URL: www.bayside.vic.gov.au/former-csiro-site-development-highett-commonClient IP: 147.45.197.102Attack ID: 20000018Message ID: 000591746589 Please contact the administrator for additional information. We’re removing all dangerous and congested level crossings on the Frankston Line by 2029. This means more benefits for local communities and a better transport network for all Victorians. As part of these level crossing removals, we’ll build new stations at Highett, Mordialloc, Aspendale and Seaford. About 51,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each weekday, with boom gates down for up to 48 minutes of the morning peak. More trains will be able to run on the Frankston Line when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, so removing these crossings now will prevent even more boom gate down time in the future. There have been 51 near misses at these locations since 2016, as well as one fatality. Communities along the Frankston Line are already benefitting from 18 level crossing removals meaning safer and less congested roads, and new public transport facilities. Communities will hear more from our teams early next year about the removal of these level crossings. This will include information on how to get involved, project timelines and what early investigations will be happening. On behalf of the Victorian Government, the Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030. Stay updated about Victoria’s Big Build with the key announcements and milestones. but we don't want to lose you.\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"notfound-page__text-block\",\"children\":\"We recently updated the way we organise our articles 'div-gpt-ad-1511396693346-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1511394032333-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_bottom_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511396722471-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Hompage_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1661741627089-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/undefinedTUD_Homepage_Internal_728x90' 'div-gpt-ad-1534480172990-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // home leaderboard (mobile)\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_top_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511397345189-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1511397440293-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_bottom_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511397726219-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/TUD_Homepage_Internal_728x90' 'div-gpt-ad-1664889583870-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // article leaderboard (mobile)\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_top_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511489394358-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // skycraper\n var homeSkyscaper = googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_homepage_Skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511394913790-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n var homeSkyscaperTwo = googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_2nd_homepage_skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511938125244-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // medium rectangle\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_LHS_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395165249-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395202314-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_RHS_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395237641-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Mobile_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511489982092-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_2nd_homepage_skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511938773649-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_leaderboard_position_2' 'div-gpt-ad-1510792120057-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Article-page_Position01' initial-scale=1\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"title\",\"2\",{\"children\":\"Tribunal Clears Way for Hallmarc Highett Project | The Urban Developer\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"3\",{\"name\":\"description\",\"content\":\"The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has approved the third and final stage of Hallmarc’s 10-building master-planned community in Melbourne’s southern suburbs.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgreement was reached at a tribunal-mandated compulsory conference between the Melbourne-based residential commercial and retail developer and the Bayside City Council.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe decision allows Hallmarc’s plans for four buildings with 245 apartments to go ahead in Highett about 16km south-east of Melbourne CBD.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe buildings will include a mix of one business lounge and a network of communal open spaces.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHallmarc said it had sold out the two previous stages of the masterplan made up of a total six buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c!--\u003cp\u003e\"It\u0026rsquo;s exciting to finally be progressing with the last part of this project We have been\u0026nbsp;part of the Highett community for a long time approving a \u003ca href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/hallmarc-wins-vcat-nod-for-williamstown-warehouses\" data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/hallmarc-wins-vcat-nod-for-williamstown-warehouses\"\u003e184-warehouse project\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;at Lots A and B after planning permission was refused by Hobsons Bay City Council.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd last month the developer won approval from the tribunal for a mixed-use residential building in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs amending and deleting a series of conditions imposed by the Banyule City Council.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn that case Hallmarc had applied to\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/hallmarc-wins-tribunal-approval-for-heidelberg-mixed-use\" data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/hallmarc-wins-tribunal-approval-for-heidelberg-mixed-use\"\u003ebuild an eight to 10-storey mixed-use\u0026nbsp;\u003c/a\u003estructure after the council agreed to sell the air rights above one of its owned and operated carparks at Heidelberg Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook Agreement was reached at a tribunal-mandated compulsory conference between the Melbourne-based residential commercial and retail developer and the Bayside City Council The decision allows Hallmarc’s plans for four buildings with 245 apartments to go ahead in Highett business lounge and a network of communal open spaces Hallmarc said it had sold out the two previous stages of the masterplan It’s the third time this year Hallmarc has gone through VCAT for rulings In January the tribunal came down in the developer’s favour, approving a 184-warehouse project at Lots A and B after planning permission was refused by Hobsons Bay City Council And last month the developer won approval from the tribunal for a mixed-use residential building in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs amending and deleting a series of conditions imposed by the Banyule City Council In that case, Hallmarc had applied to build an eight to 10-storey mixed-use structure after the council agreed to sell the air rights above one of its owned and operated carparks at Heidelberg Sunkin Property Group has officially topped out Park House, the first building in Highett Common Park House is Highett Common’s first building to reach height completion within a precinct that will be home to over 1,000 residences once completed The topping out event is a centuries-old tradition with roots in Scandinavia The practice stems from symbolic ceremonies of respecting the land that has been disturbed throughout the construction process It is believed the practice will bring good fortune and prosperity to the future site and its residents The celebration also presented an opportunity to acknowledge the work and dedication put forth by the project team to reach this level of construction Highett Common is being brought to life by some of the most well-renowned leaders in the industry. Tract Landscape Architects has been engaged as lead consultant to highlight the importance placed on integrating the development with its natural surroundings Other partners helping to bring the spaces to life include furniture partner, Coco Republic, and project manager, Gallagher Jeffs who are playing important roles in the new phase Sunkin has appointed Delta Group as the head contractor for Highett Common’s next phase tasked with creating the very first open greenspaces and parklands Landscape designers at Tract Consultants have curated a vision and masterplan that seamlessly integrates this parkland into the existing natural site which the team at Delta will now help to realise Activity and works are underway on-site with practical completion expected by May 2025. This will be followed by a council handover process in time for the move-in of the first Highett Common residents in 2025 the Park House Future residents will benefit from Highett Common's state-of-the-art amenities Sunkin recently launched the newest stage at Highett Common, The Mews Collection 185 apartments across the next three buildings Part of the release is the first opportunity to buy the most high-end apartments in the precinct The Luxury Collection will comprise 12 luxury apartments designed for owner-occupiers and downsizers We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home This is probably not the page you’re looking for Multi-residential apartment developer H1Land Group has commenced construction on their Highett apartment development H1Land grabbed one of the most connected blocks of land in the whole of Highett, where the Rothelowman-designed Southpoint towers will rise from completed in early 2026 Southpoint will consist of a 12-level building offering views over Bayside and a four-level building fronting Matthieson Street The development will include 217 apartments with prices starting at $465,000 for a one-bedroom unit The 12-level building will feature rooftop amenities, including a plunge pool, communal well-being spaces, barbecue facilities, and a bar area. These amenities will provide uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Bay, CBD, and Dandenong Ranges Southpoint is strategically located across the road from Westfield Southland one of Australia's largest shopping centres and is just a six-minute walk from Southland Train Station The development is also a 10-minute drive from Melbourne's Bayside beaches and within the catchment area of several reputable educational institutions including Firbank Grammar, Mentone Grammar, and Cheltenham Secondary College. Southpoint is expected to be completed by early 2026, providing a mix of residential options aimed at both families and professionals looking for a connected and well-serviced location. Savills is handling the project marketing for Southpoint. We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia. We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home! initial-scale=1\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"title\",\"2\",{\"children\":\"Sunkin Signs Builder for $600m Bayside Masterplan | The Urban Developer\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"3\",{\"name\":\"description\",\"content\":\"To beat rising costs we’ve witnessed a 30 per cent increase in construction companies going insolvent over the past 12 months and it was critical for us to protect the project and our purchasers from any similar risks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It’s not about margin or additional profit in fact in light of the construction pricing challenges this allows us to run construction at a lower margin The developer appointed SK Construction to deliver the $600-million precinct and also announced a partnership deal with the builder Under the terms of the exclusive agreement SK Construction will now deliver not just Highett Common but all the other projects in Sunkin Property Group’s pipeline “The exclusive partnership with SK Construction allows Sunkin to have complete oversight over the delivery status and budget of each stage within Highett Common,” Sunkin property general manager Lloyd Collins said “This agreement allows us to better control the construction process and therefore provide additional delivery assurance to our customers we’ve witnessed a 30 per cent increase in construction companies going insolvent over the past 12 months and it was critical for us to protect the project and our purchasers from any similar risks “It’s not about margin or additional profit which ultimately builds value for the end occupants.” Work has begun on the first stage of the Highett Common project with an estimated cost of $70 million and 167 apartments scheduled for completion by late 2025 There will be several stages of construction across the 9.3ha site with more than 1000 new apartments and townhouses delivered by 2029 Sunkin has built more than $10 million of early infrastructure works at the project including roads water infrastructure and early works for basement levels Highett Common has net-zero targets with solar panels and access to green electricity and thermal insulation There is also a 3ha conservation area set aside as part of the project that will be managed in partnership with the Bayside City Council The developer