Mount Martha has just sold for a whopping seven-figure sum A Mount Martha beach box’s new owner has splashed a massive $1m to secure the shack setting what is believed to be a new Victorian record outside of Portsea The 26 South Beach address sold for six figures above its $650,000-$700,000 asking range in a boardroom auction that lasted about two hours Danckert Real Estate director Alex Corradi said although there were occasional reports that beach boxes at nearby Portsea had changed hands for $1m RELATED: Portsea beach shack sells for $950,000 Blairgowrie boat shed in owners family for more than 60 years sells for record price 43 Aussie suburbs where you can buy a home for under $400k Last year a Portsea boat shed featuring a small kitchenette did sell for $950,000 with the listing held by Kay & Burton director Liz Jensen a Blairgowrie boat shed fetched $900,000 in a campaign managed by Belle Property Blairgowrie’s Mal McInnes Mr Corradi said the Mount Martha beach box was sought after because it was on a private and protected part of the sand – close to houses worth $20m or so that sit above that particular shoreline stretch The beach box sold at a competitive auction that lasted two hours the more expensive they (beach boxes) tend to be,” Mr Corradi said Although his phone was “running hot” after the listing went up last week “We had to two bidders who wanted it at that price point who kept going,” he said “It’s really exciting to see how beach boxes are becoming an extension of people’s luxury homes MORE: Airbnb owner says influencer ‘devalued’ their home No kitchen, no toilet but could this $490k church be your next home?The beach box’s new owner is a Mornington Peninsula local Mr Corradi said that Mount Martha was fast becoming “the new Portsea” as more people moved there attracted by its proximity to Melbourne and amenities such as shops and cafes “A lot of people from Portsea and Sorrento have been moving to Mount Martha in the past three or four years.” he said The beach box is one of just dozens on Mt Martha beach Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association president Peter Clarke said that most of the boxes sold for between $300,000 to $500,000 “Anything above the half a million mark is seen as a very good outcome and a sort of outlier,” Mr Clarke said He said beach box buyers did not purchase the shacks as property investments but rather a handy spot to keep water-related equipment Although beach boxes were often passed down through families nowadays it was becoming more common for them to be listed for sale Last year a boat shed in Portsea sold for $950,000 Inside the Portsea boat shed at 23 Shelly Beach Beach boxes are usually located on council or government-owned land and owners are issued with a license to use them And sleeping overnight in a Victorian beach box is against the law Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Mansion with ‘James Bond’ garage, nightclub whisky bar up for sale for $36m-$39m Mt Martha: Cambio Al Mar mansion offers a sea-change opposite The Pillars swim spot ‘Wouldn’t get this anywhere else’: Own a slice of Great Australian Bight 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. 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 The victim of a terrifying attempted aggravated burglary in Mount Martha last night has delivered a powerful message to Premier Jacinta Allan after her experience Four masked and hooded offenders tried to break into a car outside the house before Jess and her husband chased them off in the early hours of the morning And 3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate asked Jess what she would say to the Premier if she was listening in Press PLAY to hear her powerful message to the Premier “We can’t live like this,” an emotional Jess said Felgate also had some strong comments to start her program and revisited the interview she did with Jacinta Allan one month ago after the announcement of the tougher bail laws “I think what it shows is that the government’s much touted youth bail laws are nothing more than spin they are not the toughest in the country and they have failed,” the 3AW Drive host said Press PLAY to hear what Jacinta Allan had to say on the bail laws one month ago + Jacqui Felgate’s strong response “Nothing has changed … people are at their wits’ end with this The timber bathing at 26 South Beach, Mount Martha, sold for $1 million – a staggering $350,000 above the asking price. Described as a rare opportunity, the box has generous internal space with shelving “perfect for storing kayaks and paddle boards” and under-shed storage. About the size of a car space, what the box doesn’t have is electricity or running water, meaning it has no facilities, including no bathroom. As part of local council rules, owners are not allowed to live or rent out the bathing boxes. Alex Corradi of Danckert Real Estate said the price skyrocketed during a bidding war between five interested parties. “I knew there would be interest. They rarely come up in the southern end of the beach,” Corradi told Domain. He said the box was priced in line with market expectations, but “competition drove it up”. Brighton beach boxes: Who owns them and what do they cost? Rare 1930s boatshed in Tasmania’s Cornelian Bay is up for sale Beach box in Aspendale listed for $250,000 to $275,000 “It was a local seller and a local buyer. The vendor was hoping it would go to someone local.” Corradi