Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Cranbourne West Primary faces plenty of challenges but the children in the school’s “human-powered vehicle” program are not going to let anything slow them down racing to the top of the state’s standings in the niche sport A human-powered vehicle is simply a recumbent pushbike encased in a carbon fibre chassis and Kevlar shell; very aerodynamic and tough enough to keep the rider safe when they crash (and crash they do) at speeds of up to 65 km/h out on the track Grade 6 riders (front right) Isla Sieben (front left) Akur Jok and (back) Ella Smith.Credit: Joe Armao and Cranbourne West’s funding is below average – even by the standards of Victoria’s cash-strapped state education sector – with the majority of the children there coming from the lowest quarter of the school socio-economic index The vehicles and associated gear had to be fund-raised meaning plenty of weekend shifts on the barbecue outside Bunnings for senior teacher and coach Chris McGowan school parents and the young racers themselves But McGowan says the benefits to the children – many from troubled or trauma-affected backgrounds –has been well worth the effort He reports that progress for the children involved in the program has been “incredible”; mental health has improved academic engagement and success are better and students grow in self-esteem and frequently end up delivering confident talks on the design and construction of their machines The human-powered vehicle racers of Cranbourne West Primary School prepare to hit the track.Credit: Joe Armao “It helps them gain some purpose,” McGowan said “It teaches them leadership skills and teaches them how to be a part of the team it connects them to school and the community a bit more and we’ve had a lot of success with so many troubled kids over the journey.” his colleague and assistant coach Sophie Hendricks and 15 students heading to South Australia in September to compete in a 24-hour race against the 10 fastest schools from that state were considered quick enough to compete in the event which is shaping up as a sort of human-powered vehicle State of Origin a lifelong Cranny West local who attended the school himself as a boy is bursting with pride that the program has given his young racers the chance of an interstate sporting trip something that might be taken for granted in more privileged school communities Shell Energy has come on board as a sponsor of the program and will make the South Australian trip financially possible But nobody is getting out of their Bunnings sausage shifts “We like the kids to learn that they have to earn these experiences that this is the result of some hard work,” McGowan said but the children in the school\\u2019s \\u201Chuman-powered vehicle\\u201D program are not going to let anything slow them down racing to the top of the state\\u2019s standings in the niche sport and Cranbourne West\\u2019s funding is below average \\u2013 even by the standards of Victoria\\u2019s cash-strapped state education sector \\u2013 with the majority of the children there coming from the lowest quarter of the school socio-economic index But McGowan says the benefits to the children \\u2013 many from troubled or trauma-affected backgrounds \\u2013has been well worth the effort has been \\u201Cincredible\\u201D; mental health has improved \\u201CIt helps them gain some purpose,\\u201D McGowan said \\u201CIt teaches them leadership skills and teaches them how to be a part of the team and we\\u2019ve had a lot of success with so many troubled kids over the journey.\\u201D \\u201CWe like the kids to learn that they have to earn these experiences that this is the result of some hard work,\\u201D McGowan said An allegedly stolen vehicle from a Cranbourne West home in from an aggravated burglary on 25 March has been involved in a collision in Langwarrin last night Police are investigating the circumstances around the collision that involved the allegedly stolen Nissan Pulsar after it collided with a second vehicle on North Road at the intersection of McClelland Drive around 10:15pm on Tuesday The unidentified male driver of the stolen vehicle was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries The female driver of the second vehicle was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au students in the Pese Mai program are finding confidence Starting a new school year brings fresh challenges and opportunities students in the Pese Mai program have found that embracing creativity and connection through music is a powerful way to navigate these transitions The program’s success was recognised at the 2024 Victorian Education Excellence Awards where Cranbourne West Secondary College received the Outstanding Education Support Team Award for Pese Mai celebrates Pacific Islander culture and was developed in partnership with the Victorian State Schools Spectacular The program encourages students to embrace their heritage while building resilience who joined the choir as a Year 7 student in 2018 the program transformed her secondary school experience Now an education support team member working as a vocal coach Sadies reflects on how Pese Mai helped her overcome challenges and now teaching these students is such a blessing.’ Pese Mai members at Modern Language Teachers Association of Victoria conference Sadies’ journey highlights the value of trying something new especially during pivotal moments like starting secondary school I wouldn’t have connected with my Samoan culture or built the confidence I have now,’ she says ‘It’s amazing to see how much the students grow through this program.’ For Year 11 students Alexia Muliaga and Isha Rana Pese Mai offered a chance to embrace their heritage while gaining confidence through performance ‘I’ve been singing since I was a kid because my family is musical but Pese Mai helped me meet new people and learn about other cultures,’ Alexia says ‘We’re one big family and there’s not a quiet moment Alexia, who joined the program in 2022, performed in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular for the first time the same year. ‘I was nervous at first because it was so different,’ she recalls. ‘But once I got into it, I loved learning and growing through the experience. It’s been amazing.’ Pese Mai performing at State School Spectacular The program’s values, encapsulated by the acronym P.E.S.E M.A.I (Perseverance, Empowerment, Solidarity, Equality, Maturity, Accountability and Initiative), provide students with a foundation to tackle challenges with confidence. Year 10 student Taila Shaw joined Pese Mai in Year 8 and became a lead vocalist for the choir. ‘At first, I didn’t think I’d get a lead role, but it ended up being so fun,’ she says. ‘Singing songs we grew up with and showcasing our culture at the State School Spectacular was incredible. I don’t regret it for a second.’ The Pese Mai program demonstrates how creativity and collaboration can inspire students at any stage of their education. For those transitioning into a new year, whether starting prep, Year 7, or preparing for the challenges of Year 12, the message is clear: embrace opportunities to learn and grow. Sadies and Alexia both encourage students to step out of their comfort zones. ‘Just have fun, live in the moment—you never know where you might end up,’ Sadie says. Alexia adds, ‘If you don’t have fun, you won’t learn; choir is about connecting, learning, and growing together.’ As the Pese Mai program looks ahead to 2025, it continues to offer students an inspiring platform to embrace creativity, connect with their culture and prepare for a future full of possibilities. Pese Mai at a State School Spectacular rehearsal A petrol station sent drivers queuing around the block after slashing its fuel to less than a dollar a litre in a price not seen for almost 20 years APCO service station dropped its unleaded fuel price from $1.55 to 99c at Cranbourne West, south-east Melbourne The move came after Libertarian Senate candidate Jordan Ditloff picked up the tab for the fuel excise to show how much cheaper life would be without a petrol tax Motorists were also spared the excise on unleaded petrol mixed with ethanol and for diesel which also brought the asking price down by around a third Mr Ditloff told Daily Mail Australia he was struck by how grateful people were to get even just a single tank of cheaper fuel '(Libertarian Victorian MP) David Limbrick and I felt like Father Christmas because people were so appreciative and enthusiastic. 'I dare say it is probably the warmest reception a politician has had in Cranbourne for a long time. 'It showed how much of a difference it would make if fuel excise were abolished.'  Mr Ditloff said the popularity of the stunt revealed the financial hardship many were facing.  'We had quite a number of young families there, quite a number of people who were under a lot of pressure and said they were experiencing a lot of hardship.  'We ended up doing it a bit longer than an hour just to get everyone who was in the queue so they weren’t in line watching the price go up.  Some opportunistic motorists even turned up with fuel cans to load up on the cheap fuel on offer, but Mr Ditloff said he didn't mind. 'They said they just had happened to have the cans with them and asked if was OK to fill them up,' he said.  'And I said yes they could. I thought "That’s cheeky but I’ll pay it, I love that". 'That’s a pretty Libertarian thing to do.' Motorists didn't even have to fill their own tanks up with Libertarian volunteers on hand do it for them. 'We did a US gas station type thing where our volunteers were filling up cars,' Mr Ditloff said. 'There were a few people worried about it because they thought they might have to pay more or lose the discount if someone else filled it up.' In the end, 238 motorists took advantage of the discount to fill up with 10,500 litres of the different fuels. The tax amount paid by the Libertarians on that amount was $5,800, which Mr Ditloff said came out of fund-raising he had done for his Senate campaign.  Fuel excise is a sales tax levied by the federal government on petrol and diesel bought at the bowser and is indexed against inflation twice a year.  In March 2023, the Morrison government halved the fuel excise from 44c to 22c in a pre-election sweetener that lasted until September of that year when the Albanese government declined to keep the tax cut going. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... 