has achieved more than $90 million in sales Privately-owned developer, Sunkin Property Group, has formally appointed SK Construction to deliver on its $600 million masterplanned development, Highett Common, in Melbourne’s bayside The partnership commences a unique builder-developer relationship between the two companies, with SK Construction and Sunkin forming a completely exclusive agreement to deliver the developer’s existing and future project pipeline The announcement coincides with the commencement of Highett Common’s $70 million stage 1 construction program which will see 167 new apartments completed by late 2025 The 9.3-hectare precinct will be delivered in multiple stages over the next five years with Sunkin anticipating the delivery of over 1000 new apartments and townhouses across the master plan by 2029 Lloyd Collins, General Manager of Property at Sunkin Property Group, says the developer considered several external builders for Highett Common before an exclusive partnership was created with SK Construction “The exclusive partnership with SK Construction allows Sunkin to have complete oversight over the delivery status and budget of each stage within Highett Common," Collins says "This agreement allows us to better control the construction process and therefore provide additional delivery assurance to our customers we’ve witnessed a 30 per cent increase in construction companies going insolvent over the past 12 months and it was critical for us to protect the project and our purchasers from any similar risks "This will allow us to manage relationships directly with our preferred trades have greater visibility over quality control manage risks and ultimately manage timely delivery for all involved It’s not about margin or additional profit this allows us to run construction at lower margins which ultimately builds value for the end occupants." Collins says it is critical to the project’s enduring long-term value that its amenities and public facilities are delivered to enduring standards, including its vast open green spaces, playgrounds, community hub and library so that Highett Common can become a thriving precinct for generations to come as well as catering to the future  population demands of the area exceeding initial sales targets by $20 million SK Construction will work alongside Sunkin to further deliver on Highett Common’s net-zero ambitions with its in-house design and procurement team sourcing internal and external materials and products that reduce energy consumption and provide the ability to rely on green electricity Solar panels will be incorporated in each of the precinct’s buildings to meet the project’s net-zero targets meaning each residence will be able to access green electricity This will also extend to public and private amenities with plans for lighting in the communal areas and a new public library to have the ability to generate solar power Collins says ensuring one construction partner for the lifetime of the development program means that they can forward plan important elements of future construction phases particularly around green spaces and landscaping "This means that wellness and recreation facilities have the benefit of mature plantings by the time they are open for use." The construction delivery of Highett Common will also conform to Tier 1 ISO standards across Environmental, OH&S and Quality Management Systems. SK Construction has also developed a specific waste management plan to assist in achieving the project’s sustainability targets with a certified waste management contractor in place to ensure at least 80 per cent recycled content can be effectively used During the construction program, SK Construction will work alongside Sunkin, Clarke Hopkins Clarke, Tract  Consultants and Bayside City Council to maintain and preserve native flora and fauna within the site’s 3- 3-hectare conservation area Stage 3 of Highett Common will launch to the public in Q3 2024 with completion of the entire masterplanned precinct anticipated for completion by 2029 A young couple has snapped up a house in Melbourne’s south east at its auction listed for the first time in three decades The four-bedroom abode at 3 Dalmont St, Highett sold under the hammer for $1.49m about $40,000 above its on the market value RELATED: Highett’s ‘Christmas house’ brings a slice of Daylesford to bayside Melbourne Former footy stars prepare to auction off properties South Aussie NBA star lists slam dunk investment the home received 26 offers from the large crowd on Saturday afternoon Hodges Sandringham principal Amanda Thomson said the young couple who purchased it originally from Perth but had been renting locally were looking forward to moving in as they loved the area “They just love the character of the home,” Ms Thomson said the buyers were crying; it was just a really nice Seller Jill Taylor said she was very happy but very sad to be letting go of her property which she had owned since 1995 “I want to smile and cry at the same time,” Ms Taylor said “A really nice couple have bought the house and intend to some fixing up and to enjoy living here “It’s a good feeling that it’s not going to be demolished; we’ve got owls in the backyard so they’ll still have a home.” She added that it was important to her that the house was going to continue being a family home Ms Taylor said her son had been living in the abode and was responsible for “modernising” it such as redoing the garden “He instigated the Christmas theme; this (sale) is a huge wrench for him,” she said the now-former homeowners had decorated their front garden with a large yearly festive display and lights which has led to local residents dubbing it “the Christmas house” Ms Hodges told The Herald Sun earlier that the circa-1950 house was close to the suburb’s border with neighbouring Sandringham where it is in the street is like being in the country,” she said “The number one reason why is the rustic character of the home and number two is that it backs onto the Ashwood Ave parkland.” 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: Careers that can afford Melbourne house prices Millionaire foreign investors jump on Vic homes Suburbs that Victorians never want to leave revealed 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. is known as “the Christmas house” thanks to its owners festive yearly displays A rustic character-filled house described as a slice of Daylesford in bayside Melbourne is on the market for the first time in three decades with a $1.4m-$1.5m asking range Hodges Sandringham’s Amanda Thomson says the circa-1950 home at 3 Dalmont St, Highett, is close to the suburb’s border with neighbouring Sandringham The family who have owned the property for more than 30 years named it “Kanandah” RELATED: Highett Common: $600m CSIRO site to protect endangered wildlife Hawthorn double Premiership player Brent Guerra looks to kick house goal in Highett “House-sized” townhomes hit the market in luxe new Bayside community where it is in the street is like being in the country,” Ms Thomson says She says the owners have updated the house in keeping with its period character adding antique stained glass doors to the four bedrooms and a repurposed barn door elsewhere The circa-1950s original brick hearth in the kitchen along with a former railway sleeper which is now a light feature decorated their front yard with Christmas lights for many years An original brick hearth remains in the kitchen where a railway sleeper Other features include the living room’s open fireplace Victorian Ash timber floors and a spotted gum front deck the homeowners have decorated their front garden with a large yearly festive display and lights The open fireplace makes the living room cosy in winter is home to three resident tawny owls and popular with lorikeets Less than 200m to Sandringham Secondary College Sandringham Village’s shops and cafes and Highett Village The home will be auctioned at midday on Saturday A barn door has been installed in the home MORE: Mornington Peninsula: Dromana’s ‘Miramare’ poised to set new house price record A home that pays for itself? Melbourne investor hotspots with highest rental yields revealed Migrating Indian homebuyers bringing vastu shastra wellness architecture to Melbourne If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below) so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue Your browser is notsupported. Upgrade to a different browserto experience this site BACK Stay informed with the latest red meat and livestock industry news Events It’s been over 12 months since Mitch Highett received the prestigious Zanda McDonald award and in that year a lot has changed for Mitch and his farm management business the Zanda McDonald award recognises one young person who is passionate about making a difference in agriculture.  to be honest,” Mitch said.   Mitch won a personalised mentoring trip across Australia and New Zealand and up to $10,000 towards a professional development course to support his career path he also gained access to industry mentors and networking events.   When he wasn’t engaging with his award through international tours or mentoring events Mitch was tending to a rapidly expanding business.  “The exposure my business has gained through winning is unbelievable and with that comes new people to work alongside to strengthen it even more,” Mitch said.   the MLA sponsored award for those aged between 21 to 35 aims to further people’s opportunities in the agricultural industry.  a big learning opportunity was through the mentor trip seeing how successful businesses got to where they are and being able to take some lessons out of that to apply to my business.”  Mitch had already established Bullseye Ag when he won the award in 2023 and capitalized on the opportunity to gain expert advice on how to grow and strengthen his business from learning potential debt structures to how to build a solid team.   While there’s been big changes for his business things look a little different for Mitch too.   “I’ve got a lot more consideration about how to support younger people coming into the industry and how to support them reaching their goals.”  “We’re a fair way past the old mentality that we’re ‘lucky’ to have a job and a culture more supportive and development-based for the people within it?”  With the Zanda McDonald award being in its tenth year – with the 2024 Australian award recently going to Tessa Chartres – Mitch has first-hand insight into its contribution to the industry Being able to have mentors and see some of these businesses and how they’re operating gives young people like me encouragement to go out and take some of those risks,” Mitch said.   Josh WhelanE: jwhelan@mla.com.au    LOG IN TO myMLA NOW 02 9463 9333|1800 023 100 info@mla.com.au © 2025 Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364 Have a question or concern about something other than the website {{Name}} {{Weight}}{{Value}} {{{Change.Symbol}}} {{{Change.Amount}}} initial-scale=1\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"title\",\"2\",{\"children\":\"Sunkin Breaks Ground on $500m Highett Masterplan | The Urban Developer\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"3\",{\"name\":\"description\",\"content\":\"Melbourne-based Sunkin Property Group has broken ground on a $500-million-plus mixed-use project at the former-CSIRO site in Highett one of Melbourne’s largest and most flexible infill development sites.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing the nod of approval in March from the Bayside City Council Sunkin has appointed Delta Group in a multi-million-dollar contract that will see the civil contractor commence a one-year program now under way.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore than $10 million will be invested in infrastructure for the large-scale project including new roads replacement of the Melbourne drain and the upgrading of local services.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDelta Group managing director Con Petropoulo said the group would set the groundwork road and services infrastructure for the sprawling community development.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe project known as Park Village is one of the most significant urban renewal projects in the Bayside area and will comprise 14 residential buildings ranging from two to seven storeys and offering 1048 homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlmost half of the site will be reimagined as new parkland which will be kept and made publicly accessible.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Clarke Hopkins Clarke-designed development includes a range of home typologies aimed at improving housing diversity in the area.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA new public library is also proposed on site as well as a maternal and child health centre and integrated wellness and fitness facilities including residents’ gym the site was sold with vacant possession and clear of all building improvements Image: Sunkin Property Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eSunkin Property Group’s ambitious development application was \u003ca data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/urban-renewal-project-feeds-future-demand\" href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/urban-renewal-project-feeds-future-demand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eapproved\u003c/a\u003e in November 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStage one of the project includes two apartment buildings and a collection of townhouses all located next to the proposed public park.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe project will have a commitment to a low-carbon economy with Sunkin targeting net zero capable outcomes through environmentally sustainable design practices.