Rice House in Melbourne’s Eltham is a truly one-of-a-kind property built from dome-shaped structures akin to an igloo in the Arctic. Following a sympathetic restoration, it is now on the market with a price guide of $1.65 million to $1.8 million. Set on a hilltop among regenerated native bushlands, Rice House is on the RMIT syllabus for good reason, as it’s the first commissioned house design by celebrated Australian architect Kevin Borland, a former protege of Robin Boyd. Rice House was designed and built in the 1950s for Harrie and Lorna Rice and their family who owned the home until it was sold in 2017 The current vendors have taken great care to lovingly restore the three-bedroom house to its former glory However, it’s the home’s unique architectural provenance that is drumming up buyer interest, with architects and design lovers touring the home for an up-close glimpse of this modernist gem, says listing agent Chris Chapman of Jellis Craig Eltham. “We’ve had a lot of architects, people interested in design, and inner north buyers coming out who are interested in mid-century modernist architecture,” he says. Rice House consists of two monolithic concrete structures,  each featuring a series of catenary arches constructed using the ctesiphon system (a technique in which concrete is poured onto a form made of timber structures). The $500,000 opportunity to buy into Victoria’s elite coastal address Original Brisbane dairy cow shed converted into multimillion-dollar house, ready to auction Post-COVID boom: the surprising suburbs that have more than doubled in price in the past five years “The dome structure was revolutionary at the time and something that really hadn’t been seen before,” says Chapman. “The house is studied by architecture students at RMIT in their architecture course, largely because of how innovative the design and and construction technique is.” This technique gives Rice House its “stop the scroll-worthy” facade. The first structure, known as the main house, features four arches and includes the main bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and two living areas. The second structure features two additional bedrooms and another bathroom. “There’s some flexibility in terms of how you might use the spaces, whether you use them as a dwelling or a separate workspace, gallery space,” says Chapman. Following more than 60 years of possession by the Rice family, when the property was sold in 2017, it was ripe for restoration. The current owners and vendors were passionate about ushering Rice House into a new era while preserving its wonderful modernist pedigree, and renovated the interiors, restored the buildings’ unique facades, and regenerated the native gardens. “The owners have done an incredible job to restore the home and make sure it lasts for the next 50 or 60 years without any further degradation,” says Chapman. “They restored structural integrity of the actual house but they’ve also modernised inside with new kitchen and bathrooms and restored flooring, and really there’s not much of it that they haven’t actually touched.” Today, the interiors of the home convincingly transport visitors to one of Australia’s golden eras of architecture, but beyond the home itself, the location is pretty special, adds Chapman. “The actual land itself is pretty special, it’s an acre right on top of the hill, which is not all common in Eltham to get a block that size in that location,” he says. “It’s also quite central, you’re within easy reach of Eltham train station and central Eltham shops, as well as walking distance to a couple of schools and easy access to the Eastern freeway.” Chapman predicts that the eventual buyer will be someone who isn’t in pursuit of a “conventional home” and likens the house to a work of art. “It’s almost like buying a piece of art rather than a house but it’s a piece of art that you can actually live in.” Rice House is available for private inspection only.  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 Old Eltham Collegians Football Netball Club is seeking expressions of interest for players and coaches to join the club’s netball program in 2025 The club is taking expressions of interest for players coaches and committee members to assist with their netball program ahead of the 2025 winter netball season Old Eltham Collegians 1 claimed the club’s first senior winter netball premiership in Division 3 To submit an expression of interest, click here The Fitzroy Stars Football Netball Club is seeking junior netballers for the 2025 junior winter netball campaign The South Morang Football Netball Club is seeking 11 & Under junior netballers for the upcoming junior winter netball season The Bundoora Football Netball Club is seeking netballers for their 9 & under side ahead of the 2025 winter season © Copyright 2023 Northern Football Netball League Buses will replace trains on sections of the Hursbridge line for three weeks in October for North East Link works and maintenance between Heidelberg and Eltham Passengers should allow extra time when travelling and check the PTV website or mobile app for changes to their service Replacement buses will be a mix of Express and Stopping All Stations services and will operate as often as every 5-10 minutes during peak periods To build the new road connection to North East Link over the Hurstbridge Line the existing rail tunnel between Grimshaw Street and Elder Street will be extended The nearby Grimshaw Street bridge over the rail line will also be rebuilt and widened install large concrete segments to build the tunnel and bridge and form retaining walls to support the new structures - to extend the existing rail tunnel under the Greensborough Highway Metro Trains will also carry out maintenance and infrastructure works the upgraded Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road will be connected by the new 6.5 kilometre North East Link Tunnels - slashing travel times by 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks off local roads a day Stay updated about North East Link with the key announcements and milestones Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Sydney without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Sydney Tucked in the lush tropical hills between Byron Bay and Lismore lies the gorgeous If there’s one thing Eltham is known for it’s the town’s big old country pub – offering much more than just a beer and a bite.  