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No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} A small section of Evans Road in Cranbourne West will be duplicated under a $30 million pledge from the Federal and State Governments but they say the entire road should be duplicated or at least the duplication should be extended longer to Thompsons Road Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Evans Road duplication between Duff Street and Central Parkway in late February as a part of a $1.2 billion roadworks package to increase capacity and improve efficiency in growth areas surrounding Melbourne The about-to-be-duplicated section is about 500 metres against the total 5 kilometres on Evans Road from Duff Street to South Gippsland Highway Only intersections have been duplicated within the 5 kilometres Evans Road runs across three suburbs in Casey: Cranbourne West Cranbourne West local Michael Hin pointed out that Evans Road “Traffic has been getting worse and worse because there are more cars and more people living here,” he said so you don’t have to go through the South Gippsland Highway.” He said locals would be frustrated when the traffic would have to be diverted into the estate nearby with the coming roadworks He also did not understand why only such a small section was going to be duplicated “A lot of people are not happy that they’re only doing this part,” he said and the costs could be high in some parts of Evans Road given the drain and the adjourning wetland but he said even if the governments were doing the whole way to just Thompson Road Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen agreed with what Mr Hin said He believed the $30 million upgrade was a huge win for the Cranbourne West community but the Council is now calling on the State Government to consider co-contributing to this Federally-funded project and prioritise the duplication of Evans Road between Central Parkway and Thompsons Road “This will ensure the completion of an efficient road network for the Cranbourne West community including active transport connections to Merinda Park train station and bus interchange,” he said Quarters Ward Cr Carolyn Eaves said the 500-metre duplication would remove the bottleneck in this part of the road and would support the industrial development in Cranbourne West by complementing the duplication and connection of Central Parkway with Western Port Highway She also pointed out the importance of duplicating the entire Evans Road “The entire upgrade of Evans Road between South Gippsland Highway and Duff Street is included in the Council’s top 10 priority transport advocacy projects,” she said The $30 million cost of duplicating a 500-metre had also been a mystery to Mr Hin and other community members He said the community joked that the cost only made sense when they took the $42 million Thompson Road roundabout removal into account Evans Road upgrade has not been new in the community the Liberal Nationals Coalition pledged to fully duplicate Evans Road with a $87 million budget if elected Key activities include a detailed traffic analysis and modelling to better understand the future growth of the area and the demand this will place on the road network environmental investigations to understand flora and investigations to map utility services Construction timelines will be known once the planning has progressed further A vehicle that was stolen from a Cranbourne West home overnight has been the ride of choice for four teenagers after they were arrested for aggravated burglary in Kew this morning It is alleged that a stolen BMW arrived at a property on Sackville Street at around 4am where four male offenders allegedly got out of the vehicle and forced entry into the house they confronted a female occupant who was in bed They allegedly demanded keys and stole a mobile phone whilst the male occupant called Triple Zero The two victims in the home were not physically injured and the offenders fled on foot The Dog Squad and Air Wing searched for the teens who allegedly jumped over fences at nearby properties They were located on Bramley Court where they were all arrested were taken into custody where they will be interviewed Border Express has announced the opening of its brand-new depot located in Cranbourne West The new facility replaces Border Express’ existing site in Dandenong as its operational hub for Victoria’s southern and eastern areas Boasting a 40-per-cent increase in floorspace and the latest safety technology the depot is strategically positioned in a major growth corridor – a prime location which not only enhances Border Express’ operational capabilities but also aligns with its commitment to better serving its pickup and receiver base The new depot measures in at 20,000 square metres a substantial increase from the company’s previous 12,000-square-metre facility a bulk layout tailored to Border Express’ needs will translate to improved operational flow reduced congestion and increased productivity “This state-of-the-art facility marks a major milestone in our growth journey enhancing our operational efficiency and capacity in Victoria’s Southeast region,” a Border Express spokesperson said The new depot offers ample parking space for 35 doubles facilitating smooth operations and easy accessibility for Border Express’ fleet it is expected to ensure job security and stability for the next decade “With seating for more staff members our new office space accommodates for more employees than our current setup,” the spokesperson said “This expansion not only supports our growing team but also creates opportunities for individuals to step into leadership roles within the new site.” The increased floor space will allow Border Express to handle larger volumes redesign boundaries for more efficient service coverage and enhance linehaul capacity the new location opens doors for the company to explore automation in sortation processes adopt sustainable practices such as solar energy utilisation and waste diversion upgraded security features and improved safety by separating material handling equipment from personnel through raised docks “This expansion not only supports our revenue growth objectives but also reflects our commitment to providing reliable and sustainable logistics solutions,” the spokesperson said and sustainable initiatives like solar energy we’re ready to take things to the next level.” In other news, two bridges being built as part of the Parkes Bypass project in New South Wales are one step closer to opening. The Tasmanian Government is delivering a second package of works under the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program to improve several freight.. has announced the opening of a new depot in Adelaide has completed the acquisition of Schenker from Deutsche Bahn for approx All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media This is probably not the page you’re looking for Police have charged three Casey South men overnight following the seizure of a tiny home during a warrant at the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) clubhouse in Alphington on Friday 29 November Five search warrants were executed on Sunday 1 December at residential addresses in Cranbourne North Clyde and at a storage facility in Cranbourne West believed to be a chapter president of the Hells Angels OMCG possessing steroids and prohibited persons possessing firearms He was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Monday 2 December A shotgun was located under the tiny home and a quantity of white powder steroids and a signal jammer were seized from his Cranbourne North address A 31-year-old Cranbourne South man was charged with possessing ammunition and possessing a drug of dependence He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 20 January A 35-year-old Clyde man was charged with possessing a drug of dependence He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 17 January The charges follow the execution of a warrant at the Heidelberg Road address shortly after 10am on Friday 29 November with assistance from the Special Operations Group which is alleged to have been stolen from a Campbellfield business in June this year As part of the investigation into the theft police identified that it had been transported to the OMCG clubhouse in Alphington Anyone with information on OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au the hangouts of outlaw motorcycle gangs have been found in cities and suburbs across Victoria But police crackdowns in recent years have put an end to a number of bikie clubhouses Here’s a look at some of the state’s most notorious gangs and what has become of their gathering places RELATED: Australia’s biggest bikie clubhouses: Where are they now? The home of the Finks bikie gang in Melbourne’s south east was raided in 2019 as part of an attempted murder investigation and firebombed in 2020 But in 2022 the outlaw motorcycle group made it clear they were still there with about 300 members arriving at the industrial property from around the country before they took off to Wodonga on the NSW-Victoria border en masse Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members during one of their national rides to Cranbourne automotive businesses and a specialty cake store The 1651sq m complex the clubhouse is located within is divided into a number of strata spaces A distinct mural on the front gate of a suburban house on a main road in Melbourne’s north east tells you when you’re on the Hells Angels’ turf After more than four decades of police raids it’s still considered the group’s spiritual home – even after the front gates were ripped off in a 2013 search for machine guns at the property But it’s no longer the club’s headquarters in Melbourne MORE: Victoria’s forgotten homes revealed The gates were ripped from the Alphington premises during a 2013 police raid In an area better known for tranquil river walks and schools it’s surrounded by family homes and close to a new housing development The property is estimated to be worth $1.04m-$1.88m There’s another Hells Angels crest on the gate in front of a Thomastown address surrounded by automotive and logistics businesses it was raided after a woman’s murder in 1999 It’s also understood to have been the site of bashings and even someone having their toe cut off by bolt cutters MORE: ‘Not as tough’: Sign Vic homes are becoming more affordable The Hells Angels