We're upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes Melbourne's first express busway and a seamless connection to North East Link From October we’ll start setting up our work area south of the freeway between Doncaster Road and Valda Wetlands We'll create space to build the new freeway lanes upgrade noise walls and divert the Koonung Creek we’ll install temporary noise walls to reduce noise and visual impacts for residents closing lanes on the Eastern Freeway between Elgar and Doncaster roads We'll be working close to properties behind Jocelyn Avenue until early 2026 piling and earthworks and are anticipated to generate high levels of noise and vibration from equipment and machinery We'll work closely with impacted residents to provide additional information on works timing and how we propose to manage the expected disruptions we'll close the Koonung Creek Trail in some sections from October 2024 We'll have on-street diversions for pedestrians and cyclists We're building a small channel to move the Koonung Creek under the new freeway lanes This helps make space for additional traffic lanes we’ll start construction of a channel between Sweyn Street in Balwyn North and the Valda Wetlands in Mont Albert North This includes removing vegetation and temporarily diverting the Koonung Creek around work areas We'll excavate the existing creek bed and install concrete channel structures The channel will then be back filled to raise the surface to road level This will allow the new freeway lanes to be built on top with the creek running underneath We'll also upgrade an existing channel structure that runs beneath the Eastern Freeway This will ensure the creek is protected before building new freeway lanes We'll be working behind properties on Andrew Court and works will include removing vegetation earthworks and piling to make room for the installation of a precast concrete arch channel structure In late 2025 we’ll start piling works and building the retaining walls for the upgraded noise walls which have been designed to protect privacy reduce traffic noise and allow for natural light The new and upgraded noise walls will meet a stringent daytime noise standard of 63 decibels This is in line with the highest level of traffic noise protection in Victoria We'll carry out most of our works during the day although some extended hours and night works will be required particularly when working near live traffic There are strict controls in place to manage construction impacts when working at night If you ever have concerns about construction impacts Once construction is complete the Koonung Creek Trail will be landscaped with new trees and vegetation in line with an approved Urban Design and Landscape plan There are many ways you can keep in touch and learn more about works in your area Speak to our team: Our community engagement team will be speaking to local residents about these works and how we can support you during construction Visit us at our Project Information Centre Contact us: You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of theproject team or to make an appointment to see us Sign up for updates: If you would like to receive SMS or email updates SMS or email updates. we’re delivering 3 major road projects The 6.5km North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen will fix the missing link in our city’s freeway network take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes Upgrades to the Eastern Freeway and M80 Ring Road will include new lanes smart technology and a seamless connection to the North East Link tunnels You need to enable javascript to view latest disruptions Return to the North East Link homepage Receive regular updates about North East Link The council has stepped into the fray by allowing hedge owners to pay to widen the footpath, thereby keeping everyone happy – or at least until the hedge inevitably grows over the extension. Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines. Other heritage considerations ensured that historic Mont Albert train station was preserved when it was decommissioned, along with Surrey Hills station, for the creation of the new Union superstation. Last year, it was rebuilt on the northern side of the new heritage plaza connecting Hamilton Street with Beresford Street to serve as a community hub. The village shopping centre extending from the old station along Hamilton Street hasn’t suffered from the rail removal, says Duane Wolowiec of Marshall White Boroondara. “It’s a beautiful strip; it feels like you’re in Daylesford rather than Melbourne,” he says. “The locals love it – it has one of everything like the supermarket, the butcher and the fruiterer, and some great places to stop and enjoy a coffee and catch up with friends.” In the mood for pizza? Follow the neon sign to Amici in the shopping village, where wood-fired pies stick to the Neapolitan script and the house-made pasta plays a strong comfort game. The chic Via Porter on Whitehorse Road also delivers Italian vibes at breakfast – heirloom tomatoes on toast with red pepper pesto, stracciatella and herbs makes a patriotic tricolour – and morphs into an elegant wine bar and restaurant where fried provolone with lemon and honey is the only sensible starter. Take a walk around the `hood to see why Mont Albert is so beloved by its residents. Its hedge-driven charm is on full display along the likes of Smythe Avenue and Victoria Crescent, while equally gorgeous Zetland Road also offers easy access to the super-cute shopping village. The pace of life in these parts is unhurried, so if it’s action you crave, head across the eastern border to the bright lights of the bustling metropolis of Box Hill. 3 Baths3 ParkingView listing Old and new mingle beautifully at this recently renovated Victorian beauty. Cottagecore good looks from the street give way to seamless interiors with curving feature windows at the rear and a fantastic self-contained studio that could be a retreat, office or fifth bedroom. Ivanhoe: The arts and crafts movement got its Australian toehold here Pascoe Vale: Once Recipe TinEats raved about Emil’s Cafe it was booming St Kilda: The bayside suburb attracting a large investor market 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 CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) This is probably not the page you’re looking for Five teenagers have been arrested after allegedly stealing cigarettes from two Croydon locations before running rampant across the eastern suburbs Police believe the teens allegedly stole cigarettes from a Dorset Road service station and a store on Mount Dandenong Road as well as attempting a burglary at a service station on Bayswater Road in Bayswater North around 9.30pm on 10 February but the offenders were disturbed by a staff member and fled No threats were made and there were no injuries Officers spotted the allegedly stolen white Range Rover Discovery which was said to have been used in these earlier incidents driving erratically on Capital Avenue in Glen Waverley about 11pm The car was stolen from the Albert Park area on 8 February The Range Rover was followed from Glen Waverley through multiple suburbs by Air Wing Operation Trinity units and uniform police on the ground the occupants dumped the Range Rover in Wantirna They allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle at the intersection of Burwood Highway and Stud Road but were unsuccessful The teenagers allegedly stole a Ford Focus during an aggravated carjacking on Stud Road where the driver was threatened with a knife The driver was not physically injured during the incident The teenagers fled in the Focus towards Box Hill and stop sticks were successfully deployed The car came to a stop on Belmore Road in Mont Albert North where the five male occupants fled on foot and a 15-year-old boy from the Moorabbin area were all arrested nearby They were taken into custody and will be interviewed by Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit detectives Operation Trinity has been specifically targeting burglars and car thieves each night since March 2023 which runs from dusk until dawn across Melbourne is easily Victoria Police’s most well-resourced operation there are another 70 police including members of the Dog Squad specifically tasked with preventing and responding to burglaries and car thefts each night Jacinta Price opened Matilda in Mont Albert North in 2022 set in a former milk bar and revamped with a French-inspired interior was quick to draw a crowd with its glass pastry case filled with bagels the beloved suburban cafe has opened a smaller takeaway-only spot in an old office building Price says Petite by Matilda is a “little sister version” of the original The idea came about after the team quickly outgrew the Matilda space “The kitchen was the size of an at-home laundry and we could not keep up with the amount of food we had to produce in that space,” Price tells Broadsheet So the team rented the shop across the road from Matilda and built a commercial kitchen which allows them to offer catering and celebration cakes in addition to the same toasties and salads they’ve become known for travel spots and more – curated by those who know “We’re selling celebration cakes off the shelf every weekend [You can] come in and order a six-inch cake that’s on display and just take it home with you,” says Price There’ll be three simple flavours on offer each weekend and there’ll always be a gluten-free and a vegan cake available The Petite by Matilda interiors were finished by Price and her partner Travis Nesbitt and to the addition of details including arched windows the team found second-hand and painted robin egg blue For food, there’s a chicken baguette and rotating daily toasties like the mushroom, pesto and goat cheese and the Matilda toastie, which includes pumpkin, kale, onion jam and vegan feta – all made with bread from Cobb Lane fresh-squeezed orange juice made in-house and a selection of smoothies A section of the menu is titled “For the Dog” with toasted scraps (to help with food waste) and puppy-chinos @petitebymatilda Croissants and Crème Brûlées – Everything but Buns a New Neighbourhood Wine Bar in Albert Park From a Wine Pro and a Vex Chef a French Chef’s Fitzroy Bistro Dedicated to His Nonna First Look: Some of the Best Malaysian Food in Melbourne Is at Pappa Laksa Burwood were arrested after allegedly carjacking and leading police on a high-speed chase across Melbourne’s south-east on Monday night The incident took place around 11pm when officers spotted a white Range Rover Discovery which had been stolen from Albert Park on Saturday being driven erratically in Glen Waverley.  The car was allegedly linked to a series of incidents earlier that evening including an alleged theft of cigarettes from a service station in Croydon and an alleged attempted robbery at another service station in Bayswater North A Victoria Police spokesperson said: “The offenders were disturbed by a staff member and fled with no threats made or injuries reported.” on a chase through several suburbs before the car was abandoned in Wantirna.  