Built in the early 1900s and lovingly restored in 2019, The Eltham Hotel has been a local hot spot for more than a century. Most recently, its menu got a serious upgrade when ex-Saint Peter chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone took charge The pub grub here is slightly fancier than your average watering hole featuring seasonal plates like zucchini flowers with mozzarella all the usual suspects are still on offer too Sapwell also champions the Northern Rivers’ best local produce with a daily-changing specials board featuring plenty of fresh seafood and veg-friendly options You can admire the pub's retro-paint job and towering palm trees from a shaded spot out front settle into the cosy dining room for an evening meal or kick back with regional beer or wine in the courtyard Live music lovers are in for a treat with free local acts every Sunday afternoon You can even stay the night in one of The Eltham Hotel’s five gorgeous guest rooms – each named after bohemian women from the region with captivating stories to tell Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us Police negotiated the man's surrender for more than three hours as he allegedly made threats and refused to leave the Napoleon Street home in Eltham Picture Sitthixay DitthavongNegotiators were at the home until the early hours of January 16 with the 40-year-old Eltham man surrendering peacefully at 12.30am Emergency services were called at 9pm after receiving reports that the 40-year-old was making threats against another man The alleged offender refused to leave the house when officers arrived and he continued to make threats The area was cordoned off after police confirmed that no one else was in the house No one was physically injured during the siege The 40-year-old man was arrested after his surrender and to be interviewed by police The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the siege remains ongoing Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Moving around Eltham is now safer and more accessible thanks to a newly installed set of traffic lights at the intersection of Main Road and Leane Drive as a part of the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade The new traffic lights will provide more reliable travel times and get more people to where they want to be safely line-marking and kerbs means the upgraded intersection at Main Road and Leane Drive is safer for all road users strengthening links to nearby community hubs A new pedestrian crossing also offers families a safe path to a childcare centre on Main Road and nearby Alan Marshall Reserve Support independent journalism, starting from less than $2 a week. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy It looks like your email isn't registered yet—let’s get you set up We've sent a code to the below email.  Unlike a seat at the football, few politicians make a point of playing up their love of local arts and culture. And until last Thursday, the career of artist Khaled Sabsabi wouldn’t have piqued the interest of many politicians or journalists outside western Sydney.   But politics and art are not easily separated His work has often broached political themes Sabsabi’s family moved to Australia after fleeing civil war in Lebanon Sabsabi began his creative career as a spiky political rapper before shifting into more conceptual terrain with sound and video pieces a strong run of well-received exhibitions and retrospectives over the past decade culminated in the announcement by Australia’s federal arts agency Creative Australia (CA) that Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino would be Australia’s representatives to the 2026 Venice Biennale.  Buttressed by a rigorous selection process that generated a shortlist of six artistic teams, Creative Australia was unequivocal about Sabsabi’s talent and eminence. “We are proud to support this extraordinary team,” boss Adrian Collette gushed in collaboration with curator Michael Dagostino reflects the diversity and plurality of Australia’s rich culture and will spark meaningful conversations with audiences around the world.”  “Diversity”, “plurality” and “meaningful conversations” meant little once Sabsabi’s work received unfavourable coverage in The Australian which led to Tasmanian Liberal Claire Chandler pressing Foreign Minister Penny Wong about Sabsabi in question time “allowing Australian taxpayer money to fund an overseas trip for Mr Sabsabi when he has featured the dead Hezbollah terrorist leader Nasrallah in his artwork?” Wong promised to find out.  Chandler’s question related to work by Sabsabi made nearly 20 years ago, including a piece featuring assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Speaking to the ABC art critic Sasha Grishin argued that it was “only wilful ignorance that could possibly interpret” Sabsabi’s works as a glorification of terrorism “Are any of those pieces promoting terrorism or defending terrorism Within hours of Sabsabi’s mention in Parliament, Arts Minister Tony Burke was asking questions. Creative Australia’s board held an emergency meeting. By 10pm, the media release had been sent out: Sabsabi was dropped “The board believes a prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community,” they stated.  It was a shockingly swift response to an attack Creative Australia should have seen coming If the arts body thought it was hosing down a controversy with the Sabsabi decision having reverberated across Australia’s tight-knit cultural community Creative Australia has squandered the trust of Australian artists and arts workers and has undermined the integrity of its own processes The question that must be asked is: what was Creative Australia thinking Why didn’t it anticipate the negative media attention and why wasn’t it ready to defend Sabsabi and Dagostino News Corp has long subjected Arab and Muslim public figures in Australia to pointed and unfair scrutiny The war in Gaza has also made public speech in support of Palestinians risky and there has been nothing covert about Sabsabi’s position choosing to stand in “solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause”.  The backlash from News Corp and conservative politicians to Sabsabi’s nomination was predictable Yet its scrambled response reveals little in the way of contingency planning it’s unclear whether Creative Australia had even thought to brief Burke on the vulnerability of Sabsabi to the culture war tactics mobilised last week Instead of defending the artists — and their own processes — Creative Australia has hung Sabsabi and Dagostino out to dry Its actions reveal an institution ill-equipped to navigate the current political climate let alone to defend the rights of artists against partisan attack.  Scandalised responses from every quarter of the creative sector show that this episode has serious ramifications and especially those who receive funding from the federal government Creative Australia is the direct heir to the old Australia Council for the Arts. It’s not just a funding agency, but is also intended to inherit the old Australia Council’s mandate to champion the arts in Australian society. One of CA’s legislated functions is “to uphold and promote freedom of expression in the arts.” It’s hard to see how that duty has been honoured should have conditioned the leadership of Creative Australia to the likely response to their Biennale announcement.  in apparent retaliation for artists boycotting the Sydney Biennale major sponsor Transfield in 2014.  