clubhouse in Thomastown during a 2011 police raid a coffee shop across the road serves up toasties souvlakis and an array of fried foods from potato cakes to hash browns Records show the address that backs onto the Western Ring Rd was last sold for $126,000 in the 1980s estimates put the industrial property at somewhere between $646,000 and $990,000 Finding this Ballarat-area clubhouse isn’t exactly difficult – it has its own listing on Google complete with a five-star review from a user by the name of “chicken terrorist” it’s the joint with the big imposing fence topped with security cameras and a “Bandidos MC” sign – almost at the end of a dead-end street The Ballarat Bandidos got five stars on google and the last time the property changed hands on the open market in 1996 the price was just $33,000 Records show it was transferred for $0 last year and today it’s classed as ‘owner occupied’ Its value is estimated at between $238,000 and $388,000 this is another bikie spot you can still find on Google – though it is now marked as ‘permanently closed’ Today it’s painted black with all of its past signage removed but once bore a Bandidos sign over the door The Bandidos’ abandoned clubhouse at Brunswick has been a wine sotry and a gym since closing as a bikie haunt But there’s no indication of a sale or a lease and valuations put the property opposite a shopping plaza at $1.01m-$1.52m The property was run as a handcrafted wines and produce store in 2007 and as a gym in 2017 – so it’s certainly had a colourful past in more ways than just visits from bikies this one also has a five-star review on Google – left five years ago There have been many police raids at this Rebels stronghold set at the rear of an unassuming industrial estate in Melbourne’s western suburbs Police have visited over everything from a murder to liquor license breaches In 2018 it was also the site of one of Australia’s biggest bikie gatherings when members from across the country descended on the property Police take evidence after executing a search at the Rebels Sunshine West premises in 2014 automotive companies and wholesale cleaning supplies groups Part of an industrial complex with a variety of businesses associated with it most of the sites are around 330sq m in size and were sold within the $330,000-$380,000 range in 2005 and 2006 The Bendigo home of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang is so close to the local RSL they could ditch the Harley and ride their push bike down for a pot and parma It used to be the home of the Satans Soldiers bikies but they were ousted during a hostile takeover in 2019 – with the lower-profile gang allegedly threatened with being shot if they continued to wear their colours While it was sold for $42,000 in the late 1990s the property has gone through a few $0 transfers in the meantime according to online property records The more than 2500sq m property is classed as having four bedrooms but appears to be much more industrial in nature – though there are homes across the street you knew you were in Mongols territory in Port Melbourne when you saw a street-art representation of Heath Ledger’s Joker on a roller door The bikie group’s inner Melbourne location has since had the not-so-subtle hint painted over in black But more recent images from inside show a mural of Melbourne present during their time at the property still adorns the interior walls Heath Ledger’s Joker meant there was no missing this Mongols haunt in Port Melbourne The property is surrounded by homes and businesses in what is considered a fairly desirable part of Melbourne and is just around the corner from eateries and shops along popular Bay St It was raided by police after the 2019 mistaken-identity murder of fruiterer Paul Virgona Records show it changed hands for $660,000 in 2016 These days it’s valued at $691,000-$916,000 The bikie group seemingly have a taste for art displaying a hulking Mongol warrior with bikie tattoos looming over the city’s skyline 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. Out of Victoria’s more than 2.56m households 526,929 households are experiencing mortgage stress and 572,653 are living in rental stress A shocking 1.1 million Victorian households are living in mortgage or rental stress with some postcodes home to almost 10,000 families struggling to keep the roof over their head Research group Digital Financial Analytics (DFA) latest Stress Update report shows more than half of the state’s mortgage holders and 77 per cent of renters are facing tough times and are anxiously awaiting Tuesday’s Reserve Bank interest rate call Prominent economist Dr Shane Oliver from AMP Capital agreed there were vast numbers of Australians and Victorians now struggling and said Tuesday’s rate decision could be “make or break” RELATED: Westpac slashes interest rates on its fixed-rate loans ahead of RBA meeting Melbourne homeowners in 300 suburbs could save hundreds if interest rates drop | PropTrack RBA board reform: Special attention for interest rates or political bin fire? with more than 9000 homeowners in each postcode classed as living in mortgage stress Hoppers Crossing and Tarneit and Sydenham’s postcodes each have more than 7000 households experiencing hardship areas with the lowest levels of mortgage stress include Elsternwick Park Orchards and several Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast postcodes based on more than 52,000 Aussie household surveys conducted until the end of January showed people were facing high levels of cashflow pressure because of high living The report defined households as stressed where they have more outgoing expenses than income “Households who are under pressure are more likely to spend less none of which solves their real issue,” Mr North said some are giving up on essentials like dental treatment good quality food – junk food is cheaper – and other items.” Digital Financial Analytics principal Martin North This Narre Warren house recently sold for $741,000 A typical 80 per cent loan on the home would cost $3874 per month with a typical 6.15 per cent interest rate according to Moneysmart.com.au’s online mortgage calculator But some relief could be in sight with the Reserve Bank of Australia due to meet on Tuesday with some experts tipping a cut to the nation’s 4.35 per cent cash rate – which traditionally leads to banks lowering home loan interest Westpac this week lowered its short-term fixed rate mortgages in anticipation of the RBA decision after NAB did the same earlier in the year “I think there is a lot hanging on this rate cut on Tuesday and there would be thousands of homeowners hoping for it,” Dr Oliver at AMP said The economist noted as long as employment remained strong and Australia did not slip into a recession a rate reduction was usually positive for real estate the property market should look a bit stronger,” he said Dr Oliver also noted that a rate decrease meant that new borrowers would generally be eligible for slightly higher home loans This three-bedroom Craigieburn house sold for $630,000 in December 2024 A typical 80 per cent loan for that figure would cost $3294 per month to replay one out of every four calls made to the Melbourne-based Consumer Action Law Centre’s its helpline have been about mortgage arrears The centre’s Financial Counselling Practice assistant director Claire Tacon said this had been top reason for people to get in contact since interest rates started to rise in 2022 prior to 2022 the top reason for people calling us was always credit cards we know that the increase in our calls is directly related to the rise in interest rates and the pressure that is putting on people The Consumer Action Law Centre’s Financial Counselling Practice assistant director Claire Tacon This Cranbourne house sold for $660,000 in November last year A typical 80 per cent loan for the sum would cost $4313 per month with a 6.15 per cent interest rate struggles with mortgages were not the norm and when people were struggling it was often because they had experienced a change in their personal circumstances – often due as ill health the people we are speaking to have had no change in their circumstances they are more likely to be working with a stable income but interest rate rises mean they are unable to meet their obligations,” Ms Tacon said She said that many callers to the centre did not realise they could ask a lender to change their loan terms due to financial stress “Often people will call us saying that their bank would only give them a three-month break or reduction in payments,” she said “People are grateful the bank is offering them three months but we tell them you have the right to have your contract varied and that variation does not have to be only short term.” The DFA figures show that more than 1.8m Australian households are living in mortgage stress and more than 2.3m households are experiencing rental stress with more than 1.1m of these households in Victoria itself Melbourne-based mortgage broker and Tulip Finance’s founder and chief executive Vinay Bhardwaj said that if a 0.25 percentage points’ rate cut was announced it would reduce home loan repayments by approximately $19 a week “Given the significant interest rate hikes over the past two years and the ongoing rise in the cost of living first-home buyers will need more than just one rate cut to feel a meaningful impact on their monthly budget,” Mr Bhardwaj said any rate reduction will be warmly welcomed – while it may not drastically ease their monthly commitments it will undoubtedly generate positive sentiment in the first-home buyers’ market.” Mr Bhardwaj said that a rate cut would also attract more people to the property market reflected in the growing number of pre-approval inquiries,” he said Mortgage interest rates started rising across Australia in May 2022 For households worried about mortgage stress Mr Bhardwaj advised them to review all monthly expenses looking for subscriptions no longer in use unnecessary purchases or opportunities to adjust spending such as dining out versus cooking at home He also recommended revisiting home and car insurance policies to ensure you were getting the best deal “A thorough review of their current mortgage to determine if debt consolidation might offer a more manageable solution.” The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s online Moneysmart.com.au calculator shows that typical mortgage repayments in the most stressed mortgage postcodes