They allegedly tried to steal another vehicle but failed before threatening a driver with a knife and stealing their car.  They were arrested near Mont Albert North a short time later.  The five boys were taken into custody and are expected to be interviewed by detectives Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you Get the latest updates direct to your inbox We’re getting ready to upgrade the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway to slash travel times and improve public transport in Melbourne’s east We're also building new and upgraded walking and cycling paths along with safer pedestrian bridges and underpasses We'll reimagine Koonung Creek Reserve with revitalised wetlands and waterways and introduce Victoria's toughest traffic noise standard Major works to upgrade the Eastern Freeway from Burke Road to Tram Road will commence in January 2024 with construction beginning on the southern side of the freeway between Doncaster Road and Elgar Road To build a seamless interchange with North East Link we'll need to work alongside the freeway corridor including the wetlands near Valda Avenue in Mont Albert North We’ll also set up a work site on Elgar Park’s north-west oval for worker facilities We’ll also use the oval to create temporary floodwater storage while we work at Valda Wetlands we’ll reinstate the Koonung Creek Trail and Elgar Park north-west oval The Valda Wetlands will be landscaped with new trees and vegetation in line with an approved Urban Design and Landscape plan 10,000+ new trees including more than 1.8 million new plants will be planted for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road expanded and joined with a rebuilt Koonung Creek The 43,700 square metre wetland precinct will be reimagined as a living waterway with indigenous trees and plants new seating areas and new and upgraded pedestrian paths A new shared-use bridge at Heyington Avenue will improve walking and cycling connections to and from the wetlands and we’ll work with qualified ecologists as we clear large areas of vegetation in Valda Wetlands and safely relocate fauna to nearby areas before we begin we’ll realign two short sections of the Koonung Creek Trail install noise reduction fencing around our worksites and begin work on the wetlands we need to use part of the space to build the new Heyington Avenue bridge The new bridge will be straightened and widened featuring improved pavements and landscaping to create a better experience for bike riders and pedestrians using the Koonung Creek Trail We’re speaking with regular bridge users about how we manage any potential disruptions in this area and we’ll share more details closer to bridge works starting We're building a small channel to let Koonung Creek flow under part of the new freeway lanes we’ll be working to install the channel between Sweyn Street in Balwyn North and the Valda Wetlands in Mont Albert North This will involve diverting the Koonung Creek Trail around work areas and constructing the new Koonung Creek Trail and noise walls We’ll be out talking to local residents about these works in the coming months To support construction in the Valda Wetlands we’ll set up a work site on Elgar Park’s north-west oval for worker facilities We expect to begin setting up the work site in early 2024 We’ll dig up a small section of the oval to create temporary flood storage while the wetlands are built We’ll also construct hard surfaces for storing large machinery and equipment needed for the construction of the Heyington Avenue bridge and new noise walls The Elgar Park north-west oval will be restored to a playable surface once construction is complete and our work site is removed We'd like to hear your feedback on our proposed use of the Elgar Park north-west oval We’ll use this information to help shape the upcoming Construction Compound Plan that will help manage impacts to the surrounding residents You can give feedback or arrange a time to speak to a member of the project team by contacting us on 1800 105 105 or by email to contact@bigbuild.vic.gov.au We’re continuing site investigations along the Eastern Freeway and in surrounding areas between Burke Road and Middleborough Road to further inform our design We’ll be surveying bridges and other structures checking the location of underground services and assessing ground conditions We’ll do this work at night on the freeway and on major arterials to keep traffic moving freely during the day To keep construction traffic off local streets we’ll build access points from the Eastern Freeway for heavy vehicles to access all three sites you’ll notice some construction traffic on Elgar Road and within the Elgar Park sporting precinct A few large deliveries will be made to site via Valda Avenue We’ll have worker parking available on-site to avoid the need for parking within Elgar Park and nearby streets We’ll also continue working with clubs in Elgar Park to schedule our vehicle movements outside of their peak-usage times and reduce impacts to local sports users as much as possible We’ll be carefully managing our works to consider local people and the environment by: While we aim to complete most of our works during the day some extended hours and night-time works may be required We’ll contact residents and businesses in the area to share more information as this occurs Join us at an information session: We'll be hosting information sessions about our project works in early 2024 Contact us: You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of the project team or to make an appointment to see us Sign up for updates: If you would like to receive SMS or email updates visit: www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/email-and-sms-updates A Mont Albert North, Melbourne offering has been listed with $2 million to $2.2 million by the sleep physician Andrew Kyoong and his wife Their house is set on the high side of Box Hill Crescent The five-bedroom, two-bathroom property has three separate living areas including a light-filled formal lounge with open fireplace There’s a stone-topped kitchen with a Bertazzoni oven and walk-in pantry The family living spaces open onto a poolside deck and undercover dining area surrounded by established gardens Justine Carlin of Jellis Craig Boroondara Group has it scheduled for February 25 auction 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 “House proud” late VFL umpire and archivist for the gay and lesbian community THE Mont Albert North home of late gay archivist and VFL boundary umpire Graham Carbery is set to go under the hammer next month was flung into the spotlight in 1980 when then-Essendon star Phil Carman headbutted him on the field The unprecedented incident resulted in Carman receiving a 20-week suspension said the umpire’s legacy was his foundation of the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives which has collected and preserved historical materials about LGBTIQ experience in Australia since 1978 Carbery’s home at 53 Kenmare St served as a base to work on and store the archives as the organisation’s headquarters “didn’t have enough space” Graham Carbery (centre) on the footy field with Essendon’s Simon Madden (left) and Phil Carman in 1980 Inside Carbery’s immaculate home of 19 years at 53 Kenmare St RELATED: Shane Warne buys new Brighton mansion Cricketer Peter Siddle calls stumps on Parkville investment Former AFL star’s company buys Melbourne shopping centre “He saw the archives as something future generations of gay people should have to know they’ve got a history,” Mr Jaynes said Carbery also regularly entertained members of the organisation family and neighbours at the single-storey three-bedroom house — which has been listed with a May 12 auction date and $1.3-$1.43 million price guide by Noel Jones Doncaster He put a lot of time and money into it,” Mr Jaynes said “His (three) bathrooms and kitchen were renovated in the last couple of years of his life — that was an indication of how important it was to him to make it an enjoyable place to live.” Adding to the enjoyment was the close-knit neighbourhood in which Carbery lived his partner said: “They had annual Christmas drinks … Graham was host to a number of those during his 19 years there.” Mr Jaynes said the home was “tailor-made” for entertaining These included an atrium with a retracting roof and Carbery’s favourite room in the house — the family room director Greg Bowring said the low maintenance home on a 489sq m block was zoned for Koonung Secondary College and Mont Albert Primary School Its single-level layout was also expected to appeal to downsizers with investors also likely to be in the mix samantha.landy@news.com.au 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. Melbourne’s a city of hole-in-the-wall cafes – ones you stumble upon during errands or seemingly (and thankfully) just when you’re in desperate need of a coffee The new cafe and corner store is in a sleepy suburban pocket of Mont Albert North in Melbourne’s east This isn’t the kind of place you randomly come across Jacinta Price – who’s worked in hospitality for nearly 20 years – opened it last year with mates Luke Pantalone and Andrew Carrazzo “I’ve travelled to France eight times,” Price says the decor – it’s something that’s really attracted me to [Paris] and I wanted to bring what I’ve seen and loved back to Melbourne.” the team designed the space and did the fit-out themselves Pantalone and Carrazzo are both in the trade industry and worked on the blue cabinetry bench tops and painting the whole building and her partner worked on the branding and signage At the front is a main counter whose glass cabinet is piled high with sandwiches and treats Batches of apple cinnamon scrolls and sweet and savoury scones are made fresh each morning with brownies and cakes (the hazelnut espresso cake is a bestseller) baked later in the day There’s a variety of bagels – egg and bacon and smoked salmon – alongside a classic ham-and-cheese toastie; the Matilda toastie vegan feta and onion jam; and a baguette of the day There’s also a trio of salads that changes daily All the sandwiches can be made gluten-free on request “I’m vegan and I really struggle to go anywhere and get good food good cakes all in one place – it’s usually something small or the usual you’ve already seen before,” Price says The rest of the cafe’s front room houses homewares from local makers such as Robert Gordon pottery, Make Scents of It candles, Emma Kate Co planners and food and drink products from Holy Crumpets Further into the space is the main dusty-blue dining room built by Price’s dad when she was five years old Here you can order from Matilda’s main menu which includes overnight oats with blackberry compote and coconut crumble; breakfast toast with soft-boiled eggs dukkah and cherry tomatoes; avocado with house-made chilli oil on sourdough; and the Take Me to Paris set washed down with fresh orange juice and Inglewood coffee There are also seats under a line of bright yellow umbrellas out