Burke and Anthony Albanese made much of their support for the arts announcing the Revive national cultural policy in early 2023 and better treatment promised after the disdain of the Morrison years Revive signalled the Albanese government’s willingness to win back the trust of Australian creative communities and to rebuild the confidence of an embattled cultural sector Creative Australia has imploded most of that good will in just a few days.  Perhaps the most dismaying aspect of the decision is the poverty of the logic advanced by Creative Australia’s board The argument that controversial art will threaten public support for culture is self-defeating handing an effective veto to anyone who wants to gin up a campaign If a couple of articles in The Australian and a single question in the Senate is all it takes to create a controversy about arts funding then CA might as well pack up and go home.  not of the board’s backflip but of the selection process via which Sabsabi was chosen The damage inflicted is not just to Creative Australia but to the standing of artists in Australia cancelling shows considered suspect.  “Taxpayers should not be paying for what is essentially a program of political activism masquerading as art and culture.” The cowardly betrayal of Sabsabi will only embolden Coalition senators News Limited journalists and other culture warriors to further scrutinise funding allocations and appointments Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity Frankston and Eltham have been thirsty for good new bars and now they have themThe much-needed newcomers include a big boozer channelling ’80s Miami and a second bar for two seasoned operators in the north-east Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime art-filled space was previously a photography studio.Deb McFadzeanBar Conexao Eltham has embraced tapas bar Little Drop of Poison so enthusiastically that it’s emboldened owners Geo Tapia and Deb McFadzean to open a sibling 200 metres away in the Eltham Town Mall precinct we wanted another venue we could send people to .. so [the venues] can bounce off each other,” says Tapia And so locals can bar crawl without having to fork out for an Uber or catch the train 20 kilometres into the CBD briny martini then explore a wine list that Tapia says champions small-scale producers such as the couple behind Tasmania’s Anim Wines centring on Spanish and Latin American food Bar Conexao’s is more snacky (there’s no kitchen) with stars such as gochujang-spiced devilled eggs and tarragon-forward chicken dip with tortilla chips And if you feel as if you’re hanging out in a gallery art-filled space was McFadzean’s photography studio and her creative flair is still all over it Shop 4, 10-18 Arthur Street, Eltham, barconexao.com.au Not far from the Frankston foreshore – but tucked away in an industrial pocket – a trio of mates has given new life to an old warehouse with the opening of 330-person Hotel Paradiso found himself constantly venturing further down the Mornington Peninsula (or into the city) for a drink he decided it was time for Frankston to get a cracking new neighbourhood bar AdvertisementWith its ’80s-Miami-inspired fitout “you don’t feel like you’re in Frankston any more” A sun-drenched deck marks the spot on Kookaburra Street and the interior is livened up with pastel hues and greenery galore Twenty taps pour everything from Victoria Bitter to beer from nearby Seaford brewery Banks as well as wallet-friendly vino and spritzes Shaken-to-order cocktails include rum-spiked dark-chocolate espresso martinis and smoky mezcal margs Neapolitan-style pizzas are the food focus – from the classic margherita to ham and pickled pineapple studded with pancetta – alongside triple-cooked hand-cut chips steak and burger nights will soon add variety to the menu And, come summer, there’ll be even more reason to get on the beers in Frankston, with craft brewer Moon Dog readying a 2000-square-metre beach club in the suburb 10 Kookaburra Street, Frankston, hotelparadiso.com.au “I just wish there was a bar nearby.” That thought crossed Ella and James Bishop’s minds so often that they took matters into their own hands opening Bar Nearby on the outskirts of Box Hill The dining options in Box Hill are as diverse as they are delicious. But the drinking options? Not so much. It’s no longer a dry zone “and there are places to drink,” admits Ella “But a proper neighbourhood bar – there’s not really one.” The couple’s bar and bottle shop leans into the welcoming British pub culture of James’s native Worcestershire One beer tap will always pour the crowd-pleasing Carlton Draught; the rest will oscillate between local brewers such as Hargreaves Hill And you can just as easily get a $13 glass of local wine as a Coravin pour of premier cru chablis you can BYO or order takeaway from a local restaurant 1115 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, barnearby.au There’s nowhere else quite like this Chinese restaurant in an ornate Melbourne mansionJishan Garden is a fine dining and afternoon tea destination, with a garden bar in the works for summer. Three new bayside openings in time for summer (including one right on the beach)Black Rock has scored an all-occasions bistro, while a new cafe and kiosk is making waves at the iconic bathing boxes in Brighton. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items Share1 / 7The snacky menu stars such as gochujang-spiced devilled eggs.Deb McFadzean2 / 7The moody art-filled space was previously a photography studio.Deb McFadzean3 / 7Pull up a seat at the bar.Supplied4 / 7Prawn cocktail with spicy mama salsa.Deb McFadzean5 / 7Bar Conexao’s tiny briny martini.Deb McFadzean6 / 7Devilled egg with salmon caviar and gochujang.Deb McFadzean7 / 7A selection of cocktails.Deb McFadzeanPrevious SlideNext SlideContemporary$$$$ Eltham has embraced tapas bar Little Drop of Poison so enthusiastically that it’s emboldened owners Geo Tapia and Deb McFadzean to open a sibling, Bar Conexao, 200 metres away in the Eltham Town Mall precinct. Wet your whistle with a tiny, briny martini then explore a wine list that champions small-scale producers. Where Little Drop’s menu is substantial, centring on Spanish and Latin American food, Bar Conexao’s is more snacky (there’s no kitchen), with stars such as gochujang-spiced devilled eggs, prawn cocktail, and tarragon-forward chicken dip with tortilla chips. And if you feel as if you’re hanging out in a gallery, you’re half right. The moody, art-filled space was McFadzean’s photography studio, and her creative flair is still all over it. With support from Melbourne Water’s Waterwatch Platypus Program and Nillumbik Shire Council volunteer group Friends of the Eltham Platypus is continuing to improve the health of our waterways for the benefit of this Australian icon Group convener Rebecca Kable spent much of her childhood in Mt Beauty along the Kiewa River where her favourite spot was home to a resident platypus After moving to Eltham in 2023 and heading for walks along Diamond Creek Rebecca said she was struck by the volume of rubbish clogging it up  “I found out that Diamond Creek has the highest entanglement rate for platypus that’s usually from hair ties Rebecca recruited friends and printed flyers in the hope of organising a volunteer group to remove litter from the creek to slow and improve the quality of stormwater entering the waterway and start revegetating the creek gully It was this grassroots campaign that led to the formation of Friends of the Eltham Platypus which remarkably has been meeting every month since November 2023 Between 20 to 40 people have turned out to remove the litter and replant native species such as the Prickly Currant Bush and Kidney Weed and month by month help restore the creek to health.  “Some of the volunteers have studied ecology but all you need to join a planting party is a love of nature,” said Rebecca said “The Waterwatch Platypus Program supports community groups to take action in key habitats and we are excited to see where our partnership with Friends of the Eltham Platypus will take us,” Waterwatch Coordinator Platypuses live in submerged burrows they build in undercut riverbanks and they feed and take refuge in wetlands whose stout frame and sharp quills contrast with the supple platypus with its beaver-like tail and webbed feet “Rebecca has gone out of her way to look at getting grants and assistance from council which manages the flood zone at Birrarung and Diamond Creek,” said Environmental Works Officer George Collins “The accessibility and safety of volunteers are also front of mind as we pick sites with pathways and vehicle access to make events as inclusive as possible.” “We are proud to support a new generation of volunteers who are working to improve and restore our waterways,” said Mayor of Nillumbik Shire Council “By helping platypus thrive in their community Join Rebecca and the Friends of the Eltham Platypus for a tree-planting party at any of these locations: Become a citizen scientist with the Waterwatch Platypus Program using theWaterwatch Portal Visit Edendale farm, Our history - Edendale Community Environment Farm We use reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam, for more information about the data we collect see our privacy website statement Melbourne Water respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past Pictures from JLL.A well established cattle breeding/fattening property is back on the market near Isisford in Central West Queensland with the option of buying the herd as well All articles from our websiteThe digital version of This Week's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other agricultural news sites in your areaContinueThe 15,779 hectare (38,990 acre) Eltham Aggregation boasts double frontage to the Barcoo River Selling agents JLL say water security is the standout feature of the sprawling property located 30km north of Yaraka 44km south-west of Isisford and 116km south of Longreach The same property was offered for sale with different agents last year One difference in the marketing campaign this time around is the option for the successful buyers to purchase about 400 Ultrablack cows and Fergus Russell from JLL are managing the sale via private treaty Quality backgrounding country in the central west back on the marketMr Warriner said the listing presents an outstanding opportunity for investors seeking a well-established breeding or fattening enterprise "The property benefits from a diversified supply network multiple permanent and semi-permanent waterholes and approximately 15km of Barcoo River frontage," Mr Warriner said Agents said Eltham had recorded two major downpours since last November delivered between 70mm-100mm across the aggregation triggering flows in both the Barcoo River and Pemberley Creek Average annual rainfall across the property is said to be around 425mm "These favourable conditions have set the enterprise up for a strong season ahead," agents said View +3 PhotosLand and soil types range from alluvial plains and hard gidgee melon hole country to boree wooded downs and open Mitchell grass downs all of which have thrived after the recent rain There has been a "significant investment" across the property in fencing The Joseland family had invested heavily in new infrastructure Most of the aggregation's perimeter is protected by exclusion fencing while internal fencing consists of three or four barbed and plain wires "This fencing system has been carefully designed to link grazing areas with holding paddocks ensuring optimal livestock movement and maximising access to the property's extensive water sources," the joint agents said Mr Russell said Eltham had high-quality infrastructure including new steel cattle yards and well-appointed accommodation facilities "The property features a practical two-storey all set within established gardens," Mr Russell said No suggested price has been offered for the sale For more information contact the selling agents from JLL - Geoff Warriner on 0408 687880 Chris Holgar on 0411 177167 and Fergus Russell on 0457 240204 ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh Today's top stories curated by our news team Our twice weekly wrap of the latest in rural property sales Our twice weekly wrap of the big news in the red meat sector Industry news from Australia's dairy sector The week's top stories curated by our news team This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive A 15,779-hectare pastoral enterprise with double frontage to the Barcoo River has been listed for sale for the second time within little more than nine months Central Queensland comprises two freehold certificates of title and is strategically located 40 kilometres north of Yaraka and 127 kilometres south of Longreach It was put to the market in May last year by Tim and Kerry Joseland and family who were planning to move closer to children in south-east Queensland and Fergus Russell of JLL have the listing this time with the property up for grabs via private treaty process Warriner said the listing presents an outstanding opportunity for investors seeking a well-established breeding or fattening enterprise complemented by the option to purchase approximately 400 Ultrablack cows He said a standout feature of the aggregation is its “exceptional” water security The property benefits from a diversified supply network and around 15 kilometres of frontage along the Barcoo River Eltham has also received two significant rainfall events since November One of those took place in the past few weeks and delivered between 70 millimetres and 100 millimetres across the aggregation and triggered flows in both the Barcoo River and Pemberley Creek “These favourable conditions have set the enterprise up for a strong season ahead,” Warriner said Farmers have been expecting to see a more positive first half of 2025 amidst a generally favourable rainfall outlook Land and soil types across the Eltham aggregation range from