Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Rene Licata seemed to be the epitome of success lived in a glamorous contemporary house in Burraneer and headed up boutique developer Manta Group spearheading his long-held vision for a grand town centre and residential development at Middleton Grange bang in the heart of the Western Sydney Growth Area The property developer of which he was chief executive and a major shareholder has been placed into receivership and the title to the family home is laden with a second mortgage court orders and four caveats to protect loans from other lenders Renee Licata and the site of the Middleton Grange development.Credit: Marija Ercegovac/Steven Siewert and hundreds of apartments earmarked for the 7.9-hectare site are yet to materialise await a buyer for their contemporary four-bedroom home – it was listed six months ago for $3 million but is now $2.9 million – he says he’s already planning his comeback I’ve been involved in this project from the start Licata declined to reveal what funding arrangements he had to cover his comeback he plans to buy back the development’s remaining lots once the administrators are no longer in control What the Middleton Grange development currently looks like.Credit: Steven Siewert Manta Group was placed into administration with debts of more than $68 million up from the project’s original $26 million in financing from a different lender it wasn’t just the debt burden that prompted Alceon Finance to call in administrators but also a bitter falling out among the group’s six directors and seven shareholders And in the decade since Manta Group bought the site for $19.8 million from the De Angelis hotelier family there’s not a lot of building work to show for itself Instead of the proposed eight residential towers and commercial blocks consultancy reports and COVID-related supply issues for the cost blowout What the Middleton Grange development is supposed to look like when it is completed Licata and Simone have shrugged off adversity previously. They are both former bankrupts known for their matching his and hers Maseratis, and Simone made headlines in 2021 when she was nominated, unsuccessfully Her nomination was likely marred by revelations that on her official form she had ticked “no” when asked if she had been engaged in any business involving property development in the past seven years At the time Simone was a co-director with Licata of the family company that was a major shareholder in Manta Group Simone maintained she declared the interest on a separate form The member for Cook Simon Kennedy (left) with fellow Liberal Party member Rene Licata.Credit: Facebook a two-bedroom house on a busy street in Woolooware was sold in 2023 for $1.76 million to corporate interests ultimately owned by Ahmed Alkhoshaibi chief executive of United Arab Emirates mega-developer Arada that same Woolooware house resold late last year for $2.04 million to a company owned by Licata and Simone’s long-time associate Matt Daniel a controversial mover and shaker among Liberal Party types in southern Sydney Daniel is a town planner and director of Pacific Planning which is listed on Manta Group’s administrator’s report as owed $24,245 Daniel’s latest work on behalf of Manta Group was to lodge an amendment to the subdivision of Middleton Grange town centre citing the unconventional plans could potentially leave some blocks landlocked All is not lost for the Middleton Grange town centre Investment firm Alceon Finance has vowed to push ahead with the project appointing its own expert consultants to project manage the completion of the civil works with the administrators Two of the project’s major commercial lots – one flagged as a supermarket and another as a potential hotel – have already sold The civil work is expected to be complete in the second half of this year ready for sale to a new developer to take over the project Alceon’s involvement in Middleton Grange goes back to a land and civil works loan facility of late 2022 by which time the town centre had already secured the first tick of approval by the local planning panel for 671 apartments across eight buildings Among the many setbacks faced by the project was a 2019 protest by locals when hundreds of objections were lodged over the project’s initial size and scale An artist’s impression of the proposed Middleton Grange town centre still with no DA for the town centre.Credit: Liverpool City Council the planning controls were amended in 2022 to limit the number of apartments to more than 600 reduce the heights from 11 storeys to eight and double the amount of public space available There is no development application approval for the town centre As well as the $68.39 million owed to Alceon as the secured lender there is an outstanding $778,000 land tax bill and $18,800 owed to Liverpool Council according to the report lodged by administrator Costa Nicodemou of Newpoint Advisory Company records indicate that more than $3 million is owed to the interests