front and occasional picnic spreads for the lawn on warm summer days matildamontalbert.com.au 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 most famous for being one of the city’s last dry areas is a family-friendly suburb in Melbourne’s leafy east and soon it will be turning on its autumnal charm Not as grand as Hawthorn or Camberwell, nor as busy as its nearest neighbour, Box Hill Mont Albert is just solid middle-class Melbourne with wide quiet “one of everything” shopping street where the 5000 residents connect has experienced significant housing pressure over the past 20 years zoning and heritage protection becoming volatile and divisive issues with a tram along Whitehorse Road and straddling zones 1 and 2 in the train system Its median house price almost trebled in the decade from 2005-2015 rising from $561,500 to $1.7 million and it’s only kept rising since It’s easy to see the appeal – and the passion behind residents’ determination to preserve those classic period-style streets First subdivided at the end of the 19th century Mont Albert’s big burst of growth was the early 20th century: its shopping centre was established in 1912; the progress association followed in 1914 and the first of the area’s now California bungalows was built in 1916 it is the maturing of these early foundations – and greenery – that gives Mont Albert its great appeal 72 Churchill Street is on a 2180-square-metre block with a tennis court and a huge front garden Formal living and dining rooms are at the front and an interconnected family room and meals area is at the back Auction at 1pm, on Saturday Jellis Craig 9810 5000, Geordie Dixon 0418 588 399 7a Lightfoot Street this double-storey family-size townhouse is part of the suburb’s new incarnation Period style and with two large living areas it has three bedrooms upstairs and a fourth (or study) downstairs Auction at 10.30am, on March 4 Marshall White 8862 4972, Grayson Rayner 0433 654 744 technology and Melbourne's first dedicated busway – slashing travel times and improving public transport with speeds now reduced to 80 km/h between Burke and Doncaster roads during the day and 40 km/h at night near work sites The new speed limit will be extended to Tram Road next year as major construction starts The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will stretch from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road and be delivered in three key stages We're starting with Burke to Tram roads first From mid-2025 we’ll start on the book-ends of this massive upgrade from Hoddle Street to Burke Road and Tram Road to Springvale Road the Eastern Freeway Upgrades will seamlessly connect to the new North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen Alongside the completion of the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough they'll slash travel times across the north east Sign up for more project updates at northeastlink.vic.gov.au extensive reinstatement works will return improved open space where it is needed to support construction designs for an upgraded Koonung Creek Reserve and a reconfigured 43,700m2 wetland precinct near Valda Avenue were exhibited for further community comment as part of the project design from Burke to Tram roads We'll keep working through designs and community feedback for new paths trees and plants ahead of major construction starting next year Located between Doncaster Road and Elgar Road the Valda Wetlands will be reconfigured once construction of the new Eastern Freeway express lanes new noise walls and new Heyington Avenue bridge are complete We’ll also be rebuilding Koonung Creek with improvements to better manage water flow and overall health As we deliver the Eastern Freeway Upgrades North East Link tunnels and Ring Road Completion more than 30,000 trees will be planted across Melbourne’s north and east More than 2500 trees have already been planted through our early tree planting program trees have been planted early at Hyde Park Our community engagement team will be out and about talking to people about works in their area and how we can support you during construction You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of the project team or to make an appointment to see us As we overhaul the Eastern Freeway from Burke to Tram roads we'll be building more than 11 km of new noise walls to meet Victoria's first 58 decibel night-time noise standard – making the Eastern Freeway noise standard the toughest in the state Speeds are now reduced to 80km/h during the day and 40km/h at night on the Eastern Freeway between Burke Road and Doncaster Road These changes will extend to Tram Road next year and help workers safely prepare for major works while keeping the freeway open to traffic This daytime speed limit will be in place until 2028 Safety barriers on both sides of the freeway and in the median will be installed We’ll also begin to prepare dedicated worker and truck access between the freeway and construction areas – helping to keep cars and trucks off local streets you’ll notice some lane and ramp closures at night Please check on- road signage for any changes to the way you travel We're building a new Bulleen Road to create the space needed to build the new Yarra Link Green Bridge and North East Link tunnel entrance There will be lane closures on Bulleen Road in November and December to complete these works For the latest details about this disruption visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au From late 2023 we’ll set up a major work site near Freeway Golf Course in Bulleen The area will support more than 200 workers who will move Bulleen Road and build the new interchange with the North East Link tunnels Drivers will notice reduced speed limits and lane closures at night on the Bulleen Road exit ramp as we install safety barriers and build dedicated access to the site for workers and trucks We know the Koonung Creek Trail is important to the local area and will be keeping it open during construction with a long-term detour in place We ask all path users to follow signs and directions We’re also working to keep the Estelle Street bridge over the Eastern Freeway open during construction From January 2024 we’ll start to close sections of Koonung Creek Reserve in Balwyn North for two construction areas About a third of the reserve will remain open during construction with the reserve reinstated with improvements afterwards The works areas will support over 1000 workers and be used to help build the new interchange with the North East Link tunnels and new walking and bike bridges at Estelle Street we’ve reduced the size of the construction areas needed and will be keeping trees along Kosciusko Road and Carron Street We’ll also keep as much of the vegetation as possible within the compound footprint These major work sites will include onsite car parking to keep construction traffic off local streets large timber fencing known as ‘hoarding’ will be installed around the construction areas We’ll be working with nearby residents to help choose designs for printed panels Works will be staged to return areas of the reserve to the community as soon as possible As we deliver this major overhaul of the Eastern Freeway we’ll be working to minimise disruptions for local residents owners of nearby properties will be offered a free property condition survey Property condition surveys are commonly carried out for major projects Although construction is not expected to affect properties Collingwood hall of famer Gavin Crosisca and wife Nicole are seeking renters for a Mont Albert North property Collingwood hall of famer Gavin Crosisca and wife Nicole are seeking renters for the family home that gave them a new lease on life The 1990 premiership star, who played 246 games for the Magpies, had a well publicised battle with drug and alcohol addiction before he bought 577 Elgar Rd, Mont Albert North six years ago The four-bedroom house is available for tenants from early December The kids have made great use of the front yard The property has been extensively fixed up since the Crosisca’s picked it up in 2013 Known affectionately as ‘Bagger’ for his uncompromising attitude on and off the field Crosisca was also an assistant coach at North Melbourne After his wife admitted him to a rehabilitation facility in 2012 Crosisca went public with his history of drug addiction throughout his playing career assists and educates those affected by addiction “With my past history of addiction and so forth that cost our family a lot,” Crosisca told Property Insiders “This was basically allowing us to get back into the housing market which was an awesome opportunity from where we were.” Both bathrooms and the second living area have been completely renovated The house has also been repainted internally had weatherboards replaced and extensive landscaping in the front garden “My wife has done a range of different things to the property to make it a really warm featuring synthetic grass and a basketball ring had become a central hub for the family’s three children Gavin Crosisca leaves Shane Crawford in his wake during a match in July Collingwood president Eddie McGuire (R) inducts Crosisca into the Collingwood Hall of Fame “It’s certainly been a gathering space for the kids – they’re always having groups of their friends over,” he said Fletchers Manningham director Tim Heavyside expected the house’s “exceptional” location near schools and Box Hill Central Shopping Centre to appeal to renters “This is a tastefully renovated property,” he said The house last sold for $615,000 in November 2013 Communities in Melbourne’s north east have another opportunity to benefit from a $10 million fund that is helping local groups and organisations during construction of the North East Link The next round of funding from the North East Community Fund is now open for applications supporting projects and community initiatives in areas that are most impacted by construction including Balwyn North Grants of up to $75,000 are available for projects and initiatives that benefit the local community while partnerships of up to $100,000 are also available The types of programs that can be supported range from art exhibitions initiatives to increase local participation Almost 100 projects and initiatives have been funded through the first tworounds of funding upgrades of shared outdoor spaces and scout hall improvements Community groups and organisations are encouraged to submit applications online at northeastlink.vic.gov.au/communityfund, with applications closing at 3pm Online grant writing workshops are also available to help people with applications The North East Community Fund is one of the many ways that the project will leave a lasting legacy on the communities closest to this major project Stay updated about North East Link with the key announcements and milestones We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway These changes will slash travel times and improve public transport in Melbourne’s east We’ll also connect the Eastern Freeway to the new North East Link