alluvial plains and hard gidgee melon hole country to boree wooded downs and open Mitchell grass downs A majority of Eltham’s perimeter is protected by exclusion fencing Internal fencing consists of three or four barbed and plain wires “This fencing system has been carefully designed to link grazing areas with holding paddocks ensuring optimal livestock movement and maximising access to the property’s extensive water sources,” Holgar said Green Street’s global news publications are not provided as an investment advisor nor in the capacity of a fiduciary  Our global organization maintains information barriers to ensure the independence of and distinction between our non-regulated and regulated businesses is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 482269) and a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 06471304 The Royal Borough of Greenwich has successfully fined an Eltham business £17,258 for selling illegal vapes director of Repairs 4 Mobile on Eltham High Street pled guilty at Bromley Magistrates Court for selling mislabelled vapes some which featured unauthorised trademarks of sweet brands and cartoon-style images of fruit-based characters the business had been visited multiple times by the council and guidance on legal selling practises was provided 603 illegal vapes were still found to be on sale at the premises and seized Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “This fine is a great outcome and sends a message of the council’s no-tolerance approach to the sale of illegal vapes These vapes were clearly marketed towards minors which is completely unacceptable and dangerous so the fine reflects the seriousness of the offence “We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our residents are safe and feel safer especially when it comes to prosecuting traders that market dangerous products so deliberately to children and young people We hope this substantial fine sends a message to anyone seeking to trade harmful goods in our borough.” Mr Zia and the company were each fined £2,500 with victim compensation charges of £1,000 and costs of £5,129 totalling £17,258 to be paid between the company and director Mr Zia said that he had been experiencing medical problems and his staff had been selling these vapes without his permission To report the illegal sale of vapes or tobacco products, please contact tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or you can report it anonymously on the London Trading Standards website Eltham is now a remarkable stand-alone basketball juggernaut that churns out Opals and AFL stars alike Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later This is a fantastic outcome for the people of Eltham who now know that the southern Gateway will be a permanent part of their local community Nillumbik has a new green space to enjoy with the official opening of the Eltham Gateway Project in Main Road Community members yesterday made the most of the beautiful autumn weather to help put the finishing touches to the park during a planting day and official opening The green space next to Eltham Lower Park includes extensive re-vegetation completely transforming what was had been a previously degraded area The rehabilitation works have seen the planting of thousands of new indigenous and native trees Much of the timber and mulch used for fencing seating and sleepers for the project were recycled from the dead dying and weed species trees that were removed in October carvings will be created from the pine tree stumps that remain on site The public artwork now in place across the road near the flower stall will be officially lit up at night following a separate launch in early June The design and layout is the product of extensive community consultation - as a local I look forward to taking my children to enjoy this brand new and beautiful open space There was a huge turnout of community members at yesterday’s community planting day later enjoying a sausage sizzle put on by the Eltham Lions Club The Eltham Gateway Project has been a collaboration between Council Major Road Projects Victoria and the Southern Gateway Renewal Group Hundreds of community members have had their input into the design of the project which was completed by local company ID Landscaping The Eltham Gateway Project was funded by Nillumbik Shire Council and Major Road Projects Victoria The Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade promised to ease congestion and make traveling through the area more reliable – we’ve done that and created new open space at the same time Victoria’s planning tribunal said the Eltham development ‘should have been supported’ as an ‘innovative approach’ to the housing crisis The local council had other ideasThis article is more than 11 months oldVictoria’s planning tribunal said the Eltham development ‘should have been supported’ as an ‘innovative approach’ to the housing crisis they did not envision the barriers they would face from local council The proposed development of 21 townhouses overlooking a creek in Eltham plenty of shared space and respect for heritage and the local neighbourhood According to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, it was the type of project that “could and should have been supported and fast-tracked”, an “exemplar of an innovative approach” to dealing with the state’s housing crisis Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup After a three-day hearing in mid-April, Vcat overturned the council’s decision to deny a planning permit. Magnus Irvine, one of the initial founders of the project, hopes Vcat’s decision will lead others to consider embracing the co-housing model. “It has been hard to get across to people the benefits of this sort of village-style development,” Irvine says. Since gaining popularity in Denmark in the 1960’s, co-housing has spread across Europe and the US. In most instances it involves a small community who live in privately contained homes but share common spaces and resources. Read moreIrvine says he first became interested in the concept several years ago when studying in South Australia where he visited the Aldinga Arts Eco Village a 350-resident development in south Adelaide where 60% of the land is community-owned shared space including a farm and shed for gatherings and workshops “The idea of living in a community really appealed to me,” Irvine says Magnus Irvine gives a tour of the site – a former nursery and cafe – on Brougham Street Photograph: Nadir Kinani/The Guardian“I often spend a lot of time by myself at home … with co-housing all I have to do is walk out my door and there’s people around.” he found others who were interested in bringing the approach to Melbourne’s fringe LiveHow did Australia's housing market get so bad Riley has worked on 10 projects through a co-operative model The first was with a group of friends looking to buy their first homes about a decade ago in Northcote They shared the costs of construction and ended up