of Licata and former co-director Obaida Al Hassan Licata said the money is for work they undertook on the project over the past decade Licata wouldn’t reveal if he still has his black Maserati but sources say Simone is reduced to driving a red Mini Cooper Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter. Until recently, Rene Licata seemed to be the epitome of success. A former Young Socceroo, he drove a Maserati, lived in a glamorous contemporary house in Burraneer, and headed up boutique developer Manta Group, spearheading his long-held vision for a grand town centre and residential development at Middleton Grange, bang in the heart of the Western Sydney Growth Area. But things have gone awry. The property developer of which he was chief executive and a major shareholder has been placed into receivership, his Maserati hasn\\u2019t been seen in months, and the title to the family home is laden with a second mortgage, court orders and four caveats to protect loans from other lenders. What\\u2019s more, the town centre\\u2019s supermarket, medical centre, pub, childcare facility, and hundreds of apartments earmarked for the 7.9-hectare site are yet to materialise. But if Licata is daunted, he doesn\\u2019t sound like it. As he and his wife, Liberal Party powerhouse Marie Simone, await a buyer for their contemporary four-bedroom home \\u2013 it was listed six months ago for $3 million but is now $2.9 million \\u2013 he says he\\u2019s already planning his comeback. \\u201CWatch this space,\\u201D he said. \\u201CI\\u2019m a fighter. I\\u2019ve been involved in this project from the start, since 2002. It\\u2019s had many setbacks, but I\\u2019ve created something very special, and I plan to finish it.\\u201D Licata declined to reveal what funding arrangements he had to cover his comeback, saying only that for sentimental reasons, he plans to buy back the development\\u2019s remaining lots once the administrators are no longer in control. It won\\u2019t be cheap. Manta Group was placed into administration with debts of more than $68 million, up from the project\\u2019s original $26 million in financing from a different lender. What\\u2019s more, it wasn\\u2019t just the debt burden that prompted Alceon Finance to call in administrators but also a bitter falling out among the group\\u2019s six directors and seven shareholders. And in the decade since Manta Group bought the site for $19.8 million from the De Angelis hotelier family, there\\u2019s not a lot of building work to show for itself. Instead of the proposed eight residential towers and commercial blocks, there are only a few roads, footpaths and street lights. Licata blames council red tape, zoning issues, consultancy reports and COVID-related supply issues for the cost blowout. Licata and Simone have shrugged off adversity previously. They are , and Simone made headlines in 2021 when she was , for local Liberal party pre-selection. Her nomination was likely marred by revelations that on her official form, she had ticked \\u201Cno\\u201D when asked if she had been engaged in any business involving property development in the past seven years. At the time Simone was a co-director with Licata of the family company that was a major shareholder in Manta Group. Simone maintained she declared the interest on a separate form. Meanwhile, the couple\\u2019s former home, a two-bedroom house on a busy street in Woolooware, was sold in 2023 for $1.76 million to corporate interests ultimately owned by Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, chief executive of United Arab Emirates mega-developer Arada. In a case of happy coincidence, that same Woolooware house resold late last year for $2.04 million to a company owned by Licata and Simone\\u2019s long-time associate Matt Daniel, a controversial mover and shaker among Liberal Party types in southern Sydney. Daniel is a town planner and director of Pacific Planning, which is listed on Manta Group\\u2019s administrator\\u2019s report as owed $24,245. Daniel\\u2019s latest work on behalf of Manta Group was to lodge an amendment to the subdivision of Middleton Grange town centre. However, the panel rejected it last week, citing the unconventional plans could potentially leave some blocks landlocked. All is not lost for the Middleton Grange town centre, however. Investment firm Alceon Finance has vowed to push ahead with the project, appointing its own expert consultants to project manage the completion of the civil works with the administrators. Two of the project\\u2019s major commercial lots \\u2013 one flagged as a supermarket and another as a potential hotel \\u2013 have already sold. The civil work is expected to be complete in the second half of this year ready for sale to a new developer to take over the project. Alceon\\u2019s involvement in Middleton Grange goes back to a land and civil works loan facility of late 2022, by which time the town centre had already secured the first tick of approval by the local planning panel for 671 