advice from the Facebook group, where pantry caretakers share the \\u201Cideas, stories, struggles and joys that come with stewarding a pantry\\u201D. The stewards discuss everything from Good Samaritan laws to dealing with weather extremes and insects. \\u201CThere have been some issues internationally with people clearing out the whole pantry in one go,\\u201D Mr Shield says. (This has already happened once in Ascot Vale.) \\u201CIt is handy that we can offer solutions and support each other because this is a relatively new thing and there is no research or statistics,\\u201D Ms Jewell says. She posts on the Ascot Vale Little Pantry\\u2019s Facebook and Instagram pages when they run low on stock and also lists the items needed on a blackboard attached to the pantry. The pantry can also be used for community food swaps: \\u201CA lot of people have fruit trees and everything ripens all at once.\\u201D The pantry is open 24/7 so people can visit discreetly: \\u201CWe try to alleviate any stigma attached to using community generosity,\\u201D Ms Jewell said. Mr Morris recently watched a mother educate her sons about the little pantry, a grandmother restock the shelves and then a man he knew from the housing commission flats take some soy milk. The man tapped the glass of the pantry door and said: \\u201CThank you\\u201D before disappearing. \\u201CAll this happened in three minutes,\\u201D Mr Morris said. \\u201CIt was a beautiful interaction. These guys have created a small community around the pantry which adds a layer of richness and depth. It\\u2019s so cool to see it happen.\\u201D 1) 0ms;transition:fill 200ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;font-size:1.5rem;}.mui-13xs5pt{width:100vw;max-width:100vw;margin-top:1px;}.mui-68tkgc{width:100vw;max-width:100vw;margin-top:1px;}.mui-1i0sejk{min-width:200px;border-radius:4px;}.mui-o2bopd{text-align:center;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;font-size:1.5rem;padding:8px;border-radius:50%;overflow:visible;color:rgba(0 0.54);-webkit-transition:background-color 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;padding:12px;font-size:1.75rem;}.mui-o2bopd:hover{background-color:rgba(0 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.mui-o2bopd:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.mui-o2bopd.Mui-disabled{background-color:transparent;color:rgba(28 1) 0ms;padding:12px;font-size:1.75rem;}.mui-1cqrg4y::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;}.mui-1cqrg4y.Mui-disabled{pointer-events:none;cursor:default;}@media print{.mui-1cqrg4y{-webkit-print-color-adjust:exact;color-adjust:exact;}}.mui-1cqrg4y:hover{background-color:rgba(0 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.mui-1cqrg4y:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.mui-1cqrg4y.Mui-disabled{background-color:transparent;color:rgba(28 28,0.38);}.mui-16y1f2l{font-family:'__Roboto_22ceb1','__Roboto_Fallback_22ceb1';font-weight:500;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.75;text-transform:uppercase;min-width:64px;padding:6px 16px;border-radius:4px;-webkit-transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 28,0.38);box-shadow:none;background-color:rgba(29 replaced 80 walk-ups with 200 accessible apartments in one Five are fully accessible for people with disability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHailed as the most advanced public housing project in the state the apartments carry a 5-star Green Star rating and a 7-star NatHERS average rating have a minimum Silver rating from Livable Housing Australia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach building has secure entry and a design that “encourages and maximises sightlines and safety”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe estate includes landscaped gardens with communal open spaces vegetable gardens and barbecue areas.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHalf of the homes will be managed by Evolve Housing to provide safety and security for victim-survivors people living with mental health challenges and other individuals and families in need.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe other 100 homes will be available through the Affordable Housing Rental Scheme and directly help low-income workers including disability workers cleaners and healthcare workers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnder the scheme these homes will provide an alternative to the private rental market comfortable and energy-efficient homes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe said the government was increasing housing supply in well-located inner-urban areas of Melbourne to take pressure off the wider housing market.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We are seeing how these homes are unlocking opportunity for more Victorians,” he said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe project which created 800 jobs across its construction is part of the Victorian government’s Big Housing Build which the government says is on track to deliver more than 12,000 new homes by 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince 2020 more than 7600 homes have been completed or are under way Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook Five are fully accessible for people with disability Hailed as the most advanced public housing project in the state have a minimum Silver rating from Livable Housing Australia Each building has secure entry and a design that “encourages and maximises sightlines and safety” The estate includes landscaped gardens with communal open spaces Half of the homes will be managed by Evolve Housing to provide safety and security for victim-survivors people living with mental health challenges and other individuals and families in need The other 100 homes will be available through the Affordable Housing Rental Scheme and directly help low-income workers including disability workers with rent