with a townhouse each maybe other people will be interested in this sort of approach,” he says co-housing is cheaper than standard construction by about 10% as it “essentially cuts out the middle man” “I’m not aware of any other model in Australia that’s actually delivering more affordable housing on the private market,” he says Irvine and the group found their 6,600-square metre site – a former nursery and cafe – about 250m from the Eltham railway station “This was before I knew it might possibly be a challenging council to work with,” Irvine says While the site is a mixed use zone, which is specifically set out for housing at higher densities, it is also covered by multiple planning controls. In Vcat’s decision, it found the Nillumbuk council had “misinterpreted” the role of the design and development overlay, which was intended to protect the “special character of the natural and built landscape” of part of the suburb. Vcat also found it failed to “to engage with the communal approach that drives the design” of the project. “This was by no means a half-baked idea. Instead, the group engaged highly respected professionals in a range of fields, including architecture, to design a series of dwellings that responded to the site’s constraints in an informed and clever manner,” Vcat said. Read more“In a system where a development only needs to meet an appropriate or reasonable standard in order to gain a planning permit it is our view that this proposal goes well beyond such measures.” Nillumbuk council said it respected the Vcat decision It said its main concern was the site sits on a flood zone with the issue having been resolved prior to the hearing “We hope our further concerns are addressed through the conditions of the Vcat decision,” a spokesperson said fast-tracking the application was not possible due to “multiple planning controls” Members of the Brougham Street Cohousing collective The group of Melburnians banded together with a plan to build their dream homes Photograph: Ross WadeOnce completed in 2026 Brougham Street will consist of townhouses varying from one to four bedrooms Heritage-listed existing mud-brick buildings will be retained for communal space complementing a communal kitchen and dining room The project isn’t cheap – it works out to roughly $1m a household But Riley hopes with state government support the concept can be expanded to include first home buyers and could work with community housing developments “These projects have been really amazing to work on and impactful in their own right but with some support it could really change things,” he says a rare and delicate species native to Melbourne’s north-east has encountered various challenges in recent years Thursday is National Threatened Species Day and provides an opportunity to shine a light on species that are facing a similar fate to that of the Eltham Copper Butterfly which was listed as threatened under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 funding from the Australian Government and a strong partnership with Nillumbik Shire Council Friends of Andrew Yandell Reserve and Eltham East Primary School there is hope for the survival and thriving of this magnificent butterfly. Efforts have focused on both reserves and private land in Eltham Catchment Collaborations & Relationships said “We are committed to working with our partners on a range of research and conservation initiatives to ensure a long-term future for this species.” scientifically known as Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida is an iconic species that has faced a decline in population due to habitat loss and fragmentation This butterfly relies on specific plant species that are found in the grassy woodlands and open forests of the Eltham and Greensborough areas urbanisation and land development have resulted in the destruction and degradation of its natural habitat Recognising the importance of preserving this unique species with funding from the Australian Government has supported our partner organisations to implement various conservation initiatives aimed at restoring and protecting the Eltham Copper Butterfly's habitat These initiatives include habitat restoration projects and the creation of butterfly-friendly environments Partnerships and collaboration with Nillumbik Shire Council conservation organisations and the community has been crucial in safeguarding the Eltham Copper Butterfly these stakeholders have been able to pool resources and expertise to develop comprehensive conservation strategies These strategies focus on habitat management and public awareness campaigns to educate the community about the importance of protecting this endangered species Nillumbik Shire Council and Banyule Council supported by volunteers from Friends of the Eltham Copper Butterfly conduct regular surveys and monitoring programs to assess the population status and distribution of the Eltham Copper Butterfly enabling researchers and conservationists to make informed decisions and implement targeted conservation actions The Eltham Copper Butterfly's survival and growth not only benefit the species itself but also contribute to the overall biodiversity and ecological health of the Eltham and Greensborough areas This delicate butterfly plays a vital role in pollination ensuring the reproduction of various plant species and maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem Over 235 participants engaged in conservation efforts to support a range of actions at gaining a better understanding of the Eltham Copper Butterfly and reducing its risk of extinction Melbourne Water has a long and successful history of partnering with agencies to care for our catchment health in a way that benefits our environment and our community.  Guided by the integrated Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy Melbourne Water seeks to protect and enhance our natural environment through strong partnerships involving - Traditional Owner corporations community groups and private landowners and managers Melbourne Water remains committed to the long-term conservation of the Eltham Copper Butterfly Through continued collaboration with government agencies Melbourne Water aims to secure a sustainable future for this rare and beautiful species The funding allocated to the protection of the Eltham Copper Butterfly through the Australian Government has had a significant positive impact on conservation efforts the project has created a more favourable environment for this delicate species to thrive “The increased data collection from our partner’s dedicated efforts has furthered our understanding of the butterfly's needs and behaviours enabling more targeted and effective conservation strategies As we continue to shine a light on the Eltham Copper Butterfly we are hopeful that these efforts will ensure its survival for generations to come.” Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The most profitable locations for home buyers in Melbourne have been revealed in new research that shows suburbs desired for their lifestyle are also a sound investment 98.9 per cent of all property resales over the past decade made a capital gain ranks top in Melbourne in the 10 years to March It was followed by the Yarra Ranges shire (98.6 per cent) and the Macedon Ranges (also 98.6 per cent) – both of which the Australian Bureau of Statistics designates as partly within Greater Melbourne – then Casey (98.4 per cent) and the Mornington Peninsula (98.2 per cent) Lower-density lifestyle locations close to greenery or the beach have proved a contrast to some inner-city pockets heavy with high-rise development, where close to two in five property owners resell at a loss CoreLogic head of Australian research Eliza Owen said desirable lifestyle locations that had long periods of steady growth and perhaps a jump in value during COVID-19 lockdowns were likely to record high rates of profitability She said beautiful natural surrounds were highly valued by home buyers “That is what we think of around tree-changing and that leads to the transformation of these areas over time,” she said “The fact that they’re attracting high-income owners – and that pushes up the value and increases the incidence of profitability.” Owen added that suburbs further from the city were likely to increase in value as buyer demand flowed further out from expensive inner areas Eltham offers a serene lifestyle and a high chance of reselling property at a profit.Credit: Justin McManus “You would get continual increases in population in some of the very peripheral areas of Melbourne as people get priced out of more central markets and as the population of Melbourne grows,” she said Owning a home for a long time can also mitigate the risk of selling at a loss boosting areas with long-held family homes rather than investment properties Eltham residents Grant and Sharon Way built their home in 1995 after living seven years elsewhere in the suburb The retired empty nesters have made the bittersweet decision to downsize and embark on a sea change to Barwon Heads Grant and Sharon Way are long-term Eltham locals.Credit: Paul Jeffers They value Eltham’s green space and community feel and are unsurprised to learn home owners there almost always sell for a profit “It’s pretty tightly held as a lot of our neighbours have been here longer than us,” Grant said “If you’re going to be in an area for that long He feels the suburb is like being in the countryside but still so close to urban Melbourne with great neighbours and bigger blocks of land that we had space – we did not envy people that were locked up in an apartment in town You still get that feeling of serenity out here,” he said “Mine is the community thing but definitely the greenery,” Sharon added “It’s so beautiful and treed – part of the green wedge.” said the area offered a peaceful and quiet setting that was still accessible to the CBD and attracted buyers during lockdown from smaller homes in the inner northern suburbs walking paths and the Yarra River were drawcards along with homes with backyards and nature views “In Eltham you can get a fantastic home on a quarter acre block of land for a pretty reasonable price,” Morrison said “Eltham has become really desirable and the prices have become very solid.” He is fielding demand from local and out-of-area buyers and said many owners of family homes on larger blocks tended to stay at least a decade “COVID really highlighted what a fantastic lifestyle it could offer families,” he said Kay and Burton Portsea director Liz Jensen said buyers were drawn to the range of beaches and the social scene within an easy drive of inner Melbourne since the freeway opened little over a decade ago She said the area had recorded steady growth plus a peak in buyer interest during the lockdown years when Melbourne buyers were searching for more space to work from home in beautiful natural environments “Down here there was a bit of fresh air and they could breathe,” she said Hamptons-type atmosphere that she distinguished from somewhere like the Gold Coast “Sorrento might have some cosmopolitan shops now but it’s not glitzy in any way; it’s still very natural .. “The [area] lends yourself to feeling like you’re on holiday in Melbourne\\u2019s leafy outer north-east It was followed by the Yarra Ranges shire (98.6 per cent) and the Macedon Ranges (also 98.6 per cent) \\u2013 both of which the \\u2013 then Casey (98.4 per cent) and the Mornington Peninsula (98.2 per cent) Lower-density lifestyle locations close to greenery or the beach have proved a contrast to some inner-city pockets heavy with high-rise development \\u201CThat is what we think of around tree-changing and that leads to the transformation of these areas over time,\\u201D she said \\u201CThe fact that they\\u2019re attracting high-income owners \\u2013 and that pushes up the value and increases the incidence of profitability.\\u201D \\u201CYou would get continual increases in population in some of the very peripheral areas of Melbourne as people get priced out of more central markets and as the population of Melbourne grows,\\u201D she said They value Eltham\\u2019s green space and community feel and are unsurprised to learn home owners there almost always sell for a profit \\u201CIt\\u2019s pretty tightly held as a lot of our neighbours have been here longer than us,\\u201D Grant said \\u201CIf you\\u2019re going to be in an area for that long you\\u2019re going to get capital growth.\\u201D \\u201CThat was especially important over COVID that we had space \\u2013 we did not envy people that were locked up in an apartment in town You still get that feeling of serenity out here,\\u201D he said \\u201CMine is the community thing but definitely the greenery,\\u201D Sharon added \\u201CIt\\u2019s so beautiful and treed \\u2013 part of the green wedge.\\u201D \\u201CIn Eltham you can get a fantastic home on a quarter acre block of land for a pretty reasonable price,\\u201D Morrison said \\u201CEltham has become really desirable and the prices have become very solid.\\u201D \\u201CCOVID really highlighted what a fantastic lifestyle it could offer families,\\u201D he said holiday playground of Melbourne\\u2019s wealthy \\u201CDown here there was a bit of fresh air and they could breathe,\\u201D she said \\u201CSorrento might have some cosmopolitan shops now but it\\u2019s not glitzy in any way; it\\u2019s still very natural .. \\u201CThe [area] lends yourself to feeling like you\\u2019re on holiday with the ocean on one side and the bay.