tunnels in Bulleen – cutting travel time between Melbourne's north and east by 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks a day off local roads we’ll build new and upgraded walking and cycling paths upgrade Koonung Creek Reserve and Parklands revitalise wetlands and waterways and plant new trees and plants A tougher noise standard and new and upgraded noise walls will also deliver better noise protection for residents Construction is underway for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road New express lanes and upgraded lanes where they're needed most to ease congestion and cut travel times Fixing the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network A better noise standard of 63 decibels during the day and 58 decibels at night – a first for a road project in Victoria we’ll keep or upgrade existing concrete noise walls to reduce construction disruption Extensive reinstatement to return improved open spaces where it is needed to support construction To view the project design in detail, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/easternfreeway-upgrades 11km of dedicated bus lanes along the Eastern Freeway will slash travel times for more than 6 million trips a year The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will overhaul how one of Melbourne’s busiest freeways works Up to 180,000 vehicles a day rely on the Eastern Freeway travel speeds through the busiest sections from Chandler Highway to Middleborough Road can be as slow as 45km/h with some of the worst congestion around entry and exit ramps The upgraded Eastern Freeway will work smarter and faster the Eastern Busway and ramp upgrades will fix bottlenecks and keep traffic moving Peak hour travel speeds will increase from 45km/h to more than 85km/h The Eastern Freeway is the last freeway in Melbourne to have smart traffic management technology installed We’ll be adding overhead electronic signs vehicle sensors and CCTV cameras to better manage traffic flow and respond in real time more reliable journeys and less congestion Save up to 35 minutes and skip 18 sets of traffic lights between the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road No traffic lights between EastLink and Melbourne Airport - and avoid inner city traffic Eastern Freeway Upgrades and North East Link mean faster and more reliable travel times More than 16,000 pieces of community feedback since 2017 have shaped the project design for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades community input to the project’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) helped set stringent requirements which must be met for the project design We're now exhibiting Urban Design and Landscape Plans so local people can help refine local elements of the design in their area Designs for the connection to the North East Link tunnels and surrounding area were exhibited for feedback in 2022 Designs for the rest of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades: Burke to Tram were exhibited for feedback in 2023 Designs for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Hoddle Street to Burke Road and Tram Road to Springvale Road will be exhibited for feedback as we bring builders on board from 2025 You can read more on our website at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/ roads/eastern-freeway-upgrades/planning-and-approvals the project design now includes an extra 1.2 kilometres of upgrades to Koonung Creek Trail more trees and plants kept in Koonung Creek Reserve and more BBQ areas fitness stations and other improvements to Koonung Creek Reserve and Parklands noise walls and walking and cycling bridges and paths trees will need to be removed where we’re working including extensive planting to reinstate Koonung Creek Reserve and Valda Wetlands We’ve also started planting trees early in local places nearby including parks and reserves 10,000+ new trees will be planted for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road As we build the Eastern Freeway Upgrades, there will be major changes to lanes and travel speeds. Areas of Koonung Creek Reserve and Koonung Creek Parklands will also need to be used to support construction with detours in place for Koonung Creek Trail. To stay up to date on works in your area, sign up for updates at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/email-and-sms-updates The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will be delivered in stages and timed to open around the same time as the North East Link tunnels from Bulleen to Watsonia and the M80 Ring Road Completion from Watsonia to Greensborough For languages other than English please call 9209 0147 If you need assistance due to a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au • Triple street frontage via Mt Albert, Allendale and New North Roads • Approximately 150m walk to Mount Albert village and train station • Elevated position offering potential inner-harbour and city skyline views • High-growth location near Mount Albert Grammar School and key transport links The primary site, 12 Mt Albert Road, features a well-maintained 1920s-era, four -bedroom home set in park-like grounds, complete with a swimming pool and tennis court. This property can be purchased on its own. The additional combined 1,971sqm (more or less) landholding at 3 Allendale Road and 878 New North Road enhances the site’s development potential, offering approximately 22m of additional street frontage at Allendale Road and 17m at 878 New North Road. With intensification zoning and a strategic position near key transport, retail, and education hubs, this site provides developers with an outstanding opportunity to create a landmark residential project, capitalising on its elevation to capture stunning views. Opportunities of this scale and calibre are increasingly rare. For more information or to arrange a site inspection, contact us today. Once a bridesmaid, but now for many a first-choice location, it’s a distinct entity from its Box Hill and Box Hill South counterparts and has its own story to tell. The Eastern Freeway, which forms much of the suburb’s northern border, plays an important part in Box North’s differentiation, director Tim Heavyside, of Fletchers real estate agency, says. “There’s really easy access to the freeway, which makes a difference in desirability,” he says. “But what we’ve seen over the not too distant past is people priced out of Balwyn North, East Kew and Mont Albert saying, ‘We can find something much better in Box Hill North.’ It’s a lovely area with lots of amenity for families.” Box Hill North came later to the Melbourne party than Box Hill proper. Its built history mostly centres on the era from the 1940s to the 1960s. Before that, when the rest of Box Hill was being developed, it remained a redoubt of paddocks and market gardens. These days it retains many original houses on good-sized blocks, which are attractive both to lovers of mid-century design with renovation blueprints in hand and developers keen to add to the area’s growing townhouse population. Amenity abounds in the greater ’hood, with Box Hill Hospital and Westfield Doncaster in the area. The Koonung Creek Trial runs through remnant bushland alongside the Eastern Freeway and can take intrepid bicycle riders all the way into the city. Box Hill North’s median house price is $1.14 million (against $1.24 million in Box Hill South and $1.45 million in Box Hil), Domain’s latest House Price Report shows. with three good-sized bedrooms and open-plan living with meals zone There’s a covered al fresco deck and a courtyard out back For the kids you will discover a built-in cubby at the side of the home Demand for guarantor home loans on the rise as parents race to help children onto property ladder Villa Italia: The young couple turning a ’70s renovation into their dream home These are the cheapest suburbs to buy within 10km of Australia’s capital cities Agent: Jellis Craig, John Stack 0402 443 312 3 Baths1 ParkingView listing Nestled in a quiet pocket of the suburb this contemporary home has style and function On the ground floor are the kitchen and dining rooms and a study There is also the main suite with walk-in wardrobe and en suite Agent: Buxton, Jim Chen 0451 510 527 gay archivist Graham Carbery sells at auctionMikaela Day sold for $1.33 million under the hammer on Saturday A YOUNG Templestowe family gifted their mum one of the greatest Mother’s Day gifts of all — a new Mont Albert North home Three bidders competed for the keys of 53 Kenmare St — the three-bedroom three-bathroom home of late VFL boundary umpire and gay archivist Graham Carbery A crowd of 40 watched on as the young family were the first and last bidders of the “pretty house” in a “great location” near exclusive schools Boundary umpire Graham Carbery during the VFL game when Essendon player Phil Carman headbutted him RELATED: Late VFL umpire Graham Carbery’s house on auction block Architect’s Armadale home soars past $3 million at auction Buyers get savvy, as vendors get greedy, according to leading real estate agent Noel Jones auctioneer Daniel D’Assisi said the home was a lifestyle investment that offered “modern day luxury living in the finest pocket of the City of Whitehorse municipality” “The jewel of the crown is the fabulous central atrium with a retractable roof,” Mr D’Assisi said The home’s atrium that has a retractable roof Fifteen bids saw the price leap $50,000 past the $1.28 million reserve with Mr D’Assisi reminding everyone to keep their wives happy this Mother’s Day weekend “It’s a long drive home with an angry wife,” he said It was both an exciting and emotional day for the vendor Gary Jaynes Carbery became a household name in 1980 when then-Essendon player Phil Carmen headbutted the umpire Mr Jaynes said his partner’s legacy was the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives a foundation that has collected historical material about LGBTIQ experiences since 1978 “His (three) bathrooms and kitchen were renovated in the last couple of years of his life — that was an indication of how important it was to him to make it an enjoyable place to live.” SUBURB PROFILE: Mont Albert North This round of funding from the North East Community Fund supports projects in areas that are most impacted by construction Applications are invited from community organisations in Balwyn North Grants of up to $75,000 are available for equipment and initiatives that benefit the local community Up to $5000 for a participation equipment grant is available this round to support community participation in local sport More than 150 projects and initiatives have been funded through the first three rounds of funding Community groups and organisations have been encouraged to make submissions by 3:00pm Free online and in-person grant writing workshops are available to help people with applications More information about the North East Community Fund and how to apply can be found on the North East Community Fund webpage 4 Baths4 ParkingView listing Tucked between the beach and the village, this house is both glamorous and tech-savvy. Dark marble, timber and feature lighting create dramatic living spaces. Highlights include a plush main bedroom (with two en suites), a study, a wet bar, a pretty pool and home automation. Relax on the rooftop deck. “It’s an absolute entertainer’s paradise,” the agent says. 3 Baths4 ParkingView listing The striking retro design of this 1980s house shines through in a recent renovation. The living areas take centre stage with huge windows, a Cheminees Philippe fireplace and a generous kitchen with an army of upscale appliances. Summers will be idyllic with a pool, all-weather al fresco area, deck, gym and studio/study. It’s close to Eltham schools. 