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSunkin Property Group general manager of property Lloyd Collins said commencing civil works was a significant milestone for the project after the site having laying dormant for more than a decade.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe former research site has undergone a $30-million clean-up prior to its sale after investigative works identified a significant level of asbestos in soil across the northern portion of the site.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing completion of the remediation works earlier this year CSIRO relinquished 3ha of the site to the community for conservation and an additional hectare to the Bayside City Council for public open space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This development will be of significant community benefit due to improved infrastructure and additional amenities Park Village will be close to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula Image: Clarke Hopkins Clarke\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollins said its proximity to public transport and Monash University’s Caulfield campus had also offered the developer the opportunity to integrate build-to-rent student accommodation and retirement living.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 9.6ha rectangular site at 37 Graham Road in the south-eastern bayside suburb was picked up for \u003ca data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/csiro-sells-highett-site-melbourne\" href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/csiro-sells-highett-site-melbourne\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e$90 million in July 2020\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe site between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip Bay is south of the recently completed Woolworths Shopping Centre as well as the Highett Train Station and Highett Road retail strip.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSunkin Property Group is currently completing a $50-million high-end residential project comprising 17 apartments and three penthouses at nearby Brighton.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe developer owns a range of office one of Melbourne’s largest and most flexible infill development sites Following the nod of approval in March from the Bayside City Council Sunkin has appointed Delta Group in a multi-million-dollar contract that will see the civil contractor commence a one-year program now under way More than $10 million will be invested in infrastructure for the large-scale project including new roads replacement of the Melbourne drain and the upgrading of local services Delta Group managing director Con Petropoulo said the group would set the groundwork road and services infrastructure for the sprawling community development The project known as Park Village is one of the most significant urban renewal projects in the Bayside area and will comprise 14 residential buildings ranging from two to seven storeys and offering 1048 homes Almost half of the site will be reimagined as new parkland which will be kept and made publicly accessible The Clarke Hopkins Clarke-designed development includes a range of home typologies aimed at improving housing diversity in the area A new public library is also proposed on site as well as a maternal and child health centre and integrated wellness and fitness facilities including residents’ gym Sunkin Property Group’s ambitious development application was approved in November Stage one of the project includes two apartment buildings and a collection of townhouses all located next to the proposed public park The project will have a commitment to a low-carbon economy with Sunkin targeting net zero capable outcomes through environmentally sustainable design practices Sunkin Property Group general manager of property Lloyd Collins said commencing civil works was a significant milestone for the project after the site having laying dormant for more than a decade The former research site has undergone a $30-million clean-up prior to its sale after investigative works identified a significant level of asbestos in soil across the northern portion of the site Following completion of the remediation works earlier this year CSIRO relinquished 3ha of the site to the community for conservation and an additional hectare to the Bayside City Council for public open space “This development will be of significant community benefit due to improved infrastructure and additional amenities including the new park and conservation area for the public to enjoy,” Collins said “It will also provide greater housing diversity while catering to the forecast population growth within Melbourne and the Bayside area more specifically.” Collins said its proximity to public transport and Monash University’s Caulfield campus had also offered the developer the opportunity to integrate build-to-rent student accommodation and retirement living The 9.6ha rectangular site at 37 Graham Road in the south-eastern bayside suburb was picked up for $90 million in July, 2020. The site, between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip Bay, is south of the recently completed Woolworths Shopping Centre, as well as the Highett Train Station and Highett Road retail strip. Sunkin Property Group is currently completing a $50-million high-end residential project comprising 17 apartments and three penthouses at nearby Brighton. The developer owns a range of office, retail, leisure and residential development assets including a commercial building at 509 St Kilda Road as well as the 200-room Novotel Melbourne hotel and the adjoining Century City Walk entertainment centre in Glen Waverley. located at 37 Graham Road in the south-eastern bayside suburb of Highett was sold with the scope for a future large-scale town house and apartment development.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe site positioned between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip Bay is located immediately south of the recently completed Woolworths Shopping Centre Highett Train Station and Highett Road retail strip.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHome to former CSIRO laboratories the site has been sold with vacant possession and clear of all building improvements \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing plans to close the site in 2011 CSIRO subsequently undertook a $30 million cleanup the site had been listed since mid-2019 with local and offshore developers actively voicing their interest in sprawling site.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"row ci\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"cell cs12 cx12\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ci cl\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing completion of the remediation works earlier this year CSIRO relinquished 3 hectares of the site to the community for conservation and an additional 1 hectare to the Bayside City Council for public open space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe combined 4 hectares have since been earmarked for a new public park under an agreement with the local council.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColliers International’s Trent Hobart Hamish Burgess marketed and sold the property on behalf of global science agency CSIRO along with Urbis transaction manager Matthew Cleary.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“These infill opportunities are increasingly rare,” Hobart said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“History has proven that fortune favours those developers who invest in significant scale middle ring land acquisitions such as Mirvac in Doncaster and Frasers in Burwood.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We expect this acquisition to be similarly successful in this up and coming residential precinct.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe site will now be re-zoned to Residential Growth Zone and Development Plan Overlay—Schedule 2.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEarlier this month CSIRO outlined \u003ca href=\"https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/western-sydney-nabs-csiro-hq\"\u003eplans\u003c/a\u003e to build a state-of-the-art facility at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe proposed facility will house up to 450 employees across 18,000 square metres and will feature collaborative workshops and modern was sold with the scope for a future large-scale town house and apartment development Highett Train Station and Highett Road retail strip demolishing all buildings and remediating the land to remove asbestos contaminated soil CSIRO relinquished 3 hectares of the site to the community for conservation and an additional 1 hectare to the Bayside City Council for public open space The combined 4 hectares have since been earmarked for a new public park under an agreement with the local council Hamish Burgess marketed and sold the property on behalf of global science agency CSIRO along with Urbis transaction manager Matthew Cleary “These infill opportunities are increasingly rare,” Hobart said “History has proven that fortune favours those developers who invest in significant scale middle ring land acquisitions such as Mirvac in Doncaster and Frasers in Burwood “We expect this acquisition to be similarly successful in this up and coming residential precinct.” The site will now be re-zoned to Residential Growth Zone and Development Plan Overlay—Schedule 2 Earlier this month, CSIRO outlined plans to build a state-of-the-art facility at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis The proposed facility will house up to 450 employees across 18,000 square metres and will feature collaborative workshops and modern flexible laboratories to support the delivery of cutting-edge science and technology Render of the new Highett Common development A $600m sustainable development project in Melbourne’s bayside officially launched its sales campaign over the weekend at the former CSIRO site But there’s still one key step developer Sunkin Property Group is taking before building at the 10ha property can commence The Melbourne-based developer has teamed up with Tract Landscaping to conserve more than 4ha of land at the site which will be sectioned off from the rest of the development prior to construction RELATED: Bid to create new village on old CSIRO land at Highett The conservation plan aims to protect the many endangered local species living at the 37 Graham Rd property including 300-year-old gum trees and 25 vertebrate species It will also provide new parklands created from indigenous plantings to attract local wildlife and native birds to the area Once conservation is complete, the first stage of the Highett Common project will kick off in the second half of 2023 What the ClareHopkinsClarke architect-designed homes will look like when finished The huge former CSIRO site is being transformed including conserving more than 4ha of land where endangered species live Townhouses will also be introduced at a later stage as part of Sunkin’s long-term plans for a 1000-home precinct in an effort to provide much-needed housing and address the severe undersupply of new homes in the inner-city The first stage is slated to be complete by mid-2025 but buyers can now snag an apartment off-the-plan for as little as $415,000 for a one-bedroom Sunkin Property Group were inundated with inquiries from local bayside families and downsizers before the sales campaign launched Sunkin’s head of sales and marketing Scott Jessop said even prior to the official sales launch on the weekend the project had received more than 300 inquiries from local bayside families and downsizers who recognised the rarity of new developments in the area “Prospective purchasers have recognised how unique the project’s commitment is to green space sustainability and premium design,” Mr Jessop said 10ha parkland adjacent to Highett’s vibrant retail strip with its train station connecting residents to the CBD in minutes The newly-released apartments are designed by ClareHopkinsClarke architects and come with a range of eco-friendly and sustainable appointments the entire development boasts net zero carbon emissions and will remove all gas from the site as well as introducing solar panels and electric vehicle charging throughout the precinct 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: Melbourne’s severely undersupplied housing markets revealed Places always have a story of identity waiting to be told. It could be the tiny architectural details in a decrepit old building, the smell of the salty sea air or the sounds of the local birdlife. One of Melbourne’s largest infill sites is having the chance to tell its tale as part of a massive transformation. The 9.3-hectare former CSIRO site in Highett will soon become home to more than 1000 residents. However, Highett Common will be more than just a residential precinct. The project will see 4 hectares of land reserved for greenery; three hectares will be used as a conservation area and one hectare for public parkland. The design of the open spaces has been inspired by the nature already on the site, says Tract senior principal landscape architect Mariano Lopez. “The conservation area, as well as the bayside coastal feel, inspired a cooling and calm landscape character that includes natural materials and soft colour tones and textures,” he says. “The landscape response and materials palette also reflect the organic nature of the existing conservation area vegetation as well as the essence of relaxed bayside living. Camberwell: The late Barry Humphries’ favourite suburb may surprise you The best homes for sale in Victoria right now Shoreham: Life’s a beach at this tiny