said the beach box had been owned by the vendor for the past 10 years, a sale he had brokered earlier in his career. He said the owner was selling as they are at a “different stage of their life” and don’t access the beach box or beach as much as they would like. “They wanted to see it go to someone who would get regular use out of it,” he said. Corradi acknowledged the shed doesn’t have power or running water, but explained that the box was an “extension of people’s luxury homes”. He said properties at the southern end of Mount Martha village were in the range of “$20 million”. He added that the boxes are not only used for storing kayaks or paddleboards but for a family to use for outdoor dining at the beach. This is the first beach box to hit the market in the area in two to three years, he said. Corradi believes the sale marks the “highest published boat shed sale,” in Australia. 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 We’re excited to announce the opening of the Mornington Peninsula’s first dedicated Senior Exercise Park at Dunns Road Reserve this new park provides a safe and accessible space for seniors to stay active and connect with others in the community.  Delivered in partnership with the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) this park is all about supporting healthy ageing – offering a space where seniors can improve their fitness in a safe This new community asset was made possible through funding from Council’s Positive Ageing budget reinforcing our commitment to active ageing across the Peninsula.   The exercise park will complement the Hastings Foreshore seniors' exercise equipment, which is set to open in late March. Together, these initiatives align with the We All Belong Strategy, which focuses on creating inclusive spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Key features of the Dunns Road Senior Exercise Park:  Quotes attributable to Mayor and Briars Ward Councillor Anthony Marsh:  “This new exercise park is a fantastic addition to our community, giving seniors a safe and accessible space to stay active. We’re proud to be supporting active ageing on the Peninsula.”   Service centre and connection point operating hours and days vary by location. Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a burglary in Mount Martha on 10 April. It is believed an unknown offender has attended the Bradford Drive residence around 9:30am and gained entry to the house. A short time later the offender was confronted by the resident, where the offender has pulled out a weapon before fleeing the scene. Police have released images of a male they believe can assist with their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company. MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News. MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids. Play Duration: 11 minutes 39 seconds11m Brought to you by The Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Anthony Marsh says he is "definitely trying" to find a solution for the beloved Mt Martha honesty-box bakery shut down by council bureaucracy. Owner of Bread Box Baker Michelle Ball spoke to Ali Moore on Monday after she was told she would have to apply for an expensive permit to run her small business selling bread twice a week out of an honesty box in front of her home after a resident complaint about traffic.  Press play to hear Michelle's conversation on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne Drive, then hear the Mayor speak to Ali Moore on Tuesday, who said he would try to find a way to accommodate the business around council rules.  The Bread Box Baker in Mt Martha was asked to shut down after a complaint from a resident(Supplied: Bread Box Baker Instagram) Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Visitors to the Mornington Peninsula mansion Cambio Al Mar step into a dreamy sea-change reminiscent of Italy and the south of France The Mt Martha house’s Spanish name translates to “change to the sea’’ – which is fitting given its Port Phillip Bay views Mediterranean-inspired gardens planted with palm trees and the resort-style swimming pool and spa Set on 3304sq m, the home at 413-414 Esplanade is for sale with $17m-$18.5m price hopes RELATED: Simon Jefferson: Car sales king carving up huge Mornington Peninsula block Mornington Peninsula pad of THE LUME, van Gogh Live creator Bruce Peterson for sale Flinders: Classic beach house with panoramic views up for grabs If the residence sells for this amount it will almost double the suburb’s $9.5m house price record set by 1 Ian Rd in 2020 Marshall White Flinders and Mt Eliza director Stephen Baster says Cambio Al Mar’s location across from a popular local swimming spot known as the The Pillars is a highlight a terrace offers uninterrupted views across the water to the Melbourne city skyline “The balcony has a beautiful outlook over the pool and spa and a very impressive pool with a deck above it as well it’s a great place to hang out in summer,” Mr Baster said “You feel like you could be in the south of France or Italy.” Cambio Al Mar is set on a 3304sq m block which includes an in-ground trampoline … and an exterior view of the waterside spot the owners set about transforming the mansion in a process that took some 12 months “They have rebuilt the whole place and fully renovated,” Mr Baster said Automatic gates lead to the house where the main living and dining space has floor-to-ceiling doors