at 10 per cent less than Melbourne’s average market rent State housing minister Colin Brooks said the estate set a new benchmark for modern He said the government was increasing housing supply in well-located inner-urban areas of Melbourne to take pressure off the wider housing market “We are seeing how these homes are unlocking opportunity for more Victorians,” he said which the government says is on track to deliver more than 12,000 new homes by 2026 and more than 1700 households have either moved or are getting ready to move into brand new homes A burst of neon lights has landed on Mount Alexander Road in Melbourne’s north-west with the launch of Upstate Studios Ascot Vale It’s the fitness studio’s ninth in Victoria since sisters Gail Asbell and Charelle Cuolahan opened the first in Geelong in 2009 Other locations include the flagship in Fitzroy Torquay (where Asbell lives) and more across regional Victoria Unlike other fitness studios that work on a franchise model and only allow memberships at one or two locations Upstate members can attend classes at all of them travel spots and more – curated by those who know Upstate offers four main class styles and three are on offer at Ascot Vale: yoga hot mat Pilates and reformer Pilates (boxing classes are available at other studios) “All of our classes – whether it’s reformer or hot Pilates – have options for different levels whether they’re doing their first class or they’ve been doing Pilates for a long time There’s always options to challenge [yourself] as well,” Asbell says Each class type is divided into different styles For yoga there’s the vinyasa-focused power flow and a version of yin that includes a sound bath and meditation and the regular power reformer is a full-body workout The new studio is in an industrial space with brick walls and high ceilings that once housed F45 In keeping with the look of previous Upstate studios there are pops of yellow throughout the space which has walls covered in black and white collages “Attending a new gym can be intimidating for a lot of people but everyone at our studios is super welcoming and friendly,” Asbell says “If anyone as a beginner is keen to try something out going to a brand new studio is great because there are usually a lot of new faces Gallery: Broadsheet Access Pre-Opening Event at Upstate Elsternwick “You Don’t Have To Do It Alone”: How Upstate’s Gail Asbell Built an Empire A Celeb-Approved Pilates Studio Lands Down Under is on the market with a $2.45m-$2.55m price guide A slick Ascot Vale house renovated by a former AFL footballer is again turning heads on the market Ex-North Melbourne and Essendon player Nathan Grima transformed the house at 204 The Parade before selling it to the current owners for $1.73m in 2016 This included adding a glass-encased extension with an angular roof RELATED: Ex-AFL defender Nathan Grima boots back-to-back Ascot Vale houses Ascot Vale house price record smashed by $2m as inner northwest’s top end thrives Aberfeldie house price record: Incredible home to raise bar by millions of dollars Nathan Grima renovated and then sold the Ascot Vale house to the current owners Those owners have put the pad back on the market with a $2.45m-$2.55m price guide including landscaping the yard and adding a skylight to the main bedroom Nelson Alexander Ascot Vale agent Patrick Tilli said the low-maintenance house had been immediately popular with young upgrading families “There are very few homes in Ascot Vale that are single level and offer five bedrooms,” Mr Tilli said He highlighted the open-plan living and dining area for its kitchen with a stone island and integrated European appliances Union Rd’s shops and eateries are a five-minute walk away quality schools and “acres of parkland” nearby Mr Tilli said Ascot Vale was becoming a “wealthy professional couple hot spot” Prahran and South Yarra putting the suburb on their radar An ensuite awaits at the end of the walk-through wardrobe It has been the site of two significant sales in recent weeks, led by the house price record breaking transaction of Gladswood at 16 Rothwell St The mansion in the suburb’s prized Rothwell Hill precinct sold for an undisclosed price understood to be in the lower half of its $7.4m-$7.8m range at the end of last year to top the benchmark set by 26 The Parade at about $5.5m in November as it was a wedding venue rather than a house when it changed hands for $9.02m in 2019 MORE: Victorians spend more than $6.8bn on new homes despite lockdown South Melbourne terrace where The Beatles dined sells Sorrento mansion Westbank sets whopping price record for Mornington Peninsula The Royal Melbourne Show might now be better known for show bags, carnival rides and fried things on sticks than cows, woodchopping and the pursuit of the world’s fluffiest sponge cake, but it brings an estimated half a million people onto the streets of Ascot Vale, many of them looking in vain for a carpark. These 11 days also signal the dusting off of the Showgrounds station on the Flemington Racecourse line, which is kept in mothballs for most of the year. It’s not just the Show that lures people to these 19 hectares of civic and mercantile space. The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on Epsom Road, hugging the boundary of Ascot Vale and Kensington, are a hub known to generations of Melburnians for trade shows, music events and the dreaded home of year 12 exams. Feeling lost? Look for the “Pie in the Sky”, the giant elevated pie (formerly branded Four’n’Twenty) that was built in 1977, achieved heritage status in 1999 and has reunited countless families separated by crowds and sugar rushes. So much history, but Ascot Vale is also a forward-thinking little suburb. A former car yard on Mt Alexander Road has been turned into The Ascot Lot and Food Truck Park, bringing the cred to postcode 3032. Its pro-kids and dogs policy is music to the ears of the area’s young families. “There’s a really