peninsula town “Our design approach is to ensure that the landscape architectural treatment responds to the site conditions and context, that is respectful of place and provides a meaningful site response.” Almost 30 large trees, including river red gum and yellow box trees, exist on the Graham Road land. These are mainly found at the southern end of the site where the conservation area will be established, creating improved biodiversity conditions and reducing temperatures in the vicinity. Public landscaped areas will sit at the northern end of the site, and the design of these areas has largely been influenced by the natural landscape, Lopez says. “The landscape design response explores the extension of the conservation reserve, as open space and green connections meandering through the buildings and connecting to the surrounding residential streets,” he says. This deliberate prioritising of nature was a unique opportunity for developer Sunkin Property Group to position Highett Common as a place of sanctuary, and also sustainability. The site has a net-zero target with energy-efficient fixtures, fittings and appliances built into the residences to lower the site’s overall carbon footprint. EV charging spots will also be on hand for residents with electric cars. Such was the importance of the nature-first approach, architects at ClarkeHopkinsClarke (CHC) worked closely with landscape architects at Tract on the design of the masterplan, right through to the apartment interiors. The result will be an address that seamlessly blends natural and urban spaces, says CHC urban design and mixed-use partner Dean Landy. “One of the big opportunities on this site, of course, was around the idea of connection to a range of parks, green spines and nature reserves,” he says. “And even though it is a large, higher-density development, we think a really successful outcome of this masterplan is that it’s integrated into and around really generous open space.” The architecture of the apartments and townhomes throughout Highett Common has referenced the landscape. This can be seen in the two-storey lofts where large terraces at ground level open up to the park, and in the ground-floor apartments along the central mews, which feature raised balconies and landscaped terraces. The colour palette was inspired by the conservation zone’s grassy woodlands as well as the site’s history as a place of research. Toby Lauchlan, the ClarkeHopkinsClarke partner leading the multi-residential team, says warm, earthy, tactile and robust materials have been chosen to reflect innovation and sustainability. “We’ve really established an ongoing dialogue between landscape and built form that complement one another,” he says. The construction of a new library and community centre will complement the publicly accessible parkland at Highett Common. Both facilities will be located within a building in the north-eastern area of the site to make them accessible from the shops and cafes on Highett Road. The library will be found on the ground and mezzanine floors of the building. The construction of Highett Common will add to the regeneration already taking place in Highett. New shops and eateries, including a two-storey Greek restaurant by George Calombaris, have recently opened in the south-eastern locale, giving it a new sense of vibrancy. Situated near the trophy suburbs of Hampton and Brighton, Highett is well-positioned to make the most of its bayside location. For those who take up residency at Highett Common, there’s a full-line Woolworths supermarket on Highett Road, which is just 60 metres away. Highett train station is walkable, being just 100 minutes from the site, and bus stops can be found on Highett, Graham and Bay roads. Southland shopping centre is 800 metres south-east of the site and Sandringham beach is just four kilometres away. Lowering carbon emissions is now a front-and-centre priority for developers and, importantly, buyers. They want to have a new home that will move into the future with them. Warm, earthy colours of brown and green can subtly bring the outdoors indoors, as can cool, calm whites, blues and greys. Whether it’s a coastal or bushy landscape, colour palettes need to be informed by the immediate surroundings. Natural materials such as stone and timber can be worked into the interiors or exteriors of buildings to give them a natural look and feel. Designers also turn to bronze, marble and natural fibres such as wool to connect to the environment. Significant trees, plants and wildlife must be protected in the development of new homes. Under the UN Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, more countries are becoming aware of the essential role which biodiversity and ecosystem services play in human wellbeing. Having open spaces for residents to enjoy is a bonus. Having it open to the public is an absolute win. Melbourne’s councils are increasingly requiring developers to include greenery that’s accessible not only by future residents but also by the greater community. 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 Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime ShareThis venue appears in Melbourne’s 10 most recently hatted restaurants: the full reviews. See all stories.1 / 7The Good Room upstairs at Hellenic House Project in Highett Eddie Jim2 / 7Go-to dish: Drunken prawns with ouzo taramasalata butter and green tomatoes.Eddie Jim3 / 7Saganaki cheese sits atop black garlic and fig paste.Eddie Jim4 / 7Spanakopita take the form of three half-moon pastries.Eddie Jim5 / 7Chips live up to their full potential with the addition of feta garlic oil and oregano.Paul Jeffers6 / 7Lamb shoulder with a peppered prune glaze.Paul Jeffers7 / 7Dolmades made with shiso-wrapped kingfish.Paul JeffersPrevious SlideNext SlideGood Food hat15/20How we score Most readers, I suspect, fall into neither category, and simply want to know whether a new restaurant is good enough to visit, worth the money, and all the other things a restaurant review generally covers. (These readers tend to be far less vocal in their opinions than the fans, and especially less so than the George-haters.) Should someone’s past mistakes preclude them from any kind of successful present? That’s not for me to say. And, frankly, it’s slightly irrelevant, because whether you like it or not, Calombaris does have a new restaurant and people are going there in droves. If you take Calombaris at his word, Hellenic House Project in Highett is an attempt to get back to his roots, to create a small-scale place that feels like a home, where he can care for his team and his guests in a far more personal manner than he was able to when he was the face of multiple venues that employed hundreds of workers. Even so, you shouldn’t expect the kind of formality you might have seen at his hatted (and now defunct) Press Club. Hellenic House Project is focused on street food downstairs and home-style cooking upstairs, all imbued with clever cheffy twists that keep you from saying “I could do this at home”. For the most part, you probably couldn’t do this at home. Because love him or hate him, Calombaris is an excellent cook. He’s helped in this endeavour by head chef Anthony Thalassinos. In The Kitchen, they’re serving dips, souvlakis, salads and chips. The chips ($9.50) are perfectly hot and crisp, but only live up to their full potential if you add feta, garlic oil and oregano (a $3.50 addition), at which point they become a snacking masterpiece. Chips with feta, garlic oil and oregano.Paul JeffersSouvlaki range from traditional slow-roasted lamb ($16.90) and prawn kataifi ($17.90) to a daily special ($21.90) that was tender pork the day I visited, wrapped in so much pickled cabbage and onion it was downright puckery. Upstairs, The Good Room is painted a deep shade of blue, with a large glassed-in wine wall and an intimate feel (only 44 seats). Calombaris and Thalassinos excel at taking utterly traditional dishes and adding just the right amount of zhuzh to make them thrilling. The eggplant dip ($14.50) is adorned with sweet fat mussels, and the dolmade ($16.50) are made with shiso and draped with raw kingfish. The giant prawns you’d expect to see at any decent Greek restaurant are here drowned in ouzo, cooked, slathered in butter imbued with taramasalata, and served over sliced green tomato ($32). The effect is resplendent, an overload of seafood flavour pierced by the subtle anise of the ouzo and the tartness of the tomato. Saganaki cheese sits atop black garlic and fig paste.Eddie JimSaganaki ($22) comes in a sizzling cast-iron pan with individual wells for the rounds of cheese, which each have a scoop of black garlic and fig paste at the bottom. Tuna kibbeh ($17.50) is like a racy tartare piled atop a crisp made with a cheesy Vegemite scroll. (Yes, it really has Vegemite; yes, it works beautifully in this context.) Mains tend to be slightly more traditional. There’s a lemony barbecued chicken ($32), grilled fish that changes weekly, and the requisite hunk of lamb shoulder ($55, feeds two). But what a glorious falling-apart hunk it is, with a glaze made from peppered prune, and a tzatziki made umami-rich thanks to the addition of dashi. It’s worth noting that the staff here are extremely welcoming and seem genuinely excited to be representing this chef and this food. If the goal is to achieve an atmosphere akin to welcoming someone into a home, they’ve absolutely done that. Does all of this – the quality, the welcome, the warmth – absolve Calombaris of his former sins? Again, that’s not for me to say. And again, your own feelings about it are probably valid and likely irrelevant: The Good Room is booked well into the latter part of this year. George is going to be fine. Vibe: Intimate and classy but homey upstairs; souva shop with style downstairs. Drinks: Clever cocktails made with Greek spirits and liqueurs, good range of Greek and Australian wines, plus a reserve list with some spectacular finds if you have the bucks.   Cost: The Kitchen, about $50 for two, plus drinks. The Good Room, about $150 for two, plus drinks.  Ritz-Carlton’s sky-high Atria restaurant has the hype, glitz and views, but how’s the food?This hotel restaurant is posh but modern, and dramatic in all the right ways (plus you can order steak and salad if that’s what you fancy). How humble bowlo restaurant Little Picket bowled our critic over (and gained a hat)The pretension is low but the quality is high at Jo Barrett’s charming restaurant that embraces homely bowlo awesomeness. Why this jailhouse rocks: North & Common brings mod-Oz cooking to a former prison canteenCan a historic prison, like an inmate, be rehabilitated? This new Coburg restaurant is a strong argument in favour of the idea. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox cheerful and colourful: Braised meats steal the show at Highett’s new Mexican street food spot ChilpaChilpa brings the deep toasty sunshine flavour of corn and classic Mexican dishes – quesadilla and birria tacos with a side of rich beef consomme – to the bayside suburbs ShareAs featured in the Melbourne hit list August 2023 See all stories.1 / 6Inside La Tortilleria’s Highett spin-off Chilpa.Joe Armao2 / 6Birria tacos with slow-cooked beef.Joe Armao3 / 6Prawn aguachile.Joe Armao4 / 6Borrego (slow-cooked lamb) quesadillas.Joe Armao5 / 6Chilaquiles.Joe Armao6 / 6An open kitchen and bar dominate much of the space.Joe ArmaoPrevious SlideNext Slide13.5/20How we score And it’s the place where much-loved tortilla company and burgeoning hospitality group La Tortilleria has chosen to open its latest operation who is originally from the Jalisco region of Mexico the project was to make tortillas in the manner they’re traditionally made in Mexico – that is significantly upping the quality of the tortillas available in Victoria Lopez was also working with Australian corn rather than imported masa (cornmeal) the demand for the product outgrew the original space and Lopez moved the tortilla factory to Derrimut The Mexican chef teaching taco skills to help to fight lonelinessChilpa, which opened in March is the next chapter in Lopez’s success story Located in a corner storefront across from the rail crossing cheerful feel is inviting without devolving into the reductive sombreros-and-mariachi pantomime of many Mexican restaurants in Australia An open kitchen and bar dominate much of the space with seating for groups on banquettes along the back wall and smaller tables up front I can imagine the footpath seating outside to be a lovely place to sip one of the well-made margaritas ($20-$21) or a tangy and spicy Michelada (think a Mexican Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka; a $4.50 addition to the beer of your choice) here chilaquiles are like saucy nachos.Joe ArmaoThe menu is lifted almost exactly from the Kensington location This means you’re likely going to want to start with an order of chilaquiles ($11) a dish that’s most often served for breakfast in Mexico but here are a kind of warm and saucy nachos Doing so turns the dish from a snack into a meal is a shareable prawn aguachile ($29) – like a cross between ceviche and shrimp cocktail – that is bright with cucumber and red onion Prawn aguachile is like a cross between ceviche and shrimp cocktail.Joe ArmaoThere’s also a cauliflower version ($19) that’s only the beginning of the kitchen’s dedication to serving its vegetarian and vegan customers – vegetables and Fable the dishes that steal the show here are the braised meats the birria (braised and shredded beef) and the borrego (slow-cooked lamb) are fantastic in whatever dish you decide to order The birria tacos ($15) come two to a set, with a side of bracing and rich beef consomme that is meant for dipping, but that I just straight up slurped and considered asking for an extra serving. I wasn’t disappointed with any of the tacos here: the chicken ($7) smoky with tomato chipotle, the fish ($7.50) with crunchy coleslaw and creamy jalapeno mayo. Most importantly, every taco is made with a double layer of those beautiful tortillas, imbuing every bite with the deep toasty sunshine flavour of corn. Is this the beginning of an empire? Could we see an expansion of Lopez’s brand that makes quality Mexican food ubiquitous in Melbourne, or Victoria, or even Australia? It will likely depend on the popularity of Chilpa, and whether the bayside suburbs react with as much enthusiasm as Kensington did a decade ago. Personally, I’d be thrilled if these tacos were available widely. Highett is lucky to get the goods. Drinks: Mexican cocktails, nice selection of mezcals, short wine list, good horchata Icon review: If you’re a lover of seafood and wine, Bacash is the place for youPeople who come to this 23-year-old South Yarra stalwart know exactly what they’re getting: fish cooked incredibly well. Climb the stairway to Italian snacking heaven at Balwyn’s Enoteca BoccaccioIt may be new, but this Balwyn wine bar packs 60 years of food and wine knowledge into a squeezy upstairs space. The Victorian Government is removing 27 dangerous level crossings and building 17 new stations making the Frankston Line level crossing free This is part of a commitment to remove 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030 reducing congestion and allowing more trains to run more often we are carrying out site investigations for the following level crossing removal projects: We’re doing these works over the coming months to help us understand more about the local area and to support design development and early works preparation Residents and locals can expect to see workers in the area surveying the area near and around the level crossings involving crews monitoring and observing the sites We’re still in the early stages of planning and will update the community when we have more information Stay up to date with the latest project information by subscribing to our email updates. Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus This 60-seat venue – previously an aquarium shop – features a mix of dark timber tables and chairs a feature wall with white cladding and an indoor fireplace to dial up the cosy atmosphere Guests can also relax at tables on the footpath or in the 20-seat courtyard The wine list showcases minimal-intervention styles from Australian vineyards and around 60 whites and reds each by the bottle Four beer taps pour the likes of Cheltenham brewery Bad Shepherd and 3 Ravens in Thornbury Classic cocktails inlcude Espresso Martinis For those wanting a good time sans alcohol there are botanical spritzes and a zero-alc chilled red graze on a cheese board served with quinces oven-baked gnocchi or woodfired pizza like the Matteo’s Special – topped with stracciatella Website: railwaywine.com.au We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet Bakeries and Restaurants That Opened or Closed in April 32 of the Hottest Dishes and Drinks in Melbourne Right Now Menu Reveal: Five Things To Order at Junda Khoo’s Ho Liao First Look: Filipino Pop-Up Palay Moves to Fitzroy for Good The red meat industry recognised a young NSW innovator as this year’s Australian winner of the dual Zanda McDonald Award founder of agricultural advisory start-up Bullseye Ag along with New Zealander Harriet Bremner – a sheep and beef producer farm health and safety advocate and children’s book author Mitch said a highlight of the award was the opportunity to learn from other nominees and connect with industry leaders “I’ve talked with the best in the business about how they got to where they are personally and in their careers,” Mitch said Mitch’s interest in farming was sparked by hearing his grandfather reminisce about working on farms in NSW and Queensland His future in agriculture – further fuelled by weekends spent at his family’s hobby farm in central west NSW – was sealed by the time he finished school and spent his gap year on a cotton and peanut ranch – an experience which further cemented his desire to forge a career in the agricultural industry Mitch went on to study agricultural business management and notched up industry experience in Canada New Zealand and Sydney in agricultural advisory work He recognised an opportunity in the market for advisory and management services for the ‘smaller end of town’ and in 2016 launched his own solution: Bullseye Ag Mitch and his team now manage an impressive suite of properties beyond the initial target of family-based investors – with government and corporate clients now on the books He recognises the value of soft skills he’s learnt along the way.  “I’ve certainly learned the importance of being kind People think you have to be hard-nosed and abrupt in operating and running a business but I’ve got a lot more out of being kind and empathetic from a client and employee perspective,” Mitch said build the capability of the red meat industry Mitch’s initiative and willingness to back himself made him a prime contender for the Zanda McDonald award and will ensure he makes the most of its financial backing and access to a Rolodex of influential industry contacts Mitch looks forward to learning from other key players in the ag industry during the mentoring component of his prize which includes $10,000 towards education or training It’s already given him the opportunity to see how other businesses pitch their services to clients and see how this could be built into his own business “The nominees received PR and media training at the award’s inaugural Impact Summit We learned the importance of speaking clearly and succinctly and knowing our topic area,” Mitch said “It’s also really important to just be yourself – if you try to mimic and be someone you’re not it will come across as untrustworthy and false.” For those without a background in agriculture who want to carve out a career in the industry Mitch recommended connecting with people who are in the position to help “Don’t be afraid to say you’re from a non-traditional farming background – be willing to chew the dust a bit before you make it You’ve got to get out there and do the hard work and even work for nothing to get some experience behind you,” Mitch said he hopes to broaden Bullseye Ag’s reach within Australia and possibly New Zealand and one day own his own patch of Australia – with a cattle enterprise at the top of his bucket list Sunkin Property Group is bringing one of the most facility-laden developments Bayside has ever seen at Highett Common, its recently launched masterplanned development in the heart of Highett Sprawling across a 9.3-hectare block, Highett Common will feature diverse architecturally designed apartments and townhomes that will soon be home to more than 1000 residents—overlooking views across a new conservation reserve and parkland So far just Park House, the first apartment building in the masterplan two and three-bedroom apartments in Park House have been snapped up Making sure residents have significant amenity when they move into Park House in mid to late 2025 part of the first stage will incorporate numerous health and wellbeing facilties Carefully curated resident amenities offer a daily resort living experience on the southern end and well-being spaces seamlessly blend in with the landscaped outdoors Wide glass doors open to sun-drenched decks around an outdoor pool residents can clear their minds on the treadmill while enjoying green views or find their zen with a yoga session These amenities are located near the Southern Common's conservation park and trails residents can host celebrations with family and friends in a private dining room and expansive indoor and outdoor lounge areas Residents can dip in the indoor lap pool or exercise the body and the mind in the fully-equipped gym and wellness area for meditation These amenities are across the Northern Common's park The development also incorporates dedicated spaces for work and study, workshops, and community meetings at the new public Highett Library Homeowners will have access to a platform enabling them to connect with neighbours via an innovative community app This app allows residents to book amenities sign up for fitness and wellness activities Designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke, the Highett Common precinct aims to become Victoria's first medium-density, Net Zero Carbon community and the most significant development outside Melbourne’s CBD to shift to all-electric The precinct will feature biophilic-designed homes targeting high NatHERS ratings through various environmentally conscious initiatives including solar panels for energy generation The precinct also sets a precedent for being a walkable community to reduce emissions Highett Common has been carefully planned with connectivity at its core with numerous destinations accessible by a stroll or ultra-convenient access to public transport The project will reserve four hectares of land for greenery with three hectares for a conservation area and one hectare for public parkland The design of the open spaces has been inspired by the nature already on the site says Tract senior principal landscape architect Mariano Lopez “Our design approach is to ensure that the landscape architectural treatment responds to the site conditions and context that is respectful of the place and provides a meaningful site response.” Highett Common is situated 20 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. It is just a two-minute walk from Highett station, while the Highett Shopping Centre with a Woolworths supermarket and specialty shops Young Group ‘s Custom Highett project – comprising 38 apartments in a prime suburban location in Melbourne’s south-east – has been completed which has secured an average 7.8-star natHERS energy rating The Custom Highett apartments focus on indoor and outdoor living with wraparound outdoor spaces – which can be accessed from both the open-plan living area and the bedrooms maximising the amount of natural light each apartment captures made it the perfect candidate for a lifestyle-focused project “Custom Highett feels like it’s tucked away on a quiet and peaceful residential street and you’re still located just 200 metres from the best shopping strip in the area,” Spring said Young Group’s latest project – Tomorrow – is located in Northcote and is another example where location was the primary focus something that Spring says is the deciding factor in any new development the Young Group tackle “Tomorrow is another project where we’ve started with a location then sought to deliver residences that will benefit from amenity it’s ideally placed to enjoy the very best of Northcote Tomorrow has been designed to connect residents to all that Northcote has to offer Young Group is going through the planning and approval process for its next three projects and Rose Essendon – the latter two apartment developments are expected to go to market mid to late 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 You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Press PLAY below to listen to Jacqui’s review in full Highett is a long way from Lake Como… but they do have one thing in common One thing I loved about Italy is every train station has a bar or little restaurant attached to it… and so does Highett Highett Road is a pumping little shopping strip filled with cool It’s kind of like the Fitzroy of the south Abbiocco means “the content drowsiness you feel after a delicious meal” and after our dinner here I certainly felt content We dined on a warm night in the little outside courtyard and the trains pull in just on the other side of the platform and it’s very cool We started with scallop crudo with nduja and river mint Both were around $20 and great value for money but it’s homely and tasty at the same time the main restaurant and a cool front bar where you can watch the world go by Of course pastas here are the hero – there are six to choose from and we enjoyed the Mafaldine with spanner crab tomato and basil and Candele with pork “alla Genovese” pecorino and sea celery ($34) We shared both and I’m so glad because you couldn’t split the two dishes We also had a side of charred cos (where have you been all my life) with buttermilk All translations for the pasta and menu items are on the other side of the menu and I loved that (you don’t have to feel silly constantly asking what certain dishes actually consist of!) Dessert was a peach crostata and Lemon Myrtle semifreddo with honey and macadamia This was basically like a really fancy golden gaytime and Abbiocco should sell them to weary passengers as they get off the train – it’s the perfect post transit snack Abbiocco is worth hitting the rails and heading to Highett for See Jacqui’s past reviews HERE. ShareGeorge Calombaris will soon be back in the restaurant game opening a two-storey Greek restaurant in Highett next month serving everything from takeaway to rustic home cooking The Hellenic House Project in Melbourne’s south is split into four different spaces that play on the idea of the Greek home the most elevated offering of the 120-seat venue George Calombaris pictured at a Jimmy Grants store in Sydney.SuppliedThere head chef Anthony Thalassinos will be serving home-style (or “spitiko”) dishes with a twist such as tarama with salt and vinegar hash browns wild greens braised in lemon and olive oil salads and cans of beer for dine in or takeaway The fourth space is a balcony inspired by seaside bars of the Aegean serving snacks such as dolmathakia (stuffed vine leaves) Calombaris says he was drawn to Highett because of its community feeling with an “ever-growing food scene” that he likens to the Brunswick Street of Bayside. Chilpa by La Tortilleria opened in early March just a few doors away from his venture Thalassinos