3 Baths3 ParkingView listing For those downsizing, this smart new ground-floor apartment may be a good transition. One of five, the apartment has a generous courtyard with a strong indoor-outdoor connection. A marble island bench takes pride of place in the living areas. Highlights include a fireplace, an inviting bath, luxe finishes and a study space. It’s close to High Street. 2 Baths3 ParkingView listing This endearing Edwardian residence has the space to let a family settle into blue-chip Camberwell for the long term. The central hall opens to four bedrooms and a lounge room. The rear family zone of kitchen, meals and sitting area is split-level, aligning with upper and lower north-facing decks. There’s an extra first-floor bedroom and a gym in the converted garage. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing The shared amenities that come with this property make it ideal “for someone whose lifestyle can’t fit into an apartment”, the agent says. A special-occasion kitchen and dining area, business centre, pool and gym are part of Caulfield Heath’s urban village; access is included in the owner’s corporation fees. This one-owner townhouse has its own entry, two courtyards and a main-bedroom balcony. 3 Baths2 ParkingView listing Mindful of its established neighbourhood, Wall Architects gave this three-year-old townhouse – one of six, each with street frontage – a modern, sophisticated presentation that carries through its split-level interior. “The marble kitchen is striking, but the overall tone is neutral, tasteful and not over-designed,” the agent says. Ground-level living spaces connect to a big garden. Three en-suite bedrooms and a lift are among its quality inclusions. Dandenong Ranges: Tree-changers are buying here for a ‘little mountain patch of their own’ The best homes for sale in Melbourne right now Essendon: The most bougie suburb in Melbourne’s west 3 Baths3 ParkingView listing The owners of this beautifully presented Edwardian home recommend a morning cuppa on the fretwork-trimmed return verandah and a sunset G&T on the romantic rear deck under a grapevine-draped pergola. Both retreats look out to elegant Ian Barker-designed gardens. There are bedrooms at the front and upstairs, a basement home theatre and a casual charm in two light-filled living areas. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing The Hawthorn-brick facade of this terrace house is quintessentially stately Victorian, but the interior can be anything a buyer desires. Its owners of 30 years have filled it with riotous colour and rustic character but a modern makeover could flip it to serene sophistication. Either way, the deep, lush block, ending in a lane-access garage and studio, is a huge asset on the CBD’s fringe. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing Parquetry floors and rich navy paintwork with white trim set the style at this renovated 1950s apartment. Oversized windows and a main-bedroom balcony catch the northern light and a leafy first-floor outlook. “It has lovely dimensions, a big kitchen, a wide hallway and windows on three sides,” the agent says. Walk to Carlisle Street shops and via Alma Park to lower Chapel Street. 4 Baths2 ParkingView listing A balconied facade and two side walls are carefully restored Victorian-era features of this prestigious property; everything else over four lift-accessed levels is “a phenomenal rebuild” that has taken years, the agent says. “It’s contemporary, with a sense of luxury and built to extraordinary standards,” she says. Stand-out features include a basement theatre and wine cellar, and striking natural materials and textures. 3 Baths1 ParkingView listing Perched on the Moyne River with its own jetty, this renovated house is in a sought-after spot. Inside, a contemporary rebuild delivers a smart kitchen, a family room with a wood fire and views through French doors to a deck and riverside lawn. A separate cottage is used as an Airbnb. Walk to the shops or the beach. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing There’s a definite designer edge to this coastal home surrounded by native gardens. Built in 2019 for a young family, the house has a sunny central living area. A wood heater warms in winter while the protected al fresco area is ready for summer. “It offers architectural excellence without having to pay Sorrento or Blairgowrie prices,” the agent says. 3 Baths3 ParkingView listing Backing onto woodland, this new house will appeal to families. The open-plan living zone has a feature fireplace, a well-equipped kitchen and sliding doors to a terrace. The self-contained studio/guest house in the nearby barn offers flexibility. Walk to a primary school. “It’s at the very end of a quiet country lane,” the agent says. These level crossings are 2 of Melbourne’s worst: the level crossing at Union Road was the site of a tragic incident in 2016 that resulted in 2 fatalities and there have been at least 8 near misses at these crossings since 2005 Major works ramped up at the start of this year and we’re on track to remove these dangerous level crossings in 2023 We’ve moved a huge number of critical utilities out of the way of the trench excavation and upgraded them at the same time water mains and drains in the local streets around the project means these critical services will need less maintenance in the future We’ve also started installing the first sections of the new Union Station Foundations are done for the first of the buildings and we'll start craning the prebuilt station modules into position in October we will continue building the trench walls and relocating utilities Our final major construction blitz will start early next year and by mid 2023 the 2 dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone for good and the new Union Station will be open The Stamp Me loyalty program is picking up speed as part of our ongoing trader support program residents and visitors have collected more than 13,000 stamps and redeemed over $35,000 shopping at Mont Albert Village and Union Road traders Users are able to collect stamps and use vouchers with the 47 participating local businesses at Mont Albert Village and Union Road – including professional services download the Stamp Me app and click the '+' icon to search for Mont Albert Village Traders and Union Road Surrey Hills The pieces are coming together at Surrey Hills and Mont Albert we're constructing the station buildings off-site so they can be delivered to site and craned into place The first buildings are arriving on site this month and will be installed in Lorne Parade Reserve before Christmas We’re implementing green initiatives at the new Union Station and sensor technology will ensure an eco-friendly station for years to come The station design aims to reduce carbon emissions by 141 tonnes per year This is equivalent to 47 cars off the road every year and approximately 68% more efficient than a building of the same size and shape 2 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings will be gone for good and the new Union Station will be open buses will replace trains on sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines from Friday 17 February to late May 2023 There will also be various road closures during this time Keep an eye on our website for more details we will finish off the station car parks and landscaping To receive updates on the works being carried out, sign up to our email updates To register for text message updates text 'UMA' to 0459 067 028 We’re also delivering one of the biggest tree planting programs for a major road project in Victoria The first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road will build new express lanes and bus lanes new walking and cycling paths and bridges and new noise walls to meet a better noise standard We’ll also connect the Eastern Freeway to the North East Link Tunnels at a new interchange in Bulleen – saving 35 minutes on a trip to the M80 Ring Road and taking 15,000 trucks off local roads a day areas of open space along the freeway will be needed to support construction and trees will need to be removed and replaced through new planting We’ve also started planting trees early in local streets will be planted for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road – returning improved open spaces where it is needed to support construction extensive reinstatement works include upgrades to reimagine parklands the number of trees and plants will be increased and new and upgraded walking and cycling paths and nature play areas built We’ll also be improving the health of the Koonung Creek and Yarra River system with a new dry creek bed to collect and clean stormwater The dry creek bed will run through the reserve and be planted with indigenous trees and plants – representing the past water course of Koonung Creek and enhancing this important wildlife corridor At Valda Wetlands we’ve improved the design of the freeway to create more space for trees and plants The wetlands will be reconfigured with new trees and Koonung Creek will be rebuilt with improvements to better manage water flow and overall health We’ll be planting indigenous trees and vegetation from local regions with works carefully staged to return open space to the public as soon as possible North East Link Tunnels and Ring Road Completion Minimising tree and vegetation removal is a priority for the project and there are strict environmental performance requirements and approvals in place We know trees are important to the local community and will be working hard to keep and protect as many trees as possible we’ve minimised the area needed for construction to protect trees along Kosciuszko Street and Carron Street We’ll also be working to keep as many of the existing concrete noise walls as possible to minimise tree removal including field studies and digital mapping are used to determine which trees need to be protected and which trees need to be replaced through new planting we will be working with qualified ecologists and arborists to plan and manage how works will take place To ensure trees and vegetation are correctly identified – and protected where possible – a rigorous process of fencing flagging and final review by an expert arborist occurs before works start Regular inspections are also undertaken by an Independent Environmental Auditor Extensive field surveys will help identify