broad demographic,” says Raine & Horne director George Errichiello. “It’s definitely a lovely family orientated location with great primary schools.” The broad demographic is matched by a range of housing, from one-bedroom units to $3 million houses occupying the high ground on huge blocks, the best with magnificent views of the city skyline. The complex was heralded as the ‘most advanced’ of its kind when it opened but residents say maintenance requests are often ignored or take weeks to address while their concerns over cracks in the building have gone unaddressed The $140m development in Dunlop Avenue in Ascot Value is the first development to open from the government’s Public Housing Renewal Program – now known as the Big Housing Build – and was heralded as the “most advanced” social housing project in the state when it was completed in March last year Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads managed directly by the Victorian government the 200-dwelling complex offers only community housing managed by third-party not-for-profit provider Evolve and rent-controlled affordable housing But residents of the estate say they have had ongoing issues with the building management One tenant says they have been served a notice to vacate twice in 12 months – and residents say their requests for maintenance are often ignored or take weeks to address The 200-dwelling social housing development opened in Ascot Vale in March last year Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The GuardianLisa Dillon who pays $574 a fortnight for a one-bedroom apartment she shares with her husband says over Christmas the toilets in her building did not flush for three weeks and waited another three weeks for it to be fixed Her brother – who lives in a separate apartment on the same floor – has had the same issue He is on dialysis and had a heart attack in January and due to his health conditions Dillon says she had to help him flush his toilet My neighbour says she still doesn’t have running toilet water,” Dillon says Dillon says when the toilets first stopped flushing a week before Christmas she was told it was not an emergency and to use a bucket there’s only three emergencies and the three emergencies are: blocked pipes Lisa Dillon says she has repeatedly contacted Homes Victoria and Evolve but has received ‘vague responses’ Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The GuardianDillon alleges other issues including that the building could not get a TV or radio signal for almost a year meaning sometimes her brother has not been able to watch anything while he was in treatment “In public [housing] as soon as the TV is down or in two or three [days on the weekend],” she says Dillon says the fans in her bathroom don’t work and she says she has not been able to get anyone in to fix them She says she has repeatedly contacted Homes Victoria and the Evolve office in Melbourne but has received “vague responses” She has sent emails to Evolve’s head office in Sydney and has not received any response “I can’t even get a job number,” Dillon says Grace Bell lives in one of the affordable apartments water is leaking through a large crack in the roof of the basement Bell’s lease is with the National Affordable Housing Consortium (NAHC) who act as an agent on behalf of the state government She says the organisation and Homes Victoria know about the leak says he has been issued two eviction notices within 12 months Last year he accidentally reported his income incorrectly He owes Evolve $2,000 and has been paying an extra $30 a week to make up the debt He says he was waiting for Evolve to calculate a new rent figure which would include a rental increase on top of his repayment Free weekly newsletterEach week our editors select five of the most interesting entertaining and thoughtful reads published by Guardian Australia and our international colleagues Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Saturday morning “I said I would pay and they agreed to it. I don’t know if I’ve got to go or not. I don’t know.” Management of the Ascot Vale estate is the first foray into Victoria for the predominantly NSW-based community housing provider, Evolve. The organisation manages more than 4,800 dwellings, and last financial year, its parent entity reported a $16.1m profit. Its Victorian subsidiary, however, claimed a deficit of $325,645. The organisation reported spending more than $25m nationally in 2022-2023 on property expenses across its operations, but would not detail when asked by Guardian Australia how much money it had spent managing maintenance at the Ascot Vale estate. Read moreA spokesperson from Evolve said the company had taken over management from the estate in February last year “The site is under a defect liability period for the first 12 months and requires the developer to rectify issues that are raised,” the spokesperson said “Many of these issues sited [sic] below only become [sic] known once the site is occupied and Evolve has worked closely with the builder and Homes Victoria to ensure all the defect repairs have now been completed in line with the 12-month defect period.” A spokesperson for Evolve said its Melbourne office was staffed by two people that all complaints were responded to within two business days of receipt and that there was a round-the-clock contact centre “for all repairs and maintenance requests as well as email options for renters” requests for which were responded to “promptly” Guardian Australia approached the developer with questions about the reported building defects Built Ltd referred the questions to Homes Victoria A Homes Victoria spokesperson said the Dunlop Avenue Ascot Vale development has delivered 200 new social and affordable homes “The development offers a range of housing solutions helping us to deliver on our commitment to providing more homes for more Victorians,” the spokesperson said as well as less expensive to heat and cool.”