\\u201D When Maria Hancock fled Nicolae Ceausescu's authoritarian regime in 1986 she never thought she might end up in rural Taranaki running a small luxury hotel She was the daughter of a retired colonel in communist Romania Nearly 40 years on and after living in several countries she and her husband have refurbished Eltham’s former post office an historic two-storey building near a busy crossroads Maria and New Zealand-born David fell in love with the high studded classically styled structure on Bridge Street and bought it in 2019 it was tired after its heyday as a post office from 1905 to 1995 With the help of some talented tradespeople they set to transforming the building for opening day in April 2021 Maria found herself sewing sumptuous curtains putting up wallpaper and starching sheets ready for the first guests The building reminded her of her old life in eastern Europe and she and David wanted to instill it with some European flair Despite the hardship for most under Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule Maria said she grew up comfortably in an area known as Little Paris for its grand buildings and boulevards four times bigger than this … you could feel the magnitude of the building and big stairs and light,” she told Country Life on a tour of the home But she decided to flee after the offer of a career promotion which would involve becoming a member of the communist party She could see the struggles of people living under rationing and surveillance Her own family would resort to conversations outside for fear of the Securitate - Romania's secret police - listening in via devices in the home and you couldn't find the smile on their faces.” which has inspired Maria and David’s project to help the people of Ukraine as they struggle in a war with the authoritarian regime of Russia For two years, the Hancocks have been baking tiny gingernut biscuits to raise funds for the charity Relief Aid which provides aid to people living in war zones “We started making them here in the kitchen and sending the funds and they went quite well so we knew it was going to be a bit of a long-term commitment and it has been,” David said putting another batch of biscuits into the oven They hatched the idea after looking around for another local "with style", Helena Barnard They wanted to name their luxury suite after her After learning of the British Empire Medal recipient's prodigious war effort baking four-and-a-half tonnes of gingernuts for New Zealand soldiers fighting in the two world wars - wrapped in Taranaki newspapers with news of home - they decided they should launch their own charitable project for the people of Ukraine Their biscuits were sold locally and were well supported by the townspeople Some had even found their way to people in Ukraine 'it just helped us so much to know that people on the other side of the world were thinking about us'.” See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes Big away win for South Springvale against the Redbacks – Western Suburbs failed against Strathmore – Yarraville sinks deeper in the standings – The Cobras won the civil battle against Chisholm their away game against Strathmore was not their shining moment they were no match for the unstoppable force that is Callum Nicholas Nicholas proved why he’s reigning supreme as one of the top footballers in the league the team will have another chance to dominate as they face off against Corio this weekend Their 1-1 draw with Upfield leaves them in the same spot They’ll face Yarraville this weekend a game that promises to be a Greek cultural extravaganza is in dire need of a win to ignite hope for the future last week’s 1-0 defeat against Geelong only added to their woes Springvale South has their sights set on moving up a division packing a punch of passion and power to their squad they demolished Eltham 1-2 on their own turf they have their sights set on Gippsland United with one goal in mind – to snatch up three points and nab that top spot on the table Malvern may need a ladder to reach the top teams in the standings In their previous match against Gippsland United Malvern dominated but could only muster a draw they can leave their opponents seeing blue and white this week when they face off with 10th-ranked Collingwood City on their home turf Westvale Olympic has snagged the fourth spot in the standings with a home victory against Uni Hill Eagles with a score of 2 – 1 The Greek-Australian squad is back at it this weekend taking on the ever-threatening Hume United Mill Park may have missed out on a sweet away victory as they settled for a 1-1 tie against Hoppers Crossing With a formidable match against second-place Albion Rovers looming at their own turf this weekend they better bring their A game and leave the wasted opportunities behind The match between Altona East Phoenix and Whittlesea Ranges resulted in a stalemate PAOK will journey to Lalor to take on the homegrown United team The Cobras slithered their way to glory in last weeks “Greek” derby outmaneuvering Chisholm United with a fierce 3-1 score they effortlessly snagged the win and three precious points they’ll take on Mooroolbark while the Oakleigh crew will journey to North Caulfield for another showdown against the locals The Bayside Argonauts walked away from WJ Turner Reserve with just one point after a tied game They brought their A-game against Greater Dandenong displaying a fiery passion and a can-do attitude on the field Though the match ultimately ended in a 1-1 stalemate the Argonauts are ready to conquer their next challenge – facing off against the second-ranked Peninsula Strikers on their own turf Waverley Wanderers had a decent day last week managing to score a sweet point against Monash City Villarreal in the Oakleigh showdown But this weekend’s battle is bringing their hospitality skills to the test as they welcome the fierce fifth-ranked Kings Domain to their turf Darebin United slayed Fawkner with a spectacular 3-2 victory on home turf they’ll be taking their talents to Docklands to face off against the hometown heroes West Preston kicked the Moonee Valley Knights to the curb with a smashing score of 3-1 Now they’re sitting pretty in fifth place just a couple steps below the “throne” But will they reign victorious this weekend as they take on Fawkner in a home game showdown Olympiacos from East Kew is currently at the top of the standings The “red and whites” defeated Glen Waverley 2-0 and are now concentrating on this week’s game against the Templestowe Wolves The mighty A.E.K from Keon Park caused havoc as they journeyed to Tullamarine smashing in five goals and claiming a sweet victory for three points Can they keep the “yellow and black” streak going on the road against Birrarung Strathmore – Western Suburbs 3 – 0 Eltham Redbacks – South Springvale 1 – 2 Gippsland United – Malvern City 1 – 1 South Springvale – Gippsland United 3pm Altona East Phoenix – Whittlesea Ranges 1 – 1 Westvale Olympic – Uni Hill Eagles 2 – 1 Lalor United – Altona East Phoenix 3pm Bentleigh United Cobras – Chisholm United 3 – 1 Greater Dandenong – Bayside Argonauts 1 – 1 Peninsula Strikers – Bayside Argonauts 3pm Mooroolbark – Bentleigh United Cobras 3pm North Caulfield – Chisholm United 3pm Monash City Villarreal – Waverley Wanderers 2 – 2 Waverley Wanderers – Kings Domain 3pm West Preston – Moonee Valley Knights 3 – 1 Glen Waverley – East Kew 0 – 2