animals that will need to be re-homed qualified ecologists and animal handlers will find and safely move animals to a similar habitat nearby Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format. If you need assistance because of a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au This information is current at the time of publication, however changes may occur. Please visit our website for the latest updates Stay updated about the North East Link Program with the key announcements and milestones Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Five bidders were keen to land the two-level A local investor has reaped a 35 per cent increase on two shops bought 15 months ago The identical shops at 2A and 2B Milne Road transacted for $800,000 in late 2015 and sold again last week for $1.08 million "The increased demand from owner-occupiers triggered the significant jump in value," he said A new owner-occupier has been found for 44 Alexandra Parade purchasing a pair of Allison Monkhouse Funeral Homes in Frankston and Mornington One at 362-364 Nepean Highway sold for $3.7 million to an owner-occupier The other at 102 Strachans Road in Mornington on a land area of 2357sq m was snapped up by a developer for $2.8 million John Nockles and Ian Angelico from CVA said freehold shop at 17 Glenferrie Road sold with vacant possession Teska Carson's Tom Maule and Adrian Boutsakis said the area was tightly held with the owner having purchased 30 years ago "Properties on the market within this precinct always attract a high level of interest from a broad range of buyers and this was no exception," Mr Maule said Lawson Real Estate's Mark Spigelman negotiated the sale of three office buildings at 7 8 and 9 Business Park Drive for a total value of $3.85 million a land rate of about 2500 per square metre Low interest rates continue to spur demand for properties in the south-east A local private investor paid $2.97 million for a new office warehouse at 74 East Derrimut Crescent The 2686sq m building is leased on a six-year basis at a net annual rental of $160,000 The sale price reflected a yield of 5.3 per cent Knight Frank's Joel Davy and Gab Pascuzzi said An owner-occupier has snapped up one of the last remaining development sites in Laverton North The 5784sq m site at 46-52 Hume Road went for $1,214,640 Joel Davy from Knight Frank said the land had a lot of interest but was secured by a private buyer Owner-occupiers have also featured prominently in Clifton Hill Savills Australia's Julian Heatherich and Jesse Radisich said a property at 44 Alexandra Parade sold for $910,000 "This is the third property we have sold to an owner-occupier in the last few weeks underlining just how strong the current owner-occupier market is," Mr Heatherich said sold for $520,000 in a record-setting deal for the area The shop was leased until 2018 with an option to extend Developers continue to target the city fringe Gross Waddell's Andrew Thorburn and Andrew Waddell sold a warehouse at 513-521 Victoria Street for $3.672 million The property was sold with approved plans and permit for 26 apartments and one retail shop in a hotly contested auction A corner shop near the railway station at 200 Canterbury Road sold to a local investor keen to get into the market for $885,000 The price reflects a yield of 2.78 per cent The property was leased to a homewares business on a new three-year lease Expanding business Allison Monkhouse has taken over ANZ's 650sq m office tenancy at 700 Springvale Road on a five-year lease The funeral director will occupy level two of the stand-alone five-level building where a refurbishment was completed in July last year Rob Joyes and Travis Myerscough negotiated the deal at $340 per square metre on behalf of Prime Value Natural Flooring Concepts has taken up a 1913sq m office/warehouse lease in Dandenong South Michael Burne negotiated the five-year term at $80 per square metre on behalf of Equaland has leased a 150sq m space at 113 Chapel Street The property was leased on a six-year basis at a rate of $1000 per square metre The deal saw a 70 per cent uplift in rental from the previous deal done only three years ago Mornington- based Nichols Crowder agency has formed an alliance with Kevin Wright Real Estate taking over Wright's property management business Wright will retain its sales and leasing divisions Nichols Crowder's Richard Wraith said the alliance adds to the "thousands of commercial and industrial properties we currently manage allowing us to offer more efficient services to landlords and tenants" Submissions to sjohanson@fairfaxmedia.com.au \\\"The increased demand from owner-occupiers triggered the significant jump in value,\\\" he said Teska Carson's Tom Maule and Adrian Boutsakis said the area was tightly held with the owner having purchased 30 years ago \\\"Properties on the market within this precinct always attract a high level of interest from a broad range of buyers and this was no exception,\\\" Mr Maule said Lawson Real Estate's Mark Spigelman negotiated the sale of three office buildings at 7 Knight Frank's Joel Davy and Gab Pascuzzi said \\\"This is the third property we have sold to an owner-occupier in the last few weeks underlining just how strong the current owner-occupier market is,\\\" Mr Heatherich said Gross Waddell's Andrew Thorburn and Andrew Waddell sold a warehouse at 513-521 Victoria Street for $3.672 million Expanding business Allison Monkhouse has taken over ANZ's 650sq m office tenancy at 700 Springvale Road on a five-year lease taking over Wright's property management business Nichols Crowder's Richard Wraith said the alliance adds to the \\\"thousands of commercial and industrial properties we currently manage allowing us to offer more efficient services to landlords and tenants\\\" Tina Arena is one of many well-known Melburnians to live in Toorak leafy east and coolest inner-city postcodes have become magnets for celebrities with famous faces regularly buying and selling in these appealing regions the suburbs continue to draw in AFL stars to musicians and media personalities to business bigwigs RELATED: What Melburnians want most in their neighbourhood Why $40m mansion owners want you to visit The Herald Sun has uncovered the suburb hot spots where you’re most likely to run into a celebrity from Brighton to Collingwood and in between Tones and I has recently bought two Mt Eliza homes The Mornington Peninsula has become a hot spot for the rich and famous with its multimillion-dollar clifftop mansions attracting celebrities business titans and sporting greats – who seldom ever part with their pricey pads Pop star Tones and I has become one of the area’s most notable purchasers, collecting two luxury Mt Eliza houses priced at $5.1m and $7.08m for her extensive property portfolio Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is building a slick $5m getaway in Portsea with plans for a bowling alley and games room on a block he bought for $3.6m in October last year Nearby, former Australian test cricket captain Ricky Ponting and wife Rianna splashed $3.51m on a luxury 1068sq m home away from home in 2019 Ricky and Rianna Ponting Picture: Tim Carrafa Ricky Ponting bought this Portsea pad in 2019 This year, Melbourne personality and Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan also snapped up an idyllic beachside abode in Somers Billionaire Lindsay Fox’s family compound – which the Linfox founder has been building for decades – spans several blocks a stretch of sand on Portsea’s beachfront and has space for a helicopter Lindsay Fox is “part of the furniture” in Portsea Comedians like Ross Noble, who sold in Mt Eliza in 2009 for $2.725m to shift to a larger Peninsula property whose St Andrews Beach property boasts an infinity pool and a golf simulator Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty managing director Rob Curtain said “old Portsea” families like the Foxes were “part of the furniture” in the prestigious suburb And while most resident celebs had frequented the region for years others had been encouraged to buy since the pandemic began James Pattinson bought in Blairgowrie this year Max Gawn has also recently made a sea change Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images “Portsea is the Toorak of the Peninsula,” Mr Curtain added “But Covid has made the entire area more desirable There’s a lot of generational wealth where people are buying with absolutely no plan of selling and prices are becoming secondary to trying to secure that lifestyle.” He said Sorrento Hotel was the place to “bump into a celebrity” Bec Judd has shared her Brighton reno on Instagram Shane Crawford is selling his 44 St Andrews St From the opulent mega-mansions of Brighton to the ocean views and beachy lifestyle of Sandringham it’s no wonder the Bayside region is a hit with some of our biggest sports stars AFL royalty Chris and Bec Judd are Brighton’s most notable residents, purchasing a rundown Spanish colonial property for $7.3m in 2019 and transforming it into an ultra-luxurious home with a pool and a tennis court Former Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford recently listed his grand Victorian abode in the suburb with a $9m-$9.9m price guide And Shane Warne and Simone Callahan called the suburb home for decades, moving between multimillion-dollar homes, including a bluestone mansion on Middle Crescent the spin king sold for $18,888,888 in 2018. Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson was a longtime Brighton resident Bianca Chatfield is a new Bayside resident Meanwhile champion netballer-turned-commentator Bianca Chatfield also bought by the sea this year spending “a bit more” than the townhouse’s $1m-$1.1m price guide Veteran Channel 10 weatherman Mike Larkan has also lived in the area for 25 years Marshall White Bayside director Matthew Pillios said the star-studded ‘burbs were loved for their “extremely intimate” lifestyle “The privacy and safety are two key words I hear when dealing with high-profile clients,” Mr Pillios said “There are a lot of good sized blocks for people to have their own compounds and havens they can be creative with tennis courts and basements and backyards There’s room to enjoy with their kids and families … and it gives them that sense of community.” A stack of celebs have bought into Tim Gurner’s Saint Moritz development in St Kilda it’s not uncommon to spot a high-profile personality dining at a cafe or walking along a beach in a trendy inner suburb Essendon legend Tim Watson recently sold his long-time residence in Albert Park for more than $3.3m while son Jobe has called nearby Middle Park home since 2018 In St Kilda, Warnie and Sam Newman have a stake in the ritzy Saint Moritz apartment complex That’s also where former Domain boss Antony Catalano purchased a glamorous penthouse for about $30m Jimmy and Nadia Bartel’s old house in St Kilda West Jimmy and Nadia Bartel once walked the leafy streets of St Kilda West, before selling the family home on Mary St for $3.915m last year Much-loved Aussie actor and artist power couple Asher Keddie and Vincent Fantauzzo sold in Elwood last year banking about $2.795m for the Milton St pad Kath and Kim star Jane Turner pulled her Elwood mansion from the market and decided to stay in the suburb amid the pandemic Cricket young gun Will Pukovski and author Jane Harper also live in the postcode Asher Keddie and her husband Vincent Fantauzzo sold in Elwood In nearby Richmond, Hamish Blake and wife Zoe Foster-Blake famously broke the suburb record when they traded in their Rowena Parade pad for $7.435m to move to Sydney Best mate and co-star Andy Lee also resides in a slick converted warehouse in the suburb Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott bought his first home in Collingwood in 2018 Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake sold this house for a Richmond record Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake moved to Sydney Melbourne’s business elite unsurprisingly favour Melbourne’s leafy inner east and southeast Kew is famously home to the Pratt family’s Raheen compound. But Toorak in particular is packed with wealth and fame being home to the mansions of trucking magnate Lindsay Fox Chadstone Shopping Centre part-owner John Gandel former Essendon Football Club chairman Paul Little retailer Solomon Lew – and the list goes on ARIA Hall of Famer Tina Arena decided to stay in the ritzy postcode by pulling her $7m home from the market earlier this year And Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, offloaded his apartment there for $2m – to his parents Live Nation Australasia chairman Michael Coppel and international businessman Mark Healey have turned heads by listing incredible homes in the suburb Dannii Minogue is a famous resident of nearby Hawthorn East, having sold her home of a decade there for $2.56m in 2019, and bought a stylish new house nearby earlier this year Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe sold his Toorak apartment to his parents Dannii Minogue is a long-time Hawthorn East resident Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon and former Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour are among Hawthorn’s best-known locals. The latter recently sold his mansion, Invergowrie for $40.5m to scientific and medical supplies tycoons Stephen and Anjelica Tomisich but still owns a $16m-plus Kinkora Rd mansion Ahmed Fahour has sold Hawthorn mansion Invergowrie for $40.5m Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images for Cricket Australia And former tennis player Sam Groth recently shifted to Mont Albert North The northwest has been home to a line up of sports stars from jockeys who want to be close to Flemington Race Course to footballers sticking by their home grounds Trent Cotchin sold in Strathmore for more than $4m Alexkarbon North Melbourne director Charles Bongiovanni said the area was filled with AFL homeowners past and present from North Melbourne Last year, retired Roos Scott Thompson sold his Ascot Vale shop conversion as Drew Petrie also handballed his family’s Strathmore dream home for a move to WA who’s brokered several deals for footballers over the years said AFL clubs and management “encourage them” to invest and buy property “Generally they all rent together at the start until they find their feet,” he added alanah.frost@news.com.au An animal clinic in Greensborough is training more volunteers thanks to a community grant from the North East Community Fund which rehomed more than 1200 cats last year and reunited another 100 cats with their owners was a successful applicant in a recent round of the $10 million dollar fund that is helping local groups and organisations during construction of the North East Link Volunteer Georgie Marinucci said the organisation is important for the local community “We obviously love helping these beautiful little critters every day but we’re also helping people as well,” said Georgie “This training and recruitment project is about making sure our current volunteers are well trained and really engaged in their roles here and have everything they need to do their roles efficiently and effectively.” The Cat Protection Society is among more than 150 projects and initiatives that have been funded through the first three rounds of funding It comes as applications are now open for the new round of the North East Community Fund and community groups and organisations have been encouraged to make submissions by 3:00pm The fund supports projects in areas that are most impacted by construction Online and in-person grant writing workshops are available to help people with applications More information about the North East Community Fund and how to apply can be found at https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/north-east-link/community/necf Before we remove the Union Road level crossing in Surrey Hills we’re undertaking another kind of dig to understand the history of the area where we are working The far eastern end of the northern Surrey Hills car park was formerly home to the Station Master’s house When the third rail line was added to the train line in 1971 the Station Master’s house was removed and replaced by a station car park The archaeological dig at the former site of the Station Master’s house will establish whether there are any items of local heritage significance that remain underground Local history is an important consideration for all level crossing removal projects and it is important to us that we undertake these investigations as part of our work The project team are working closely with Heritage Victoria local councils and the local community groups as part of the process The site also provides an exciting opportunity for the local community to learn more about the area’s history the historic palm tree that remains in the northern car park will be preserved – with the tree being transported to another site during construction and returned to the local area after the project is completed Works are now well underway to remove the 2 dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road and Mont Albert by lowering the rail line into an open trench beneath the roads A new premium station will also be built between Surrey Hills and Mont Albert as well a new station car park with an improved layout The Bulleen Templestowe Football Club is looking sharper than ever proudly unveiling brand-new goal post padding funded through the North East Community Fund Club President Greg Chivers said the new pads have brought a fresh energy to the club and even helped the players kick straighter and it just wasn’t fitting for what we’re about — which is looking sharp,” said Greg and we’re very grateful and appreciative as it’s really jazzed up the place.” The new goal post pads made their debut at training in April and were unveiled at the club’s first home game “That game was just a real community day with old friends and new friends catching up and everyone was just saying how good they looked,” said Greg “We made sure everyone knew it was thanks to the North East Community Fund.” The Bulleen Templestowe Football Club has a proud history celebrating 50 years of community football last year before joining the Eastern Football Netball League to expand opportunities and grow its strong community base “It was locals who started a junior club initially Now moving to a new league is all about bringing more people to the game “Our reserve is really a community hub and now the new pads are part of that pride too,” said Greg “It’s great to have goal post padding that matches the energy and spirit of our club and community.” Applications were recently invited  from community organisations in Balwyn North Find out more about the North East Community Fund. Melbourne's most expensive home reported over the weekend was sold pre-auction at Balwyn The property at 66 Gordon St, Balwyn was sold for $4.8 million through James Huang of Phillip Webb Doncaster The six bedroom contemporary home last traded for $3.3 million in 2009 The French provincial residence sits on a 724 sqm block on one of Balwyn's most exclusive streets a short walk to transport and numerous prestigious schooling options manicured gardens and a sandstone courtyard accompanied by an alfresco deck and pool The finishes include a timber and iron staircase Balwyn sits third among the 87 suburbs in Melbourne that had a median house price in excess of a million dollars in September quarter 2015 North East Link and connecting M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are delivering one of the largest tree planting programs for a major transport project in Victoria For every tree removed at least 2 will be planted More than 30,000 trees will be planted along and near each project keeping new trees as close as possible to where they have been removed Trees will also be planted to shade and cool local places nearby like parks nature reserves and walking and cycling paths – and work has started early more than 2500 trees have been planted in close to 20 suburbs the M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades will also contribute to growing back more cover from tree canopy than is removed with trees to be planted across Melbourne’s north east are expected to be removed to build North East Link the M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades as well as up to 52 hectares of native vegetation Minimising tree and vegetation removal is a major priority and each project is being carefully planned designed and managed to keep as many trees as possible This includes minimising areas needed for construction and putting plans in place to protect trees that can be kept in or near work sites A comprehensive assessment will be done to confirm the location and number of trees to be removed so they can be replaced through new planting either in the same location or nearby We’re also working to increase the number of significant trees and plants supporting the local community through grants and vouchers and helping green local gardens for people living near construction areas 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 3AW Drive has uncovered footage of yet another terrifying aggravated burglary in Melbourne The vision shows five youths jumping the back fence of a house on Barloa Road in Mont Albert before being scared off after hearing yelling over the property’s CCTV intercom told Jacqui Felgate he had to increase security on his property as a result of crime increasing in the area Click PLAY to hear Frank’s account of what happened  “I don’t think I can repeat what I said (over the intercom to scare the robbers away),” he said on 3AW “They just ran away as quickly as they possibly could (The crime is) rampant and it’s frightening.” Toorak is the most expensive locality in Victoria to purchase a property The median price for a property in Toorak is around $4 million This is followed by Malvern with $3.1 million and Canterbury with $3 million The least expensive place is Preston with an average median of $1 million * denotes less than 30 sales in the quarter Thirteen buyers registered to bid on 2/103 Dunsterville Crescent in the hopes of transforming it from a knock-down deceased estate into a new build. It was one of 54 auctions scheduled in Melbourne on Saturday. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 61.1 per cent from 18 reported results, while 7 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. In the first week since private inspections were allowed again after a hiatus for the stage-four lockdown, pent-up demand from buyers was strong. Five active bidders fought it out for the Frankston block The price rose fast in increments from $8000 down to $500 After about 20 minutes the virtual hammer fell at $245,000 Victorian auctions: First-home buyer snaps up Geelong family home for $912,500 Victorian auctions: Melbourne first-home buyer snaps up Geelong townhouse for $546,000 Melbourne auctions: Mont Albert North home in need of renovation fetches $1.17m in scant auction weekend “It does show some very, very good strength in the market,” Ray White Frankston listing agent George Devic said. “There are a large amount of buyers out there looking to purchase.” He said the home, set on a 401-square-metre block, was sold fire damaged and uninhabitable, and would require demolition. Most interested parties were builders, developers or owner-occupiers looking to rebuild, although an investor won the keys and aims to build a home on the site to add to his portfolio. Elsewhere, a renovated house in Heidelberg Heights fetched $1,415,000 under the hammer. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing The home at 79 Edwin Street was listed with hopes of $1.25 million to $1.35 million and the reserve was set at the top end of the range The stylish three-bedroom home drew three bidders and sold to a young professional couple, Nelson Alexander Ivanhoe selling agent Liz Walker said. “It was highly sought after even when we were trying to sell it virtually,” she said. Although 40 people had done a virtual inspection, Ms Walker was grateful to be able to offer in-person tours this week. The sellers had decided to move to the Mornington Peninsula and work from home. She also sold a renovated Ivanhoe unit for $1,120,000 to another young professional couple. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing Two bidders competed for the three-bedroom home at 5/44 Locksley Road, which had a reserve of $1.07 million. It was listed with a $1 million to $1.1 million guide. “We are finding there is a huge backlog of people wanting to come and look at property at the moment,” she said. “And we also have got a number of sellers who have been patiently waiting.” In Ringwood, a two-bedroom unit sold prior to auction after a rush of in-person inspections once the rules changed. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing The home at 2/12 Arlington Street was listed with a guide of $490,000 to $539,000 during lockdown when it would stand out as few other homes were for sale At first, buyers watched a virtual tour streamed from the vendor’s mobile phone. Then 24 inspections were conducted on Monday and Tuesday, with 10 parties making offers prior to an auction planned for October 10, Ray White Forest Hill selling agent Hugh Francis said. Although most of the interest was from first-home buyers, a downsizer snapped it up on Tuesday for $595,000, he said. “We launched the property when there was basically nothing in competition,” he said. “I was getting lots of enquiries because there was no supply.” Property remains sought after in Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs with school catchment zones, parks and local amenities offering the ultimate combination for a quality family lifestyle. Whilst eye-catching architecture and leafy tree-lined streets are a major drawcard in the inner eastern suburb of Balwyn This particular block of land measured approximately 817 square metres and sold at auction for an astounding $2.65 million a clean slate on which families can build their dream home is an attractive proposition as the costs of sending a child to a private school has grown the freedom to choose where their children are educated appears to be a major factor behind their final purchasing decision As buyers realise the suburb’s potential and property prices increase some families are going to need to look elsewhere if they want to move to the inner east so it’s a top spot for buyers who are prepared to do some work to create their dream property As demand for top schooling remains strong and interest rates remain low, families will continue to look for land in Melbourne’s inner east. But buyers, especially young professionals, should consider the suburbs that surround hot suburbs like Balwyn can still provide excellent value for money as well as a long-term home for the next twenty years Unnamed property experts declared Fitzroy "the next Toorak" in weekend Fairfax Media silliness It was off the back of house price growth on Melbourne's north outpacing the south by 9.7% in the past five years "It is now more expensive to buy a home in Fitzroy than Windsor and Prahran," according to the news report But of course, Windsor and Prahran aren't Toorak The city's most expensive suburb remains Toorak with a median house price of $2,430,000 in the March quarter – down from $2,875,000 in the December quarter However, it was still above second place which was East Melbourne's $2,242,000 with a handful of mansion sales Fitzroy North's median house was $1,135,000 And it's poorer cousin Fitzroy had a $1.08 million house median Parkville seems to outrank the near suburbs from the other side of Nicholson Street The nine reasons Fitzroy/Fitzroy North will not be the next Toorak "Million-dollar suburbs smash north-south divide" alluded to something significant occurring within the systemic divide And it has since come to light, from at least one of the unnamed experts, that they actually agree Fitzroy won't be Toorak. They were told "Fitzroy North becoming the Toorak of the north" Aerial photo of Fitzroy courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons • First look: Jason Jones and Brahman Perera’s hotly anticipated Hopper Joint is here • First look: Three Warabi alums bring kappo-style omakase to Fitzroy’s Shusai Mijo • First look: Melbourne’s American sandwich craze and the internet’s NFT obsession meet at Nouns in Malvern • First look: Wild ferments and punchy Thai dishes at Mr West’s new Brunswick outpost, Bar Spontana • First look: Sydney success story Little Lagos brings Nigerian fufu “puff puff” doughnuts and jollof rice to Fitzroy • First look: A Japanese shaved-ice spin on crème brûlée (and mango lassi) at Sebastian Kakigori • First look: Footscray’s Misfits champions art and music in the former Baby Snakes space • First look: Clifton Hill cafe Tarda • First look: Petite by Matilda is a charming neighbourhood spot in Mont Albert North • First look: It’s pure Brewmanity at former Demons captain David Neitz’s rooftop bar • First look: Richmond favourite Hugo’s Deli brings its standout sangas to the Mornington Peninsula • First look: Arlo is the eye-catching younger sibling to south-side cafe Leaps and Bounds • South Melbourne’s ambitious new European diner Lucia from the team behind Riserva and Baia dI Vino has an underground dining room fit for a Bond villain • Norma a French chef’s Fitzroy bistro dedicated to his nonna • Mister Bianco’s Kew bar, Bianchetto has Sicilian snacks and cocktails by Orlando Marzo • Adelaide’s Pirate Life Brewing opens its first Victorian taproom in South Melbourne Although they’re believed to be related to the kaak most agree that bagels as we know them originated in Poland in the 16th century – a byproduct of the prominent Jewish population there they headed westward – first to the beigel shops of London then onwards to the bakeries and delis of New York City But it took a little while for the NYC-style bagel (and its smaller and sweeter cousin the Montreal-style bagel) to reach our shores in large quantities we have Glick’s to thank for popularising the bagel The family-run bakery chain has been a favourite of the city's Jewish community and bagel lovers alike for more than 40 years But we’ve seen an explosion of excellent bagel-based businesses more recently – and they’re selling every style and topping imaginable The finest sourdough in Melbourne? Attica and Cumulus Inc. certainly seem to think so Baker Mike Russell – who also happens to make a stellar bagel – has worked in some of Sydney and Melbourne's most iconic bakeries The bagelry that started it all in Melbourne This family-run chain has been a favourite of Melbourne’s Jewish community and bagel lovers alike for more than 40 years dark rye and sesame bagels may lean traditional Consider the Hippie Slicker – a seedy bagel with turmeric roasted cauliflower 18-hour boiled bagels come in eight different varieties: plain Go for something simple – cream cheese or avocado filling or a housemade spread – or one of the more substantial “sandwich fillings” Montreal-style rings from a huge wood-fired oven They aren’t radically different to the New York-style bagels commonly found in Melbourne sweeter rings comfortably hold their own against the old-school There are no airs or graces at this family-run operation Its two cafes – in Carnegie and Mentone – each offer a fast convenient place to grab a quality bagel with an Allpress coffee It’s no surprise they were inspired by New York’s simple bagel shops or a cannoli-inspired ricotta and strawberry number At this reborn butcher's shop on a sunny Pascoe Vale corner Borrowing its name from a favourite Breaking Bad character this spot serves up fresh bagels inspired by New York City Load yours with classic fillings like cream cheese and house-made jam or mix it up with beetroot-and-gin-cured salmon or harissa-roasted pumpkin From the duo behind Moorabin’s neighbourhood go-to Comma Food & Wine this hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop offers not-so-classic bagels topped with luxe ingredients locally roasted Allpress coffee for a quick takeaway fluffy bagels here are named after the Big Apple’s five boroughs New York-style open bagels in a cosy setting inspired by the bagel shops of East London you’ll feel instantly at home thanks to the eclectic vintage decor and Melbourne-roasted coffee A retired AFL player joined forces with his former barista – and a few of his old Collingwood teammates – to open this retro sandwich and bagel joint converted milk bar with the red and white branding There are a variety of bagels to choose from at this French-leaning milk bar: egg and bacon and smoked salmon – alongside classic ham-and-cheese toasties and a baguette of the day This homage to New York’s Bowery subway station is set up to transport you to an all-American destination combining the industrial feel of a subway and the efficiency of an American canteen Watch the bakers in action at this queue-worthy bakery where creative croissants are made over three days new restaurants open virtually every day of the year The restaurants shaping Melbourne’s culinary scene