would vary between roughly $3200 to $4500 a month for a median-priced house based on a 25-year loan with a 6.15 per cent interest rate wage growth has not kept pace with the cost of living + Even if you’re managing to pay your mortgage but you’re struggling to juggle all your other bills and debts + Don’t be frightened to ask to speak to your bank’s hardship department; + Tell the bank what you need in an ideal situation they have to consider your request and if they don’t agree they need to tell you why; The banks don’t tend to offer this if the customer doesn’t ask; There are so many people in this circumstance and financial counsellors are there to assist you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and speak to a free financial counsellor who is independent from the banks and on your side; Source: Consumer Action Law Centre’s Financial Counselling Practice assistant director Claire Tacon This three-bedroom Roxburgh Park house sold for $615,000 in January A typical 80 per cent loan for this amount would cost $3215 per month with a 6.15 per cent interest rate Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 9784 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 9507 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 9046 This Berwick house fetched $853,000 when it sold in January A typical 80 per cent loan for the home would cost $4459 per month with a 6.15 per cent interest rate Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 9001 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 8929 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 8169 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 7321 This Pakenham house sold for $584,000 last year A typical 80 per cent loan at this price would cost $3053 per month to pay Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 7144 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 7074 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 6508 PropTrack figures show that Australians need to earn more than $170,000 a year to afford the repayments on an average house in Australia’s five major capitals while more than $120,000 is needed to buy a unit Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 15,729 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 10,521 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 10,133 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 8186 Suburbs where Melburnians are struggling to pay rent vary from the inner city to the city’s outskirts Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 7752 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 7020 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 6645 While many renters would like to purchase a house saving a deposit can be tough while also paying rent and other living expenses Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 6369 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 6333 Number of households in mortgage stress within that postcode: 6164 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: 20 Melbourne suburbs where house prices still double in 10 years Property expert Jack Henderson’s tips to owning more real estate wealth How one decision saved me at least $50k on my mortgage Guns, crossbows, a medieval sword, a zombie knife and other illegal weapons have been allegedly seized during a series of police raids and Firearm Prohibition Order checks across the South East. Seven were arrested and about 50 weapons and drugs charges were laid during the 37 FPO compliance checks between 10-14 June in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia. Greater Dandenong Tasking and Co-Ordination Acting Inspector Brett Skurka said a “myriad” of illegal weapons were uncovered. VIPER Taskforce, CIU units, local police and the Youth Gang team seized more than 20 prohibited weapons such as guns, imitation guns, machetes, a medieval sword, a knife with shooting blades, a dagger, crossbows, batons and OC spray. “That’s why we will be relentless in our efforts to remove dangerous weapons from the wrong hands and keep our community safe. “These weapons can be deadly, and they are prohibited for a reason. “My message to anyone who has an FPO is to adhere to it all times. We are consistently targeting this type of offending, and you never know when to expect a knock at your door.” Large quantities of MDMA, GHB and cannabis were also seized, police say. A 31-year-old man was arrested at a Lang Lang home, where three guns, two imitation guns, hand-grenade fireworks, two crossbows, a machete, a dagger, medieval sword and a significant amount of ammunition were allegedly found. Police say they seized traffickable quantities of GHB and cannabis, as well as steroids, counterfeit money and suspected-to-be-stolen jewellery and ID documents. The man was charged with 22 offences, including possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence, possessing explosives, possessing counterfeit money, possessing precursor chemical, trafficking butanediol and resisting an emergency worker. He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 July. A 28-year-old man was arrested in a caravan on Raisell Road, Cranbourne West. A large zombie knife and quantities of MDMA and steroids were allegedly found in his possession. He was charged and bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 10 September. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePolice were called to a home on George Frederick Road in Cranbourne West Melbourne at 4.30pm on September 3 after receiving reports of an aggravated burglary Police cars parked along a curb. Picture Adam McLeanAn 18-year-old Cranbourne West man allegedly stabbed the police officer in the leg after a confrontation in the home's driveway Other officers on the scene arrested the man and he was interviewed by police READ MORE: Man charged with stabbing partner and first responders after crash The officer's injuries were not life threatening and he was taken to hospital for treatment, police said. The man has been charged with assault of an emergency worker on duty, intentionally causing serious injury, common law assault and making a false report to police. The 18-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 4. Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Love footy? We've got all the action covered. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Merinda Park Station in Cranbourne North has recently completed its addition of amenities, which include a new bus interchange, walking paths and an upgraded car park. Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas recently welcomed the minister for public and active transport Gabrielle Williams MP to the station, which now has 119 new and upgraded car parking spaces as well as a zebra crossing. This comes after a $10 million investment from the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) fund, with other safety improvements included CCTV and lighting upgrades, footpath upgrades, new fencing, tactile ground surfaces and signage. “The continued investment in our public transport infrastructure and services helps everyone get where they need to go easier, faster and safer,” Mr Maas said. “These improvements to our transport network and great news for our community, they ensure that Merinda Park Station can continue to cater to our growing population well into the future.” Bus passengers will not benefit from the three-bay bus interchange, with shelters and information displays to make transfers more comfortable and easier. Current routes 863 Endeavour Hills SC to Cranbourne West via Hallam Road and 881 Merinda Park Station to Clyde North have also had minor route and timetable changes to coincide with services that are beginning to use the new interchange. “This work complements investments in the Level Crossing Removals and new stations for Hallam Station and Narre Warren Station which service our area,” Mr Maas said. Building on other improvements made in the area, the station upgrades compliment the new introduction of the Route 881 bus service from the station to Clyde North, as well as the extension of the Route 863 service which now connects to Cranbourne West Shopping Village. Bus services were also improved with Routes 897 Clyde North to Lynbrook via Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre and 898 Clyde North to Cranbourne Station via Cranbourne Park SC extended to the growing areas along Heather Grove and Pattersons Road in Clyde North. “It was fantastic to welcome the Minister for Public and Active Transport to our area to inspect the completed works at Merinda Park Station,” Mr Maas said. In 2022, the Labor Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project rebuilt Merinda Park Station with two new platforms, an improved layout and a secure bike shed, which was part of the Cranbourne Line Duplication. All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePolice were called to a home on George Frederick Road in Cranbourne West Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy President of Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce has announced his candidacy for the City of Casey election in October Mr Wood decided it was time to give back to the community he had loved for so long Mr Wood said he would be running as an independent and wanted to make it clear that he had no backing of any political party Having observed Operation Sandon and the past four years’ administration in Casey Council He did not approve of the way the three administrators ran the council meetings with four or five insignificant items on the agenda which he believed did not show transparency He has been especially opposed to the administrators’ handling of the proposed $40 million Community Hub in the heart of Cranbourne and the forthcoming eviction of Casey Radio and not-for-profit L’Arte Central Café “This [the proposed Community Hub] should be put on hold till the elective council comes back,” he said As the president of the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce Mr Wood said he would advocate for the responsible spending of ratepayers’ funds and the growth of the business community “Quarters Ward has a big business community and find out what they expect from the City of Casey,” he said I think that is a very important attribute if you go into public life “You should always be available for your constituents One of Mr Wood’s main priorities would be to lobby for more funds