apartments across eight buildings. Among the many setbacks faced by the project was a 2019 protest by locals when hundreds of objections were lodged over the project\\u2019s initial size and scale. As a result, the planning controls were amended in 2022 to limit the number of apartments to more than 600, reduce the heights from 11 storeys to eight, and double the amount of public space available. There is no development application approval for the town centre. As well as the $68.39 million owed to Alceon as the secured lender, there is an outstanding $778,000 land tax bill and $18,800 owed to Liverpool Council, according to the report lodged by administrator Costa Nicodemou of Newpoint Advisory. Company records indicate that more than $3 million is owed to the interests of Licata and former co-director Obaida Al Hassan. Licata said the money is for work they undertook on the project over the past decade. Licata wouldn\\u2019t reveal if he still has his black Maserati, but sources say Simone is reduced to driving a red Mini Cooper, albeit a limited edition 37. Get the day\\u2019s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) his Maserati hasn\\u2019t been seen in months await a buyer for their contemporary four-bedroom home \\u2013 it was listed six months ago for $3 million but is now $2.9 million \\u2013 he says he\\u2019s already planning his comeback I\\u2019ve been involved in this project from the start but I\\u2019ve created something very special he plans to buy back the development\\u2019s remaining lots once the administrators are no longer in control up from the project\\u2019s original $26 million in financing from a different lender it wasn\\u2019t just the debt burden that prompted Alceon Finance to call in administrators but also a bitter falling out among the group\\u2019s six directors and seven shareholders there\\u2019s not a lot of building work to show for itself Licata and Simone have shrugged off adversity previously and Simone made headlines in 2021 when she was she had ticked \\u201Cno\\u201D when asked if she had been engaged in any business involving property development in the past seven years that same Woolooware house resold late last year for $2.04 million to a company owned by Licata and Simone\\u2019s long-time associate Matt Daniel which is listed on Manta Group\\u2019s administrator\\u2019s report as owed $24,245 Daniel\\u2019s latest work on behalf of Manta Group was to lodge an amendment to the subdivision of Middleton Grange town centre Two of the project\\u2019s major commercial lots \\u2013 one flagged as a supermarket and another as a potential hotel \\u2013 have already sold Alceon\\u2019s involvement in Middleton Grange goes back to a land and civil works loan facility of late 2022 Among the many setbacks faced by the project was a 2019 protest by locals when hundreds of objections were lodged over the project\\u2019s initial size and scale Licata wouldn\\u2019t reveal if he still has his black Maserati entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy The 34-year-old allegedly struck an officer with a knife in Middleton Grange before he was shot A knife-wielding man has been shot dead in Sydney’s southwest after he allegedly attempted to stab a police officer who narrowly avoided “catastrophic injuries” Emergency services were called to Bird Walton Avenue in Middleton Grange about 11pm on Saturday following reports a man was armed with a knife assistant commissioner Brett McFadden said the man had been walking in the street and allegedly threw a knife at a car with civilians inside – not thought to be known by him – who then contacted police Police said the 34-year-old allegedly confronted and threatened officers on arrival He allegedly struck a 33-year-old senior constable with the knife through the open window of a police vehicle on two occasions but the officer – who was in the drivers seat – was protected by his operational vest Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup McFadden alleged the man “rushed towards the officer that had discharged the Taser” before another officer shot the man twice in the torso Police said CPR was administered but at 11.41pm but McFadden said the damage to his vest was “centimetres to hitting another part of his body and causing catastrophic injuries.” “I viewed body-worn video of the incident and am well satisfied that the incident took place in a matter of seconds,” McFadden said “Tactical options were used and the transition from a Taser to a firearm occurred in a matter of seconds.” A critical incident team from the state crime command’s homicide squad will investigate the circumstances of the shooting The probe is subject to an independent review The investigation will be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and is reportable to the state coroner The five police officers who responded have not been interviewed yet but he anticipates that will take place “over the next couple of days.” McFadden said the man lived a short distance