has experience at Grossi Florentino and St John in London with his most recent cooking gig at Hotel Sorrento a role he says he will continue for two days each week and for which Made Establishment was fined $200,000 Hellenic House Project occupies a former butcher shop linked to Phil Hatzikourtis and Ivo Baldari who has run several food businesses from the premises appears to be Calombaris’ business partner in the project Hellenic House Project will open on April 18 CORRECTION - An earlier version of this story said George Calombaris was fined $200,000 for underpaying staff Adam Treloar and Kim Ravaillion have bought in Highett New Western Bulldog Adam Treloar will have a lengthy commute to Whitten Oval after buying a property in Highett The former Pie and his partner, netballer Kim Ravaillion, shared a photo on Instagram celebrating the purchase of a four-bedroom family home in a street off Bay Road in the southeastern ‘burb The transaction occurred just days before Treloar’s tumultuous exit from the Magpies after being traded to the Dogs RELATED: Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley responds to criticism over Adam Treloar, Jaidyn Stephenson and Tom Phillips exits Collingwood fans revolt as fallout grows over club’s behaviour during AFL trade period Ben Holland: Former Tiger and Demon looking for Prahran tenant A large-open plan living area is the sophisticated hub of the home Buxton Sandringham agent Sam Harrison said the sporting couple made an offer above the $1.95-$2.05m price guide to seal a deal ahead of a public auction She said Treloar and Ravaillion were a “beautiful and humble couple” during the sales process “It was difficult to see everything playing out in the news while knowing they had been showing interest in this home a long time ago,” Ms Harrison said “They must have been under a lot of stress in their lives but at the end of the day they’re a beautiful young family and the same as any other buyer.” Luxe finishes and verdant outlooks in the kitchen wife Kim Ravallion and daughter Georgie all smiles at Whitten Oval Ravaillion said it had been a “huge month” in her Instagram post about their property purchase It’s understood Treloar will live at the property while Ravaillion moves interstate with their young daughter Georgie to play for the Queensland Firebirds The couple have been living in nearby Cheltenham Their new home features an impressive pool in the backyard a huge modern kitchen with a marble island benchtop and multiple living areas Collingwood members David O’Toole and Kerstin Black upset with Adam Treloar’s axing from the club A window seat and plantation shutters on show in one of the four bedrooms “It’s just one of those houses that is literally perfect “Adam and Kim loved it because it wasn’t ostentatious at all.” MORE: Entire gold rush-style town with 40 buildings for sale in regional Victoria Warracknabeal junk-filled house a surprise hit with buyers Prominent architect Rob Mills selling his family’s luxe Lorne pad jayitri.smiles@news.com.au Melbourne's Bayside region is renowned for its idyllic lifestyle and coastal beauty and buyers have a rare opportunity with a collection of new residences coming to the area Highett Common offers the benefit of masterplanned living in an established location with a range of generously proportioned townhomes hitting the market The limited collection of townhomes at Highett Common offer luxe living in Melbourne's Bayside The community’s latest release comprises of a limited collection of four-bedroom residences which are highly liveable for modern families and residents seeking space and convenience The most “unique” factor of the Highett Common townhomes is being part a connected community with resort-style facilities head of sales and marketing at Sunkin Property Group "There's just so much in terms of resident amenity and it's rare to get that in a Bayside location with a townhouse type of product," he says multiple gyms and wellness areas plus it’s right next door to Woolworths and the Highett train station." This is all contained within over four hectares of beautiful native bushland and open grass to kick a ball or throw a frisbee The indoor pool is a lavish amenity for residents says Highett Common offers "the best of both worlds" if you're looking at a townhouse in a master-planned community in this kind of location usually it would be a more like an apartment with a basement garage," she says You drive off the street into your own garage These townhouses offer the same sense of privacy as a detached home Beautifully crafted by ClarkeHopkinsClarke architects the townhomes at Highett Common are set across two and three-storey floorplans featuring well-planned living areas that back onto a private courtyard There's large open-plan kitchens with an island bench and the bedrooms on upper levels offer luxurious spaces to retreat from the entertaining areas Every detail has been well considered down to the materials and fixtures Gallery (2 images)Choose from two sophisticated colour schemes polished stone benchtops and 900mm Smeg appliances including induction cooktops,” he says “The downstairs windows are floor-to-ceiling and it's an all-electric sustainable development as well The houses are also built for functionality with the option of a home office space Highett is less well known than its blue-chip neighbours of Brighton and Sandringham but it's got all the qualities buyers are looking for "Highett is one of those great suburbs that we call a bridesmaids suburb because it's close to the beach but it's just that little more affordable," Flaherty says Looking at median house prices in Sandringham buyers would need between $1.9 million and $2.1 million for a four-bedroom home Residents can drive into the city quickly on the Nepean Highway or catch a train and be in the CBD in under 25 minutes the largest tertiary facility in Australia It's also an area with scope for capital growth "What we've been seeing in Melbourne in the last few years is a lot of growth on the fringes populations are growing because people want to be near the water – but there's nowhere to expand property in that southeastern corridor will continue to hold its value," she says the fact that these townhomes have four bedrooms is pretty rare "We know the prospect of a stand-alone house is becoming harder and harder to achieve so a four-bedroom townhouse is quite exceptional." Palazzolo says the homes are already gathering plenty of attention and 75 per cent of apartments in the masterplan have already been snapped up with apartment residents able to move in by the end of 2025 To find out more about new Stage 2 townhomes release at Highett Common, visit highettcommon.com.au. Set among the leafy landscapes of Highett Common The Townhomes is a collection of premium 3 & 4-bedroom townhomes in Melbourne's desirable Bayside The architecturally designed residences enjoy resort-style amenities and 4 hectares of surrounding parkland This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Southpoint development by H1Land Group at 1233 Nepean Highway A Highett development with a curving design inspired by nearby Port Phillip Bay will be topped with a residents’ rooftop anchored by a lavish plunge pool With a rare-for-the-area 13-storey tower part of the complex, The Southpoint is also offering unrivalled views of the water A landscaped rooftop takes full advantage of the height with a circular plunge pool RELATED: Altum Highett development appeals with entry-level home prices Every Victorian suburb’s house and unit price gains: REIV medians Herald Sun Real Estate auction blog: What’s on as live auctions return The H1Land Group development will have 217-apartments across two buildings: a four-storey complex with 56 residences and the tower with 161 homes Castran Gilbert director Michael Lang said the impressive aspect spoke for itself at the tower on the Nepean Highway side of the complex A number of buyers had also sought the lower density and quiet street frontage of the smaller building that looks onto Mathieson St The curving facade will rise across the road from Westfield Southland Mr Lang said 10 of the apartments had been sold or reserved since it was launched three weeks ago with a mix of local downsizers and young professionals driving the deals While its height would give residents views not dissimilar to those in inner-city towers the modern design by Rothelowman was in keeping with the bayside lifestyle but in keeping with the theme of where it is,” he said and a wavy form linking to the nearby water And the level of finish inside is quite high.” The boundary between inside and out will blur thanks to full-height glazing and sliding doors Pale polished reconstituted stone benchtops join engineered timber flooring stainless steel appliances and full-height glazing to maintain the breezy bayside feel inside the homes Interior floorplans vary from about 50sq m for a one-bedroom apartment up to 157sq m in the largest three-bedroom home set between the Nepean Highway Service Rd and Matthieson St is on the doorstep of Westfield Southland and Southland train station while parks and the beach are a short trip away Kitchen designs will echo the building’s curvaceous facade Construction is expected to start in April and take about 18 months to complete One-bedroom apartments are priced from $420,000-$525,000 two-bedroom homes from $560,000-$820,000 and three-bedroom offerings from $920,000-$.1.68m MORE: Saint Moritz, St Kilda: Outrageous requests of ultra-rich buyers Luxury $7m penthouse has private balcony pool, views of Albert Park Lake Frankston house transformed by builder linked to The Block bringing its bold street food to Melbourne's south for the first time has been named after a word for young one in the Nahuatl language Chilpa is less colourful than the original restaurant and tortilla manufacturing facility in a Kensington back street It's also bigger – 75 seats mean more space for the big family groups co-founder Gerardo Lopez expects will be his biggest customers Chilpa by La Tortilleria has a more subdued colour palette than its Kensington parent.Michael PhamAdvertisementFor now the menu scans much the same as Kensington's: quesadillas tostadas and tacos filled with al pastor (marinated roasted pork),fish or Fable plant-based protein A charcoal grill is a way to add flavour that doesn't involve spice and there are whispers of a Taco Tuesday night and perhaps even breakfast A shop at the back of the restaurant sells the company's corn tortillas The drinks list offers a wide selection of mezcals and other agave spirits refreshing fruit-based agua fresca and Mexican beers that can be turned into michelada Tacos al pastor (marinated pork and pineapple) has made the move to Highett.Michael PhamOpen Wed-Thu 5pm-9pm 2 Railway Parade, Highett, 03 8358 0400, latortilleria.com.au/chilpa First look at Dolly, Le Meridien’s glam new dining act inside the former Palace TheatreAs you descend the grand staircase to Dolly restaurant, you'll also travel back to a grander era of drinking and dining. Beef rendang meets baked eggs at Dale La PauThe idea of somehow combining shakshuka and rendang was so alluring, even world-shaking, that Dani Valent had to get herself to Camberwell for a taste. Penny for Pound bakery (and its lockdown pies) return at new Richmond locationAfter the shock closure of its original home, the artisan baker reopens in the same suburb, to the relief of its regulars. It's every developer's goal to sell out its project before construction commencement It's something that can only be achieved through two complementing elements; a well-thought out design plan offering something different than what's available in an area and a reputable development team who are trusted to deliver what they set out to Melbourne developer Young Group recently achieved the feat, selling out their 38-apartment project Custom Highett before it began construction And now buyers have moved into the recently completed building which came with a six-year building guarantee The sales were dominated by owner-occupiers with the two-bedrooms predominantly snapped up by first home buyers and the three-bedrooms more sought-after by the downsizer and empty nester demographic Joshua Muyambo from MAP Architect said they designed diverse apartment types - multifunctional - with ample flexibility "We've gone with a neutral palette and warm timber accents," Joshua says The environmentally-friendly building secured an average 7.8-star natHERS energy rating with no combustible cladding used in the façade materials Purchasers at Custom said they were attracted to the layout of the apartments which have a real focus on indoor and outdoor living The courtyard apartments feature wraparound outdoor spaces which can be accessed from both the open plan living area and the bedrooms The overarching driver that every purchaser highlighted as the most attractive proposition of Custom was the location Resident and downsizer Steven Ryan said he and his wife had been looking for around eight months before they found Custom it really jumped out at us because of the location," Steven says "That's all we knew at the start "It was the first time we felt that we should get in contact with the agent Spring Yang, who heads up Young Group, said the location of the Station Street site made the team venture into Highett for the first time when they secured it in 2019 "Custom is tucked away on a quiet residential street, while also being just 200 metres from the best shopping retail strip in Highett," Spring said "The Highett Street retail strip has a number of shops and cafes, as well as strong public transport infrastructure which easily links residents at Custom to the rest of Melbourne." Young Group's latest project Tomorrow is another that's focused primarily on location "Tomorrow