in the southern part of Casey for better infrastructure but most people in Casey live in the southern part of Casey This is where the population is growing,” he said An acquaintance of the late and former mayor Amanda Stapledon Mr Wood would like to dedicate his term to her legacy especially her passion for Cranbourne hence his love for Cranbourne if he was elected “One of the things she was very passionate about was the Motorcycle GP run where Casey Council used to close off the main street when the event was on,” he recalled “And there were 10,000 motorcycles who used to gather and they used to head down and convoy to Phillip Island and I would like to see that brought back.” Embedded in the community and volunteering around for almost three decades Mr Wood believes he knows where to patch the holes He would advocate for community safety and more police as he had witnessed some bad examples of crime during his 20 years of retail working in Cranbourne He would advocate for ongoing support for senior citizens as well Mr Wood is a part owner of local music station 87.6 Surf FM which has a long-term relationship with Melbourne’s first 24-hour Indian radio station Radio Haanji Mr Wood said he was proud to acknowledge the support of Radio Haanji for his candidacy in the 2024 Casey Council Election Mr Wood is also a founding member of Casey Race He is a Kennedy Legends member of the AFL club Hawthorn and likes to spend his spare time attending matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Police charged a Cranbourne West man on Friday 3 May and seized a large quantity of ammunition as part of an investigation into the possession and manufacturing of unregistered firearms A warrant was executed at a residential address in Cranbourne West on Thursday 18 April the 39-year-old occupant was interstate at the time seven handguns (both revolvers and semiautomatic) eight privately made firearms and five imitation firearms • What appeared to be thousands of rounds of ammunition • Large quantities of various firearm parts • Plans and schematics for firearm manufacture • A small hydroponic set up of approximately 20 cannabis plants • Various small quantities of drugs of dependence including what appeared to be 1,4-Butanediol A notice of suspension of a firearm licence was served on the Cranbourne West man The man was then arrested on Friday 3 May when he returned to Victoria He was interviewed by police and subsequently charged with a range of offences • Possess traffickable quantity of firearms • Manufacture cat A or B longarm without a licence • Manufacture general category handgun without a licence • Fail to store cartridge ammunition correctly • Possess drug of dependence – prescription drug (Viagra) • Possess drug of dependence – drescription drug (Pregabolin) The man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 May Police would like to remind licensed firearms owners to be aware of the legislation with regards to the storage of their firearms Further information is available on the Victoria Police website: police.vic.gov.au/firearm-storage Victoria Police undertakes a range of compliance and enforcement activities to ensure those with firearm licences are complying with the conditions their licence Anyone caught breaching the conditions of their licences or failing in their obligations can expect to have their authority cancelled and to be charged or issued with penalty notices Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers have recently joined forces in a new campaign aimed at removing illegal firearms from the Victorian community raises awareness about the dangers of illegal firearms and urges the public to protect themselves and those around them by reporting what they know to Crime Stoppers Recent efforts by Victoria Police resulted in more than 1500 illegal firearms removed from the hands of criminals in 2023 The introduction of the Illicit Firearms Squad in 2020 and the VIPER Taskforce in 2022 has enhanced Victoria Police’s ability to combat illegal firearms-related offending particularly concerning serious and organised crime Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au A new boutique community is about to hit the market – giving buyers the perfect place to build in a thriving and environmentally focused community. Harli, located in Cranbourne West in Melbourne’s south-east, will officially launch in October. The project will compliment an already-established neighbourhood, providing new house lots in a suburb that has limited opportunities available. Featuring 181 premium allotments, the development will provide a sustainable community nestled among existing schools, shopping centres, parks, sporting and recreational facilities. Frazer East, Resolution Property Group director, says new land in such an established and tightly held location is a rare opportunity for dream home builders. "It’s a unique opportunity to form part of a desirable and established community — it’s not a ‘coming-soon’ story," Mr East says. "Across many projects in growth corridors, buyers usually purchase on the basis that services and amenities are going to be built. But that takes time.  "Harli is unique because it’s an opportunity to invest in your future lifestyle but enjoy the convenience and amenity from day one. It’s surrounded by established schools, shopping centres, transport links and employment opportunities. Not to mention parks, botanical gardens and golf courses. "Harli provides everything that people need today." Angus Moore, economist at realestate.com.au, says Cranbourne West and surrounding suburbs are in high demand. The population of Cranbourne West is booming. House prices in the area are on the up, Mr Moore adds. "PropTrack data shows Cranbourne West's median house value grew 14% in the 12 months to July, hitting $665,000," he shares. "That's a lot higher than the 2.1% growth seen across all of Melbourne." This pocket in Melbourne’s south-east also offers connectedness for both work and lifestyle, adds Mr East. "It is positioned in the middle of everything — you’ve got easy access to Port Phillip Bay, the Western Port area and the Mornington Peninsula," he says. "It’s also surrounded by key established commercial hubs that provide employment opportunities, like Dandenong and Carrum Downs, as well as the ever-evolving Cranbourne West Business Activity centre. Not to mention it’s road, bus and rail networks provide local commuting and easy access to the city." One key feature not to be ignored at Harli Cranbourne West is the focus on sustainability, which will appeal to environmentally conscious buyers, as well as those looking to minimise energy costs. James Thomas, Core Projects CEO, says it's a development "built with the future in mind". With sustainable values, Cranbourne West is a place to grow with. Harli homes have been carefully curated with the builder partners to maximise their efficiency and environmental outcomes, which will help dramatically reduce the running costs of each home, Mr Thomas says. The Harli community will be zero net carbon; meaning it's 100% run by electricity with no gas connection, while the homes have seven-star energy efficiency ratings. Harli builder partners will offer environmentally sensitive designs, including solar power, additional insulation and extra glazing. East adds that the homes are not the only aspect of this development that pays homage to the environment, with the estate boasting expansive open space for people to enjoy the great outdoors and the local flora and fauna. Residents will have access to local parks and a two-hectare native wetland reserve. There’s also the neighbouring Ranfurlie Golf Course and the nearby Cranbourne Royal Botanical Gardens for residents to explore. "Harli will provide an envious lifestyle with homes that are designed for the future that residents will enjoy today," Mr East says. "Our community with be a connected, sustainable and futureproofed investment that will endure the test of time, which is why we’re really excited to be bringing this community to market." Pictures are courtesy of Resolution Property Group. Meet Harli – a new community in Cranbourne West One that’s designed to enhance the living environment for residents by paving the way to a richer gentler and more rewarding future in Melbourne’s southeast Our inspired way of life has been designed in harmony with tomorrow It’s here at Harli that an extraordinary future can be embraced today Cranbourne West Primary School decided to get involved in the Energy Breakthrough for the very first time and very little community awareness and support where they got their first taste of a program that now sees students come back well after their primary school days are over and Cranbourne West Primary School is now a mainstay of the Energy Breakthrough with three teams set to hit the track this month!The success of the program at Cranbourne West is testament to the passion dedication and enthusiasm of the head of the program who has worked hard to build the program to what it is today success doesn’t come from how the teams score engaged with their learning and school community Cranbourne West has made sure that the Energy Breakthrough is a program for everyone the team is made up of students who enjoy athletics and those who enjoy public speaking and communications the success of the program has gone from strength to strength Chris says that the changes in the students involved in the program has been incredible students are engaging with the learning more academic engagement and success has improved and grown in confidence to allow them to deliver fantastic display and presentations and design and construction talks There’s been a huge increase in community support with families getting involved to seek out and provide sponsorship for the program has allowed the school to make the program even better the team is ready to hit the track this year This year for the first time the school ran an Energy Breakthrough day and students across the school got involved to raise money and find out about the program getting the next generation of Energy Breakthrough students excited to join the team in the coming years.The connection of the students to their school has become so strong where ex-students come back to participate alongside the students Cranbourne West Primary School at events such as Casey Chris and the school have worked hard to make the program about so much more than just a race