from the site and is known to police The man’s mindset would be subject to investigation The lead investigator had spoken to the man’s family to assist with inquiries Photo: Supplied/AAP PHOTOSTwo people have been charged after detectives seized luxury cars jewellery and a cache of wine during a probe into an alleged $10 million fraud on an automotive group NSW Police on Thursday revealed a seven-month investigation had uncovered a group allegedly using stolen information from more than 30 people to buy luxury cars that did not exist was arrested in May following a search of a home at Middleton Grange in southwest Sydney The 31-year-old was charged with 102 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception watches and $200,000 worth of wine were seized (Supplied/AAP PHOTOS)According to court documents seen by AAP she allegedly issued millions of dollars of fraudulent loans to Toyota and Volkswagen and claimed sales commissions off those loans from McCarroll Automotive Group in the Sydney suburb of Artarmon She was also hit with one count of possessing a prohibited drug after police allegedly found 31 grams of magic mushrooms at the Middleton Grange home on the day of her arrest Suntsova has been granted strict conditional bail and will next appear at Downing Centre Local Court on October 3 detectives searched a home in Carlingford and a warehouse unit in Alexandria in the early hours of Wednesday and an estimated $200,000 worth of wine and other alcohol was arrested at the property and later charged with three counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of general crime with intent to conceal participating in a criminal group and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5000 His application for bail was refused at Burwood Local Court on Thursday and he will next appear at Parramatta Local Court on September 26 Detectives will allege in court that Bian made a number of fraudulent applications through the woman who used her position as an employee at the automotive financing business to approve financing to the value of $600,000 Two people have been charged over the fraudulent scheme (Supplied/AAP PHOTOS)Police further allege he attempted to launder the money through various bank accounts Suntsova went on to facilitate transactions relating to more than 50 luxury vehicles Financial Crime Squad commander Gordon Arbinja warned further arrests were imminent "We have several more targets allegedly involved in this criminal syndicate that we are interested in and want those victims of this syndicate to know more arrests are coming," he said "No one should receive a letter in the mail saying they owe tens of thousands of dollars for a car they have never seen." 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Read our Privacy Policy $700 bottles of Lady Gaga-branded Dom Perignon champagne and Cartier jewellery – these are just some of the luxuries police allege a criminal syndicate bought using stolen identities and car loans used for luxury vehicles that didn’t exist colluded with a 31-year-old female employee of a motor vehicle financing company to use the stolen identities of 33 people to apply for loans to buy fictional luxury cars Police say the woman facilitated the financing of more than 50 luxury cars worth a combined $10 million between November 2022 and August 2023 Police say the man tried to launder $600,000 through various bank accounts the woman was arrested at a home in Middleton Grange She was charged with 102 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of possessing a prohibited drug they searched a home in Carlingford and a warehouse in Alexandria on Wednesday During the search detectives allegedly found a Tesla sedan luxury jewellery including Cartier rings and a significant collection of high-end wines and liquor worth more than $200,000 Police found two bottles of Lady Gaga branded champagne The collection included the rare Lady Gaga-branded Dom Perignon; cases of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande worth more than $300 a bottle; and bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne One special edition case of Armand De Brignac Ace of Spades champagne was taken into evidence The case of six wines is worth at least $15,000 Multiple cases of Hennessy cognac worth $350 a bottle and bottles of Sullivans Cove Tasmanian whisky Bian was arrested at the Carlingford home and charged with two counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and a separate charge of recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime of more than $5000 as well as participating in a criminal group He was refused bail in Burwood Local Court on Thursday He will appear in Parramatta Local Court on September 26 Commander of State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad “No one should receive a letter in the mail saying they owe tens of thousands of dollars for a car they have never seen,” he said “I want to thank the businesses involved in this investigation for their outstanding co-operation Thanks to them we have been able to prevent further innocent people from having their personal information caught up in this fraud.