is ideally placed to enjoy the very best of Northcote - which was reported as Victoria's most liveable suburb in the recent 'Future Victoria' report by PwC," Spring says "Recognising that we are increasingly spending more time close to home, the local amenity and walkability of Northcote awarded it with ‘Top Live’ on the ‘Staying Local Score’ in the report "Tomorrow is located just a short stroll from the banks of Northcote’s Merri Creek – and has been designed to connect residents to all that Northcote has to offer both in terms of nature and retail," Spring notes Young Group are going through the planning and approval process for their next three projects, Young Oakleigh, Victoria Brunswick, and Rose Essendon the latter two apartment developments expected to go to market mid to late 2023 Highett Common by Sunkin Property Group is set to rise from one of the best spots in Bayside connected to both extensive public transport We recently visited the Highett Common display suite at 37 Graham Road to look at the project in more detail In a city like Melbourne, where public transport is so good, buying a home in an up-and-coming fringe suburb is always an astute choice. Highett is a prime example – you're close to the beach there's a thriving hub of bars and eateries and you can hop on the train and be in the city in under 40 minutes Whether you're after a one, two or three-bedroom apartment, Highett Common has a range of intuitive floorplans to choose from What I love is that all apartments have been thoughtfully oriented with floor-to-ceiling glazing to make the most of the parkland views – it's the kind of attention to detail that comes with great design The 9.3-hectare masterplan includes a Conservation Reserve a one-hectare public park and playground and a new community library – with walkways taking you through leafy over 40 per cent of the site is dedicated to green open space At Highett Common you'll also have access to multiple state-of-the-art gymnasiums with wellness areas and two luxurious swimming pools one outdoor and one indoor – as well as residents' dining room and lounge perfect for hosting gatherings with friends and family You'll also have access to a platform that enables you to connect with your neighbours via a smart community app sign up for fitness and wellness activities and access local business services the all-electric development boasts solar panels for energy generation into the development sustainably sourced timber and steel and many more energy efficiency features Located at 37 Graham Road, Highett Station is literally a two-minute walk away; Highett Shopping Centre with a Woolworths supermarket and specialty shops right next door You can cycle to the beach and bay trail, and you're spoilt for choice when it comes to dining and bar options along Highett Road. Civil works across the whole masterplan are currently well underway, with completion of the first stage of Highett Common slated for mid-2025 17 Nicol St, Highett, is a “basic” house is currently Highett’s top residential sale Highett has given Melbourne’s blue-chip suburbs a run for their money when it comes to property market performance The hotspot was the only Bayside suburb to make an appearance in CoreLogic’s Top Performing Suburbs Report Highett’s 35.3 per cent growth in median house value caused it to rise among the top performers The median figure grew to $1,326,542 across the 12 months to July The data takes into account all houses in a suburb and is considered a more accurate indicator of the market than median sale prices which only take into account sales within a certain period Battler suburbs our top performers for annual median value growth Middle Park comes out on top for annual median value growth 52 Nicol St, Highett surged $185,000 beyond reserve at a July auction Branon Real Estate Hampton agent Cam Saba said he was not surprised by Highett’s star performance “And it still represents great value for money so I think the growth will continue for some time,” Mr Saba said The report revealed Highett’s value began to boom from mid-2013 which Mr Saba put down to the suburb’s rejuvenation “The transformation of Highett Village played a large role as well as increased developer activity,” he said “It represented a fantastic opportunity to buy blocks of around 650sq m-700sq m at a cost that was significantly more affordable than other areas of Bayside which sold for $1.085 million after quoting $850,000-$900,000 prior to auction which was an amazing result given it was an older property on around 270sq m,” Mr Saba said He said about 100 people and six bidders were at the auction Frankston North one of Victoria’s leading suburbs for median house growth McGrath Report tips Pascoe Vale as a ‘sleeper’ suburb 17 Nicol St, Highett CoreLogic state director for Victoria Geoff White said investors and homebuyers were looking to more affordable suburbs “They’re looking for properties that are affordable and manageable in terms of repayments and borrowing the general amenities of the area and in some cases proximity to the city,” Mr White said the demographics are sometimes changing in these areas so buyers or potential buyers are seeing that as an opportunity to get in.” The data also revealed that 142 houses were sold in Highett over the 12 month period Properties for sale in Highett had a median duration of 26 days on market SUBURB PROFILE: Highett VICTORIA’S TOP PERFORMING SUBURBS FOR MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE GROWTH annual percentage growth to median house value 1. Middle Park 2. St Kilda 3. Frankston North 4. Highett 5. Elwood 6. Malvern 7. Ardeer 8. Sunshine 9. Hawthorn 10. Kew East 11. Balnarring 12. Seaford 13. Broadmeadows 14. Deer Park 15. South Morang 16. Williamstown 17. McCrae 18. Healesville 19. Nunawading 20. Carrum Downs A lavish Highett home formerly owned by MasterChef executive producer Marty Benson is for sale A stunning home in Highett with a ‘secret’ soundproof children’s wing is up for sale — and has caught the eyes of some Melbourne footballers The current vendors bought the 18 Clonmult Ave pad from MasterChef executive producer Marty Benson in 2019 transforming it from an outdated 1950s build into a glamorous four-bedroom abode RELATED: MasterChef executive producer Marty Benson sells Highett home Beaumaris MCM home is a chamber of secrets Shoe-free Highett home’s mint condition helps auction kick to $156,000 bonus The spacious living room also lends itself to two concealed children’s bedrooms The kids’ wing is found behind these seamless doors It now features an open-plan kitchen and dining area leading out onto a spacious alfresco entertaining deck and swimming pool But the new owners have taken the renovation a step further under the guise of Melbourne-based design firm M1 Designs One of the new additions attracting buyers is the soundproof children’s wing The door is disguised by its integration into an American oak baton study nook and storage space in the living room but parents can have people over without disturbing the kids sleeping,” Kay & Burton Bayside agent Tommy McIntosh said Mr McIntosh added that he held a lavish open inspection for the property where ‘Clonmult Collins’ cocktails were served to about 35 groups of prospective buyers mostly comprising families — but also a couple of unnamed football players The stylish kitchen area features a wine fridge A main bedroom at the entrance comes with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe and they’ve added some beautiful stonework,” the agent said “A lot of the lighting is controlled by movement.” The stylish kitchen is complete with a 3m-wide Caesarstone island bench quality Smeg appliances and a butler’s pantry the pool is solar heated and is found alongside a built-in barbecue surround sound system and tropical-style gardens “It’s a special home — a complete package for a family,” said Mr McIntosh The opulent dwelling has been listed with a $2.35m-$2.45m price guide ahead of its October 8 auction 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: Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe’s Toorak apartment sells for around $2m Real estate underquoting Victoria: State government announces new task force Gippsland: Mirabilia Castle owner Regis Fazzani sells medieval-style citadel to new family Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time It is a winter’s Wednesday in suburban Highett and I am due to meet a multimillionaire hippie wellness entrepreneur at a local restaurant the internet says is closed school joker turned Village cinema manager turned Swisse vitamin company chief executive turned wellness entrepreneur already feels like a likeable guy – even though we have never met Radek Sali at The Hellenic House Project in Highett.Credit: Simon Schluter That’s because he tells readers on the opening page of his new book How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business (written with Bernadette Schwerdt) that most of them won’t succeed because they aren’t cut out to do it The Hellenic House Project is a standout in the suburban atmosphere of Highett Inside a man in a blazer with a Patagonia backpack slung over one shoulder and hair in a topknot greets staff like old acquaintances (as they indeed are) and flashes his multimillion-dollar smile (worth $250 million when in 2015 Swisse Wellness sold to a Chinese company for $1.7 billion even more now that he runs his own purpose-driven investment group Light Warrior) We are ushered upstairs to a very Greek room all blue and white with evil eye charms as wall decals Then it clicks into place. The Hellenic House Project the comeback bid of shamed TV chef George Calombaris But what are we doing here? Sali was a major investor in Calombaris’ Made Establishment hospitality group until an underpayment scandal cost millions to fix and hit everyone’s reputations The group shut down for that and other reasons I start with a very Radek Sali question: How are you (Hold on – is this a scoop?) Then he continues with a charming laugh: “I’m going fantastic!” Sali engagingly explains his modus operandi is positive language because it can help people telling how his Czech mother Hana fled communism and his Albanian father Avni became a doctor plus how-to-succeed-in-business tips and a coming-of-age story when cinema was central to the culture – Wog Boy filmmaker Nick Giannopoulos would visit and complain his film posters were badly displayed I’m keen – thanks to an extraordinary passage in his book – to ask about his mother I am in no way prepared for the question he has for me at the tail end of lunch – so stunningly personal I have never asked it in nearly 30 years of journalism but relents when he clocks my face and orders two glasses of Hellenic House prosecco from the Riverland The menu comes with its own glossary of Greek food terms We start with the dishes I have loved since my tiny 11-year-old mind was inspired by Greek tastes and history on a family holiday pickled daikon and rice crackers deconstructed And then there’s the gorgeous salty taramasalata (salted fish eggs) meze served with vinegar zucchini chips but his mum has made the Greek biscuits we later enjoy with coffee Sali explains why he is still supporting him “Whilst my journey with George was a challenging time for me – it was the one business that fell over – you learn most from failure and you get better as a result of that.” Kingfish tzatziki at The Hellenic House Project.Credit: Simon Schluter Restaurant group Made Establishment closed in 2020 after it made a large contrition payment to the Fair Work Ombudsman Underpayments to staff had totalled more than $7 million “We’re not partners in any business,” Sali says People might find it hard to remain friends after losing so much money, but Sali gives a soft chuckle as if he is acknowledging the point of view while dismissing it “George is such a generous soul that if you know him and understand where he comes from As much as I hope [they would do] the same for me.” As a multimillionaire investor with a focus on wellness Sali divides his time between his family home in Brunswick Heads with wife Helen and five-year-old daughter Elodie and their Collingwood apartment when he is down here on business It is just rich with thoughts and stories and interesting people.” Sali saw Australia suffer during the COVID lockdowns and thinks our cost-of-living crisis is actually a cost-of-COVID crisis with a lot of net effects from that time rebadged “We stopped the world and this country stopped for two years really “I think that there needs to be some kind of reconciliation, like a royal commission, that talks about why and what happened.” in crises in housing and immigration and foreign students but closer to home in teenage eating disorders even in the shyness of his daughter and her friends “We stopped the system and we’re not really talking about the endemic issues You can’t decode everyone’s kind of trauma and support them with it we need to allow everyone to unpack and then help each other go forward.” president of Food and Wine Victoria and on the board of Hawthorn Football Club The 24/7 nature of Swisse took its toll on his mental health and now he does things differently “I worked out I’m pretty good at a couple of things and going any further than that is really stretching me And so those couple of things are impact investment and wellness.” A tag on Sali’s Patagonia backpack is for Necker Island global entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands “He is beautifully awkward,” Sali says of the founder of the Virgin brand He’s very interested in lessons – you wouldn’t think that from his kind of brash PR He really cares about impact and doing things that are right and using his influence for good in the world.” Swisse and Sali made a fortune from trade with China His Swisse