For the students at Cranbourne West Primary School and gets to work on an aspect of their program that they’re passionate about or interested in with staff like Chris who support them in every way Chris has also made sure to champion equality and female empowerment through the program the teams are made up of at least 60% females and they recently got to have a chat with a local female tradeswoman who worked with them to wire up a new horn and circuit in each of the vehicles We asked Chris about the secret to the school’s growing success and he told us that it’s up to the kids He says that the positive impacts he’s seen for the students over the years makes the job worth it every single day there’s something in the Energy Breakthrough for everyone We can’t wait to see all of Cranbourne West Primary School 3 vehicles out on the track this year We are pleased to announce that 2025 entries for the Energy Breakthrough are now open HPV and EEV Vehicle specifications & Trial Regulations for the Energy Breakthrough have now been published! We are pleased to confirm our 2025 entry fees for the Energy Breakthrough The fees were initially announced in a news bulletin back in September 2023 but we wanted to share a reminder ahead of our entries opening date on Wednesday 12th March Fees to all categories remain unchanged from our previous announcement EXCEPT for our Sphero Global Challenge Robotics Rotary Club of Cranbourne had its change-over on Tuesday 28 May at Settlers Run Country Club It was a celebration of the past president Gerard Sadler’s successful year who then handed over the reins to Kathy Dunscombe Mr Sadler’s year was marked with many successes including the annual golf day that raised $ 30,000 to support both local and overseas charities: Cranbourne Information Support Centre which supports families in crisis Ace Foundation which supports school-age children with reading glasses as well as Cranbourne West Primary with their vegetable gardens Cranbourne Rotary also supports a Cambodian school called Reach in Siem Reap It completed the year with The Helping Hands organisation to make mechanical hands for amputees in war-affected The incoming president Ms Dunscombe was keen to follow on with these initiatives but also aimed to help those affected by domestic violence and many other local community support services If anyone is interested in finding out more about Cranbourne Rotary Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after shots were fired at a property in Cranbourne West on Monday 15 January It is understood a vehicle pulled up outside the Trueman Street residence before several shots were fired at about 4am Police were told shots went through a garage door and into two parked cars Four people were inside the property at the time of the incident Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Casey Highway Patrol officers are investigating a fatal collision in Cranbourne West on the afternoon of Friday 15 December A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Cranbourne-Frankston Road just before 5pm but she was pronounced deceased at the scene The female driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au James Swan Palakamannil fondly remembers his three-year-old daughter dragging a small chair to open the front door as he arrived home from work each day she’d greet him with excitement in her eyes the girls died in a car fire at Cranbourne West alongside their mother after the nurse drove to an isolated location and poured petrol on them all in a fatal act of family violence there is no one waiting for me at the door,” Palakamannil sobbed in the Coroners Court of Victoria on Tuesday “[I’m now] living in an empty and silent house.” James Swan Palakamannil leaves the Coroners Court of Victoria on Tuesday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui deliberately killed herself and her daughters after becoming withdrawn and isolated from her community Palakamannil said that on the night they died he arrived at the family’s Lyndhurst home to find the girls playing on a mobile phone and his wife in bed she said she was taking the girls to McDonald’s but CCTV footage showed the mother instead drove to a service station in Cranbourne West where she bought and filled a fuel container Thomas then drove to the McDonald’s car park where she remained parked until about 7.30pm The scene of the car fire in Cranbourne West on March 24 Fire crews were called to a burning car in a nearby area off the Western Port Highway less than 10 minutes later Cain found Thomas and her daughters all died from the effects of the blaze and a police investigation found a significant amount of petrol was poured throughout the car said Palakamannil and Thomas had married in India in 2012 after meeting through a website for arranged marriages they moved to Australia and were granted permanent residency in 2015 Thomas began working at Melbourne hospitals as a nurse but her husband told family she had developed post-natal depression and had become paranoid during the COVID-19 pandemic Thomas unexpectedly resigned from Mulgrave Private Hospital but continued casual work at Dandenong Hospital and told family she was having issues with her marriage Palakamannil sobbed in court as he revealed the harrowing aftermath of the fire Jasmine Thomas died in the blaze alongside her daughters I’d give her pep talks before bedtime … about famine and the war and how kids go hungry about global warming and climate change .. to put a desire in her heart to … be a force for change She struggled to connect and engage with people and make friends When she couldn’t any more … in the process she took out my most prized possessions.” Palakamannil said he doubted he would ever recover from burying the three most important people in his life on the same day The aftermath of the car fire in Cranbourne West.Credit: Nine News “To see the coffin go down with all of your favourite people in it changes your life,” he said Cain noted Thomas had contact with a number of professional services but found no fault and that those agencies had no opportunities to prevent her fatal act and her concerns were largely disregarded by her wider family “Despite child protection and Victoria Police holding concerns about her mental health she did not receive any formal assistance or diagnosis,” Cain said If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here. she\\u2019d greet him with excitement in her eyes there is no one waiting for me at the door,\\u201D Palakamannil sobbed in the Coroners Court of Victoria on Tuesday \\u201C[I\\u2019m now] living in an empty and silent house.\\u201D he arrived at the family\\u2019s Lyndhurst home to find the girls playing on a mobile phone and his wife in bed she said she was taking the girls to McDonald\\u2019s Thomas then drove to the McDonald\\u2019s car park where she remained parked until about 7.30pm in a nearby area off the Western Port Highway less than 10 minutes later brought us a lot of happiness,\\u201D he said I\\u2019d give her pep talks before bedtime \\u2026 about famine and the war and how kids go hungry to put a desire in her heart to \\u2026 be a force for change When she couldn\\u2019t any more \\u2026 in the process she took out my most prized possessions.\\u201D \\u201CTo see the coffin go down with all of your favourite people in it changes your life,\\u201D he said \\u201CDespite child protection and Victoria Police holding concerns about her mental health she did not receive any formal assistance or diagnosis,\\u201D Cain said entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy Over 1500 students will benefit from the newly installed Bradman Drive pedestrian crossing as part of the Hall Road Upgrade Community feedback has brought the new Bradman Drive pedestrian crossing from idea to reality in only 12 months. We added the new pedestrian crossing to the Hall Road Upgrade following a community suggestion from Barton Primary School council president Amy Bland Works to build the Bradman Drive Pedestrian crossing were fast tracked and delivered ahead of the school year returning in January 2023 The crossing will greatly improve safety for pedestrians in the area with approximately 1500 students based at the nearby Cranbourne West Secondary College and Barton Primary School as well as several day care centres located near the crossing Residents will also benefit from the crossing with plenty of shops leash-free dog areas and reserves located just off Bradman Drive The Hall Road Upgrade is increasing the number of traffic lanes on Hall Road to 2 lanes in each direction between McCormicks Road and Western Port Highway while also upgrading intersections at McCormicks Road Evans Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road to improve traffic flow and ease congestion A new shared walking and cycling path will be constructed along sections of Hall Road Centre median and kerb side safety barriers will be installed to reduce the risk of rear and head on collisions Widening and upgrading key intersections along Hall Road will improve travel times and make it safer for the community Find out more about the Hall Road Upgrade will be replaced with a $1 billion-plus housing estate after selling to footballer-turned-developer Fraser Brown The 70.42 hectare Cranbourne Golf Course at 750 Glasscocks Road is trading for c$190 million – far more than the c$150m expectation when it hit was listed in February The Jewish owned Cranbourne Country Club was the seller; it paid £20,000 in the mid-1950s Some $10m from the sale will be tipped into a (c$120m) makeover of the nearby Huntingdale Golf Club which Cranbourne Golf Club merged with two years ago It will vacate 750 Glasscocks Rd in mid-2026 – after scheduled settlement LAWD’s Peter Sagar, Darcy Tobin and Paul Callanan acted for CCC Charter Keck Cramer’s Patrick McNulty and Tom Byrnes were transaction advisers The Cranbourne North acquisition comes nine years since Mr Brown’s Brown Property Group acquired the ex-Amstel Golf Club In a show of how fast property values have moved for this kind of product in the City of Casey that 48ha parcel cost c$40m (story continues below) CCC listed the Cranbourne Golf Club after a rezoning allowing for residential in a master-planned community also with public space commercial and possibly essential services such as childcare and a medical centre The deal comes a month since Perth based Satterley paid a speculated $220m for the