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter $700 bottles of Lady Gaga-branded Dom Perignon champagne and Cartier jewellery \\u2013 these are just some of the luxuries police allege a criminal syndicate bought using stolen identities and car loans used for luxury vehicles that didn\\u2019t exist Commander of State Crime Command\\u2019s Financial Crime Squad \\u201CNo one should receive a letter in the mail saying they owe tens of thousands of dollars for a car they have never seen,\\u201D he said \\u201CI want to thank the businesses involved in this investigation for their outstanding co-operation Thanks to them we have been able to prevent further innocent people from having their personal information caught up in this fraud.\\u201D Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories This is probably not the page you’re looking for Sign up here for your daily business digest direct to your inbox Sign Up Discover our talented editorial team and the principles that drive them. A Hartlepool shopping centre has reported a significant rise in visitors over the festive period. Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, which was taken over by the Hartlepool Development Corporation in early 2024, saw total footfall climb to 601,226 in December 2024, marking an 8.7 per cent increase compared to the previous year.  Bosses say festive attractions such as Santa’s Grotto and the Hartlepool Giving Tree, as well as the shopping centre’s “diverse retail offering”, contributed to the seasonal uplift. Nik McDonald, centre manager, said: "We are delighted to see such strong footfall numbers in December, reflecting the vibrancy and popularity of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.  “Our festive initiatives, coupled with a diverse retail offering, have truly resonated with our visitors.  “We have already enjoyed a strong start to 2025, and look forward to continuing this momentum throughout the year.” Ben Houchen, Tees Valley mayor and Hartlepool Development Corporation chair, added: “The success of Middleton Grange is essential to our plan to ensuring Hartlepool town centre is a vibrant and attractive place for people to visit, shop and relax. “It’s great to see we are already making progress in growing visitor numbers and that the centre enjoyed such a fantastic festive season on which we will build in 2025.” Sign up to receive our daily bulletin, sent to your inbox, for free. Australia's BIGGEST New Car WebsiteAustralia's BIGGEST New Car WebsiteNews Reviews Research Buy SellGuest User Two people have been arrested and charged following a New South Wales Police investigation into an alleged $10 million financing fraud scheme that targeted a Sydney automotive group Strike Force Myddleton was instigated by detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad – with assistance from the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) – in January The Strike Force’s investigations were centred around an alleged criminal syndicate targeting automotive financing companies the syndicate was allegedly using the stolen personal information of over 33 people to apply for financing through the various companies to purchase luxury cars The investigation led to a first search warrant being executed on May 15 when a 31-year-old woman who was an employee of the automotive financing business was arrested at a Middleton Grange home She was later charged at Liverpool Police Station with 102 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of possessing prohibited drugs Further investigations – aided by the Raptor Squad and NSWCC – led to more search warrants being executed at a home in Carlingford and a warehouse unit in Alexandria on August 14 Detectives reportedly seized a Tesla Model Y large amounts of luxury jewellery and an estimated $200,000 worth of wine and other assorted alcohol while a 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gladesville Police Station Police charged him with three counts of recklessly dealing proceeds of general crime with the intent to conceal and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $5000 He’s due to appear in Burwood Local Court today where detectives will allege he made a number of fraudulent applications through the 31-year-old woman to approve financing to the value of $600,000 which the man attempted to then launder through various bank accounts Detectives also allege the woman facilitated financing for more than 50 luxury vehicles worth a combined $10 million between November 2022 and August 2023 According to Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja there are more arrests to be made by Strike Force Myddleton relating to the alleged finance fraud “We have several more targets allegedly involved in this criminal syndicate that we are interested in and want those victims of this syndicate to know