experience taught him that Chinese consumers have an affinity with Australian products and lifestyle “and what we stand for” “So I think that not having that kind of soft form of diplomacy where we are connecting at a business level is a really big mistake,” he says The signature dish arrives – slow-cooked lamb shoulder for two with tzatziki on the side with a carving knife stuck in the middle of its glazed skin Chips with feta and wild greens complete the ideal winter meal At one point in the book Sali talks about a huge stand-up argument he has with Chemist Warehouse over a contract Sali’s mother was a teenager studying in London when the Prague Spring happened and in the aftermath when communists suppressed the mass protests and stopped the liberalisation she was treated as a criminal and not allowed back home “She was like a hard-nosed 1980s coach Ron Barassi-style “But it set me up with a level of resilience and sense of what’s black and white in terms of what was right or wrong … and bringing your best or don’t bother otherwise.” Lunch with Radek Sali at The Hellenic House Project so I knew it was coming from a place of love And she just wanted to make sure I made the most of the opportunities I’d been given Mum still thinks I’m going to run out of money – she absolutely still thinks one day she’s going to have to come to rescue me.” The book recounts a painful moment which led to Helen leaving her job at Swisse as a marketing executive at the behest of another executive “That part where you can’t get over someone Just feeling that your whole body is reacting negatively – I just don’t think I need to carry that.” The book also recounts several battles with the TGA regulator over the marketing slogans for vitamins (the company won but then lost a later case) and media allegations against his dad over research on a product The book recounts the media scandal that ensued and how his father settled a defamation case against the ABC He comes back to Calombaris and recounts how he unfairly became the figurehead for the underpayment scandal while other culpable figures with their own underpayment scandals got away scot-free “George was the national discourse for a couple of weeks We didn’t see the Woolies CEO or board members attacked like that or the ABC’s lead team attacked for not getting [staff] their wages.” the tape recorder is off and we are chatting not strictly as interviewer and interviewee I am talking about myself more than I usually do when I become aware Sali is watching me and working out if he will ask something I am talking about my life and my partner when he just comes out and says it beyond which is an unknowable private core He thinks and eventually comes the explanation: “It is probably not relevant to someone who is trying to build a great business.” It is a winter\\u2019s Wednesday in suburban Highett already feels like a likeable guy \\u2013 even though we have never met That\\u2019s because he tells readers on the opening page of his new book How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business (written with Bernadette Schwerdt) that most of them won\\u2019t succeed because they aren\\u2019t cut out to do it But it is open today \\u2013 especially for us Sali was a major investor in Calombaris\\u2019 Made Establishment hospitality group until an to fix and hit everyone\\u2019s reputations \\u201CI\\u2019m not good,\\u201D he starts (Hold on \\u2013 is this a scoop?) Then he continues with a charming laugh: \\u201CI\\u2019m going fantastic!\\u201D plus how-to-succeed-in-business tips and a coming-of-age story when cinema was central to the culture \\u2013 Wog Boy filmmaker Nick Giannopoulos would visit and complain his film posters were badly displayed I\\u2019m keen \\u2013 thanks to an extraordinary passage in his book \\u2013 to ask about his mother I am in no way prepared for the question he has for me at the tail end of lunch \\u2013 so stunningly personal I have never asked it in nearly 30 years of journalism And then there\\u2019s the gorgeous salty taramasalata (salted fish eggs) meze served with vinegar zucchini chips \\u201CWhilst my journey with George was a challenging time for me \\u2013 it was the one business that fell over \\u2013 you learn most from failure and you get better as a result of that.\\u201D after it made a large contrition payment to the Fair Work Ombudsman \\u201CWe\\u2019re not partners in any business,\\u201D Sali says People might find it hard to remain friends after but Sali gives a soft chuckle \\u201CGeorge is such a generous soul that if you know him and understand where he comes from As much as I hope [they would do] the same for me.\\u201D It is just rich with thoughts and stories and interesting people.\\u201D \\u201CWe stopped the world and this country stopped for two years really \\u201CI think that there needs to be some kind of reconciliation like that talks about why and what happened.\\u201D \\u201CWe stopped the system and we\\u2019re not really talking about the endemic issues You can\\u2019t decode everyone\\u2019s kind of trauma and support them with it we need to allow everyone to unpack and then help each other go forward.\\u201D \\u201CI worked out I\\u2019m pretty good at a couple of things and going any further than that is really stretching me And so those couple of things are impact investment and wellness.\\u201D A tag on Sali\\u2019s Patagonia backpack is for Necker Island global entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson\\u2019s private island in the British Virgin Islands \\u201CHe is beautifully awkward,\\u201D Sali says of the founder of the Virgin brand He\\u2019s very interested in lessons \\u2013 you wouldn\\u2019t think that from his kind of brash PR He really cares about impact and doing things that are right and using his influence for good in the world.\\u201D His Swisse experience taught him that Chinese consumers have an affinity with Australian products and lifestyle \\u201Cand what we stand for\\u201D \\u201CSo I think that not having that kind of soft form of diplomacy where we are connecting at a business level is a really big mistake,\\u201D he says The signature dish arrives \\u2013 slow-cooked lamb shoulder for two with tzatziki on the side Sali\\u2019s mother was a teenager studying in London when the Prague Spring happened and in the aftermath \\u201CShe was like a hard-nosed 1980s coach Ron Barassi-style \\u201CBut it set me up with a level of resilience and sense of what\\u2019s black and white in terms of what was right or wrong \\u2026 and bringing your best or don\\u2019t bother otherwise.\\u201D \\u201CI could understand my mother\\u2019s fragility And she just wanted to make sure I made the most of the opportunities I\\u2019d been given Mum still thinks I\\u2019m going to run out of money \\u2013 she absolutely still thinks one day she\\u2019s going to have to come to rescue me.\\u201D \\u201CThat part where you can\\u2019t get over someone Just feeling that your whole body is reacting negatively \\u2013 I just don\\u2019t think I need to carry that.\\u201D \\u201CGeorge was the national discourse for a couple of weeks We didn\\u2019t see the Woolies CEO or board members attacked like that or the ABC\\u2019s lead team attacked for not getting [staff] their wages.\\u201D I don\\u2019t know if he would have answered He thinks and eventually comes the explanation: \\u201CIt is probably not relevant to someone who is trying to build a great business.\\u201D The median sale price in Highett has doubled in the past five years HIGHETT has evolved from a “ghost town” into a hot property market The inland suburb has caught the attention of first-home buyers and young couples looking to invest in one of the last remaining up-and-coming suburbs in the area CoreLogic data reveals Highett is the only Bayside suburb where the median sale price for houses has doubled over the past five years The townhouse is priced close to Highett’s median house sale price of $1.335 million RELATED: Buyers dig deep for Highett retro 1970s pad Groovy Highett time capsule pad swings into auction action Highett home features wealth of luxurious features It was Victoria’s fourth best-performing suburb for house value gains in 2017 The postcode also remains the only Bayside spot with a median age below 40 Buxton Hampton East director Paul Sibley said the former ‘ghost town’ had livened up due to the influx of young residents “People used to be unwilling to cross Bluff Rd but buyers have moved past that and the area is changing so quickly,” he said “It’s still only 10 minutes’ drive to the beach and offers buyers a similar Bayside lifestyle.” The home is close to Highett Rd’s popular cafes and the train station Mr Sibley — who also lives in Highett — said affordability compared to neighbouring suburbs was the main drawcard for youngsters “You’ve got people coming from St Kilda and Elwood which is keeping the suburb young and trendy,” he said “Couples looking to start a family are moving out from more expensive areas like Hampton and Sandringham to buy a larger home too.” Mr Sibley said houses priced near the $2 million mark used to be unheard of in Highett A four-bedroom home at 13 Marshall Avenue sold for $2.04 million in April this year. Another home at 32 Miller St on the market at present could also smash the $2 million mark But there are still quality family homes available at the suburb’s median price point, like 34A Gilarth St. Mr Sibley said a $2 million sale in Highett was once unheard of Buyer’s advocate and WBP group chairman Greville Pabst said the area had most clearly gentrified around Highett train station where cafes were popping up and houses split to accomodate for dual occupancy He said the growth extended to other inland suburbs in the southeast SUBURB PROFILE: Highett MORE: Stately Brunswick West residence on auction block Angry Dad Youtube star Mark Orval’s Mt Waverley home up for sale Plans for St Kilda’s new-look The Espy hotel revealed by owners Sand Hill Road Dubbed the Highett Gateway Project, the large tract of land holds frontages to Southland Shopping Centre and an open air car park to the south, the ever-busy Nepean Highway to the west and low-rise residential properties to the north and east. The proposal also maintains a secondary address of 60-64 Matthieson Street, Highett The development site was offered for sale by Savills during September 2015 Rothelowman Senior Associate Belinda Nincevic provided Urban.com.au with the following project description: The concept for this proposal focuses on the opportunity to create a community articulation and iconic presence in this location The overall development will create a visual buffer to the blank hard edges at the northern side of the shopping centre while the commercial frontage will activate and improve the urban streetscape A new pedestrian link is also proposed along the southern boundary promoting an improved pedestrian experience and connection between transport The proposal is for a collection of buildings varying in height from three to thirteen storeys; all of which connect at pedestrian level Overall the 13 storey proposal totals 31,282.1sqm in Gross Floor Area and will consist of approximately 265 apartments with associated amenities Provisions for 289 car spaces have been included City of Kingston currently have the project at a Request for Further Information stage, with public advertising likely to follow for may would become Highett's tallest building FORMER AFL star Brent Staker is booting his Highett investment property The 33-year old — who notched 160 games for Brisbane and West Coast before retiring in 2015 — has listed the modern two-bedroom apartment for private sale with a $380,000-$418,000 price guide where he’s an assistant coach for the Lions’ AFLW side a footy commentator for Crocmedia and an agent for Resort Brokers Australia His playing career was marred by a 2008 on-field incident in which he was punched in the face by Barry Hall resulting in the Sydney full-forward being suspended for seven matches RELATED: Southeast among the regions defying Melbourne’s property slump Effie actor Mary Coustas’ family lists in Doncaster Owner of world-famous Bali beach club calls last drinks on Melbourne base Inside Staker’s investment property at 1/68-82 Graham Rd The kitchen is fitted with Blanco appliances Rombotis Real Estate director John Rombotis — a former footy player for Fitzroy, Port Adelaide and Richmond in the ‘90s — said Staker bought the ground floor pad at 1/68-82 Graham Rd off-the-plan His choice to invest in Melbourne had been a “business decision” CoreLogic records show the property last sold in December 2012 for $430,000 It had been a solid investment for Staker since most recently returning $400 per week in rent and it’s in the heart of Highett,” the agent said “(The suburb’s) become a very dynamic area Staker’s investment property is surrounded by shops and cafes It’s kicking distance from Highett train station Brisbane-based Staker now works in management rights sales with Resort Brokers Australia as well as being an AFLW coach and AFL commentator Staker told the Herald Sun it was “time to move on” from the apartment as he had decided to settle in Queensland’s capital The former footballer said he was enjoying his career in real estate specialising in the sale of short-term accommodation and management rights “It’s a whole different ball game compared to footy,” he said His property features an open-plan living and meals area with a kitchen containing Blanco appliances and flowing out to a terrace “large enough to enjoy a barbecue with family and friends” a bathroom and European laundry complete the spacious floorplan Mr Rombotis expected the apartment to appeal to a mixed bag of first-home buyers people downsizing from larger homes and investors samantha.landy@news.com.au