former Kingswood Golf Club outlaid $125m in 2014 before pushing through a rezoning allowing for low and medium density housing – all up Fraser Brown retired from the AFL in 2000 after 11 years with Carlton with which he won a premiership in 1995 and the Best & Fairest three years later By value, the Glassrocks Rd purchase is believed to be the second biggest yet for Brown Property Group, which he has grown since. The priciest was a 116ha Clyde farm which cost c$230m in 2021 Cranbourne North is about 39 kilometres south east of Melbourne’s CBD Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login I am the world’s worst singer but I don’t care I am most passionate about my family as I am so proud of them and constantly amazed that I helped to create them It is such a fulfilling job on many different levels I love helping and observing the staff and students grow their capacity so that they have a great chance to be successful in life I started in 1974 at Collingwood Education Centre and have spent time in schools such as Keysborough PS (Chapel Road since closed) Who is the best person you’ve worked with The staff at my current school are amazing and always go above and beyond to provide the students with the best experiences that they can Each of my children’s birth provided unique experiences that are quite memorable I loved any of the humanities subjects at school What event past or present would you like to witness The symbolism around the dismantling of the Berlin wall was extremely poignant and strong Trent Dalton as I have just read his latest book Love Stories which was an incredible experience; Jeffrey Archer as he has the ability to weave stories like no other author I have read; Matthew Reilly because he has the ability to weave extreme action and history into an exciting novel Currently I am reading a Chris Ryan thriller My fashion is long sleeved shirt in winter and short sleeved shirt in summer I am at an age where long pants are preferable Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life I love dogs and we have had dogs all our married life My favourite was a golden retriever who passed away on Australia Day two years ago He is a Groodle with a really affectionate nature My favourite and easiest dish would be a stir fry with random amounts of spices I love cooking with honey to provide a bit of sweetness in spicy dishes one radio station (the ABC) and so long as I was home by sundown Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert Most people see me as an extrovert but I think I am a mixture and Liberman family-backed property financier have received planning approval from the City of Casey on a $80 million residential masterplanned community in the established south-east Melbourne growth corridor of Cranbourne West One of the last undeveloped englobo parcels in Cranbourne West the site at 950 Western Port Highway is planned to become home to a market-leading sustainable residential community comprising 181 new residences and two hectares of wetlands The joint venture partners contracted to acquire the Cranbourne West site in August 2021 and lodged the development application in November 2021 It marks Resolution’s first joint venture with Monark with Resolution Director Jeremy De Zylva saying the company had seized the opportunity to partner with the property financier recognising the increasingly limited availability of land and the site’s location adjacent to the Ranfurlie Golf Club “We are excited to be partnering with a like-minded industry peer in Monark Property Partners,” Mr De Zylva said we recognise the importance of and need for increased sustainability outcomes in residential development and housing in Melbourne and we are excited to be working with our builder partners to deliver on our vision for a market-leading sustainable community in Cranbourne West.” Monark Co-Founder and CIO Adam Slade-Jacobson said “The opportunity to partner with Resolution to create an integrated infill residential community with a particular focus on sustainability in an established growth corridor of Melbourne was particularly attractive to us and aligns with our view of market fundamentals.” The Cranbourne West project has been designed to carefully integrate community landscape and built-form design to deliver an innovative market-leading and sustainable residential community within close proximity to established amenity including the adjacent Ranfurlie Golf Club Barton Primary School and the Cranbourne Royal Botanical Gardens “Resolution’s vision is to set a new benchmark in sustainability and liveability within Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor,” Mr De Zylva said Resolution Director Frazer East added “We will partner with select builders to deliver 7 Star NatHERS and zero-carbon homes and anticipate that young families and upgraders will be attracted to the project due to its wide range of house & land packages delivering more comfort enhanced living environments and lower living costs.” Mr East went on to say that the Cranbourne West acquisition represented an “evolution of the Resolution business” “The site is an example of our strategy to acquire and develop projects in established growth-corridor locations with strong forecast population growth and close to existing amenity,” he said “It will become an exemplar sustainable residential community which reflects Resolution’s ethos of developing great places to live.” Approximately 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s CBD the site occupies a prominent position in the approved Cranbourne West Precinct Structure Plan which was gazetted for development in May 2012 and updated by the City of Casey in 2017 “With continued diminishing opportunities for new supply in the immediate area this is the last sizeable landholding earmarked for residential development within the particularly high-demand growth location of Cranbourne West,” Monark Co-Founder and CEO it is like an ‘infill’ site because it is surrounded by existing amenity in one of Melbourne’s most in-demand greenfield markets will perform well due to ongoing population growth in Melbourne’s south east limited supply of housing and the already established amenity.” Project marketing and sales agent Core Projects’ greenfield specialist attested to the recent property boom in the City of Casey saying the greenfield areas within the local government area had “always been in hot demand” with many local trading estates expected to sell out of residential lots within the next 12 months “The City of Casey is one of the fastest-growing local government regions in Melbourne and the population is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 2.2 per cent over the next 20 years “Demand for new housing in Melbourne’s south-east is forecast to remain high with historical migration from the established areas of Greater Dandenong and Frankston expected to continue coupled with demand from new young families and couples within Casey.” The joint venture project between Resolution and Monark is anticipated to launch to market in Q3 2022 with construction set to commence in Q1 2023 You must be logged in to post a comment Construction industry ready as Queensland hospital expansion review concludes Boroondara opens nominations for 2025 Urban Design Awards Construction industry leaders to take part in 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout New leadership team appointed to overhaul QLD’s construction regulator Engineers Australia calls for target of 60,000 additional engineering graduates by 2035 Willmott Dixon selected to lead construction of Northern Roots Visitor Centre in Oldham New York state launches US$16.6m road resurfacing initiative on Long Island Foster + Partners unveils design for luxury green community on Laheq Island Victoria Tower Adelaide celebrates topping out milestone Plus Architecture secures DA approval for landmark build-to-rent project in West Melbourne Why concrete carbon sequestration could revolutionise the construction industry Adoption of AI in construction remains low with widespread concerns CFMEU investigation uncovers bad behaviour in building industry Sector hones in on sustainable building elements to meet efficiency standards Concrete surface treatments still improving after decades of innovation A Cranbourne West industrial site – the subject of an independent broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission investigation – has quietly sold to Salta Property for a speculated price of over c$170 million At 635 Hall Road and 690 Western Port Highway the 123 hectare parcel is earmarked for a $1.2 billion-plus business park Leighton Property and Dacland were the vendors Cushman & Wakefield’s Andrew O’Connell and former colleague but declined to comment citing a confidentiality agreement The transaction comes 18 months since planning minister Richard Wynne refused a residential rezoning of the properties and a portion of a neighbouring 78.8ha parcel – at the time owned by the Kelly farming family – 590-620 Western Port Hwy a re-gazetting would have delivered a c$150m land value windfall co-ordinated more than $1.2m in bribes to City of Casey councillors Sam Aziz and ex-Hawthorn footballer Geoff Ablett Labor MP Pauline Richards also took donations from Mr Woodman (story continues below) IBAC launched an investigation into the conduct the City of Casey – including its councillors – was sacked Last July, ESR paid c$75m for 620 Western Port Hwy with plans for an industrial estate The Cranbourne West sites are about 10 kilometres south of Salta’s 180ha Nexus Dandenong South Industrial Estate and a neighbouring proposed $155m inland port (artist’s impression “Cranbourne West will allow us to continue to offer high quality logistics developments in the South East region that can benefit from the Dandenong South Inland Port,” Salta managing director Sam Tarascio said.  “Clients at both our Dandenong South and Cranbourne West locations will have priority arrangements with respect to access to the Dandenong South Inland Port,” he added The ‘For Every Child’ campaign made its way to Cranbourne West Primary School on Wednesday, with the school claiming a $1.1 million annual shortfall in “full funding”. The campaign, which will culminate with the delivery of thousands of postcards to Federal Parliament in late November, is calling for full funding across public schools nation-wide. According to organisers, 98 per cent of public schools funded below the minimum Schooling Resource Standard, which sits at $11,000 per primary student and $14,000 per secondary student. Campaigners are also drawing attention to teachers’ deteriorating work conditions across the country. Cranbourne West Primary School teacher Ray Payne believes addressing the underfunding is a crucial step to improving the quality of education for both teachers and students. “It’s very frustrating and a lot of people are taking time off due to stress,” Payne said. “We’re a very multicultural school and we’ve got a range of students with different educational needs. Some students need a lot of support and some of the high-achieving students need to be accelerated, but we’re short on staff and support staff, so people are missing out on both ends of the spectrum. “The general feeling is that a lack of resources, a lack of staff, and a lack of funding affects everyone. And we’re a very inclusive school. “No one misses out because of their income. But that puts a financial strain on the whole school, and on the whole education system really.” Cranbourne West Primary School principal Andrew Bergmeier states that full funding for all public schools is the only way to address these educational barriers and move forward. “Currently, Victorian schools are funded at 90 per cent of the Student Resource Standard, which means that every primary school student is missing out on $1800 of funding a year. “For a school of our size, which has about 600 kids, that’s just around $1.1 million. If we, as a school, were funded up to the 100 per cent then we would be able to employ a teacher aid for every classroom, which would significantly help our children,” Bergmeier said. “At the moment, we can only provide our students that are coming from trauma or are suffering from mental health or physical issues very limited support. “We are not medical experts or psychologists or occupational therapists, and we would, like all schools, benefit from having a dedicated professional in these roles at our school all the time. “All we want as a school community is for the state government and the federal government to live up to their pre-election promises and to provide us with what our school requires to thrive.” The Minister for Education and the Opposition spokesperson for education were both contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline. In past years, Carols by Candlelight at Cranbourne West Primary School was a much anticipated and popular event for school families and staff. Whilst the popularity has remained, the event has evolved into a more inclusive celebration that greater reflects this now culturally and linguistically diverse community. The Customs, Cultures and Christmas Concert was the result and this event has been running for many years now, with great success. There was standing room only in the school gymnasium last Wednesday as over 600 students presented a variety of musical items they had rehearsed throughout the term. Traditional Christmas carols and novelty holiday songs were sung with great enthusiasm by students of all ages, who were then transported wide-eyed by the hauntingly beautiful music, dances and costumes of Afghanistan. Uplifting Islander dances and Haka were equally appreciated by this gathering who represent 39 different cultures, with several featured in the colourful Fashion Parade earlier in the program. Other items included Sing a Song of Sixpence, Reindeer Hokey Pokey, Baker Boy’s In Control and the Twelve Davs of Christmas. Pre-concert entertainment was provided by the CWPS Band comprised of student guitarists, percussionists and singers, with the support of Arts staff. These music loving students have attended rehearsals throughout the year and have become quite proficient and multi-skilled. Their repertoire included Feliz Navidad, Pokare Kare Ana, Aussie Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. A beautiful presentation of Silent Night made a fitting finale, with all students using Auslan Sign Language with great precision, delighting the 200 strong audience. Cranbourne West Primary School endeavours to provide a learning environment that is safe, respectful, welcoming and inclusive to all. Their Customs, Cultures and Christmas Concert demonstrated this in a most meaningful way and was an exciting end to the school year. Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Industrial property giant ESR has secured third-party logistics provider CEVA as the first tenant for a new $700 million estate in Melbourne’s south-east that will aim to have one of the highest environmental ratings in the country Earthworks have already begun at the 79ha ESR Green Link Estate in Cranbourne West that will include running and walking tracks for staff to use a solar-powered embedded energy network and electric car charging stations in all facilities SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Connected Libraries (CL) and Casey Council have launched the Cranbourne West Library Lounge with purpose-built lockers at Cranbourne West Community Hub on Monday 22 January Free Wi-Fi and public computers are available for use Storytimes and regular programs will operate from the lounge CL chief executive officer Beth Luppino said the library was thrilled to offer a service for the ever-growing Cranbourne West and surrounding community New library lockers are located outside at the rear entrance of the building Libraries members can collect holds and return items at the lockers any time These lockers are also available at Orana Community Place and Manna Gum Family and Community Centre in Clyde North Ms Luppino said library lockers were easy to use Members can place holds on the CL App or catalogue They can select a locker pick-up location and when their item is available at the locker they will be notified via email to collect the item at a time convenient to them Members will also be able to return items using the lockers City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the launch of 24/7 library lockers at various hubs across Casey was a fantastic new way for busy community members to have convenient round-the-clock access to library borrowing and return services we’re proud to support CL as they continue to adapt and expand their services to support the community’s needs,” she said The Library Lounge will be open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and will be staffed a few hours each day Cranbourne West locals have a reason to celebrate because of a new Woolworths supermarket that opened its doors to shoppers on Friday 12 June Woolworths Cranbourne West Store Manager Sam Beaver said; “We’re pleased to be able to offer a convenient new store at the new Cranbourne West shopping centre for local customers that provides shoppers with a convenient shopping experience.” Among the key features at Woolworths Cranbourne West customers can save even more time with the new Drive Thru Pick Up Service by getting their groceries brought straight to the dedicated parking bays Customers can also enjoy a full production bakery and an in-store meat specialist to help decide on cuts of meats and how to prepare cook and serve them to ensure a fresh and delicious meal our new Drive Thru Pick Up Service means you can shop online and have your groceries delivered to your car in our dedicated parking bays at a time that suits you,” Sam said DELI – Customers can pick up cured meats sliced to order; their favorite olives from the deli; organic Heart Smart and locally sourced meat; and fresh seafood caught locally from Australia and New Zealand BAKERY – The full production bakery features artisan bread loaves and a new range of premium stone-baked breads and made to order cakes for any special occasion PICK UP – Personal Shoppers will carefully hand pick ready for you to pick up in store or at our dedicated Pick Up Drive Thru parking bays The new store is open from 6am to 10pm daily Woolworths Cranbourne West is located in the Cranbourne West shopping centre The doors of Cranbourne West’s newest secondary college have officially opened with almost 190 students officially beginning their high school journey Education Minister James Merlino joined Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards on Friday 29 January to officially open Cranbourne West Secondary College The government officials met with school principal Rob Duncan and community representatives for a tour of the school “The first day of school is a big day every year – but particularly after the year we had last year student and parent for their efforts last year and wish them well for the year ahead,” Mr Merlino said He credited the design and build of the school The Minister said the completed project was a “prime example” of the State Government’s school building boom across Victoria Cranbourne West is one of 14 new government schools to open across Victoria in 2021 “Growth is one of the major factors in terms of where we invest – whether it’s upgrading a school expanding a school or building a new school,” Mr Merlino said “It’s quite extraordinary just the sheer numbers that are coming through this area I was at Ramleigh Park primary school (in Clyde North) and on day one we had 460 primary school kids on the first day at a brand new school “Schools are the best way that you create a sense of community and we’re building them right across the state and we’re building them where there is enrolment demand.” Cranbourne West Secondary College has 187 students starting this year and is one of 14 new schools opening in 2021 The school will cater for up to 1100 mainstream and 100 specialist students once all stages are complete and includes a new learning community additional facilities are included in the design to accommodate students with additional needs a project/kitchen space for students with special eating requirements and a fitness room for therapeutic use “We work very closely with the Victorian School Building Authority to make sure that we‘re providing the facilities to meet that demand and we’ll keep doing that,” Mr Merlino said “There’s more that we need to do whether it’s future stages or upgrades for other schools Families love this area and the demand is there and we’re investing to make sure that we keep up with that demand.” Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said: “Every student in Cranbourne deserves access to a great local school close to home and that is exactly what we are delivering.”