more arrests are coming,” he said in a media statement “No one should receive a letter in the mail saying they owe tens of thousands of dollars for a car they have never seen.” “I want to thank the businesses involved in this investigation for their outstanding cooperation MORE: How scammers are targeting Australia’s used car market Jordan has worked as a full-time automotive journalist since 2021 being one of the most-published automotive news writers in Australia before joining CarExpert in 2024 Celebrate local Aboriginal culture as you take a walk from the Wylde Mountain Bike and BMX hub in Cecil Park winding south through Cumberland Plain woodland and old farmland to Middleton Grange The 11km return walk through Western Sydney Parklands is now open to the public and features six landmark trees transformed into striking Aboriginal artworks that represent Dharug seasons Meaning ‘walk of the Gabru (or Cabro) people’ who traditionally lived in the Fairfield and Liverpool area Gabrugal Yana is the first walk of its kind in western Sydney and opens up a part of Western Sydney Parklands previously only known to locals First Nations artists Shay Tobin and Djon Mundine OAM worked with Dharug cultural consultants and community members to bring the change of seasons to life through artworks that depict well-known Sydney plants and animals such as the blue tongue lizard and the eel The trees share Dharug names and language which is accessible through audio which can be heard along the route Boasting spectacular views to the city and Blue Mountains Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said that this walk will show off Western Sydney Parklands and the incredible beauty it has to offer “It is also another step towards making sure that future generations in western Sydney can enjoy the best possible recreational spaces as part of our continued focus on housing and infrastructure,” Mr Sully said Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said that the residents of Austral Middleton Grange and throughout Leppington have long called for more recreational and green spaces we’re not only answering that call but also enriching our community’s cultural and environmental awareness,” Mr Hagarty said the southern part of Western Sydney Parklands which is eight times the size of Centennial Park will continue to grow as the backyard for fast-growing communities in Austral “The development of the southern part of the Parklands into a sustainable hub for recreation is the start of delivering a more liveable community to south west Sydney,” Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said water stations and amenities are available at Wylde Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Five Dock shooting victim John Odisho was tearfully farewelled by thousands in the Assyrian community at Middleton Grange's Saint Zaia Cathedral on Tuesday Mr Odisho, 25, and a male relative were inside their Five Dock apartment in the early hours of last Tuesday when two men allegedly scaled their balcony and burst into their apartment, shooting both men. who was fatally shot in his Five Dock apartment was farewelled on Tuesday.Credit: Facebook They were taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Friends of Mr Odisho broke from the Assyrian tradition of wearing all black to funerals to wear football jerseys in a tribute to the keen soccer player's favourite team The other man inside the East Street apartment was shot in the arm In the shooting's aftermath, another man, Cengiz Coskun, checked himself into Auburn Hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach. and on Thursday last week charged with murder and shoot at with intent to murder Mr Coskun faced Parramatta Bail Court from his hospital bed where he did not apply for bail which was formally refused He was later discharged from hospital into police custody on Friday Those who knew Mr Odisho remain shocked that he was shot dead a friend told the Herald on the condition of anonymity "I have no idea what he was involved in that could have got him killed," the friend said Thousands crowded into the courtyard of the Cathedral after Mr Odisho's morning funeral with a motorcycle escort accompanying the flower-covered hearse as it left Police continue to look for a second man captured on CCTV running from the East Street building immediately following the 3.45am call to emergency services Five Dock shooting victim John Odisho was tearfully farewelled by thousands in the Assyrian community at Middleton Grange's Saint Zaia Cathedral on Tuesday and a male relative were inside their Five Dock apartment in the early hours of last Tuesday when Friends of Mr Odisho broke from the Assyrian tradition of wearing all black to funerals to wear football jerseys in a tribute to the keen soccer player's favourite team \\\"I have no idea what he was involved in that could have got him killed,\\\" the friend said Thousands crowded into the courtyard of the Cathedral after Mr Odisho's morning\\u00A0funeral