that open to a curved balcony from where the guests can watch passing ships and sunsets Clerestory windows fitted with automated blinds temperature-controlled wine storage area feature inside a Falcon freestanding cooker and a butler’s pantry The flooring incorporates imported porcelain tiling bleached engineered oak and wool loop pile carpets a Falcon freestanding cooker and butler’s pantry In the main bedroom suite there’s a walk-in wardrobe dressing room and an ensuite with a freestanding stone bath Enjoy exercising or relaxing on the lower level with a games and media room rubber mat-floored gymnasium with floor-to-ceiling windows and another living and entertaining space that provides access to a lower outdoor terrace The house is located opposite a popular swimming spot named The Pillars The property has a total of five bathrooms including an ensuite with a freestanding stone bath tub Step from a bedroom onto the balcony for fresh air and sunlight Also outside is the tiled swimming pool and pool house with a Calacatta marble-fitted kitchen Completing the package is an in-ground trampoline a fire-pit area with a pizza oven and a triple garage Mr Baster said buyers from Asia and Europe had inquired about the property Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Daylesford: Enchanting garden oasis ready to branch out with a new owner Benalla: Former bootmaker’s shop where Ned Kelly brawled with police awaits a new owner ‘It’s a bit MAFS’: Melb landlord’s $3k+ offer to love-struck tenants Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A Mount Martha beach box has gone toe-to-toe with Portsea prices selling for $1 million in cash after 48 hours on the market Boat shed 26 on South Beach transacted for $350,000 more than its guiding price following interest from five parties – all rate-paying locals The buyer paid cash shortly after the listing went live on April 15 forking out a sum only $35,000 shy of the Melbourne median house price and setting a Mount Martha record for a boat shed banks will not loan for boat sheds (sometimes called beach boxes) given they are not residential and allowed only for storage It makes the payment of $1 million in cold Melbourne’s median house price stands at $1,035,887 according to Domain’s House Price Report for the March quarter making this beach box one of the state’s most expensive addresses when measured by price per square metre The Mount Martha beach box one of the Victoria’s most expensive addresses when measured by price per square metre.Credit: Domain a seven-figure deal for a boat shed is not out of the ordinary Portsea has long been considered the premier boat shed market The South Beach boat shed agent Alex Corradi of Danckert Real Estate said the assets were an extension of the luxury homes that sit above the foreshore The shed was in a position that spurred buyers to dig deep and it is quite rare for a boat shed to come up for sale at that end,” he said Corradi sold the shed to the vendors 10 years ago Boat shed 26 on South Beach transacted for $350,000 more than its guiding price.Credit: Domain “They rebuilt the shed not long after they bought it and it was well sought after even when they purchased it The record for a Victorian boat shed was $1.2 million paid in the summer of 2024 on Fishermans Beach The agency has another Portsea beach box for sale – number 28 on Shelley Beach – for $910,000 to $1 million Listing agent Warwick Anderson said Fishermans Beach boxes were more limited than other locations and this is where the biggest money is spent following interest from five parties \\u2013 all rate-paying locals Melbourne\\u2019s median house price stands at $1,035,887 according to Domain\\u2019s House Price Report for the March quarter making this beach box one of the state\\u2019s most expensive addresses when measured by price per square metre achieving untouchable prices \\u2013 until now \\u201CIt is at the southern end of South Beach and it is quite rare for a boat shed to come up for sale at that end,\\u201D he said \\u201CThey only transact once every few years \\u201CThey rebuilt the shed not long after they bought it and prices have kept going up,\\u201D he said The agency has another Portsea beach box for sale \\u2013 number 28 on Shelley Beach \\u2013 for $910,000 to $1 million Firefighters are currently responding to a grass fire at Forest Drive in Mt Martha seven units are responding to the incident which is listed as “under control” (please see update below) Vic Emergency has advised that smoke may be visible in the vicinity of the fire but that there is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required UPDATE – Vic Emergency has put out an ember alert for properties north east of the fire The alert is a “stay informed” and is from 4.25pm Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids Josephine's Restaurant at the Briars has remained vacant and unused since 2020/21 Council's Destination Experience team is eager to reopen the building for community use and as a leasable facility The upcoming works will include structural integrity assessments and collaboration with the Environmental Health Officer to ensure compliance with food handling regulations upgrades to the kitchen equipment and air conditioning systems are necessary A meeting is scheduled with both the Environmental Health Officer and the building surveyor to determine the scope of the required refurbishment A consultant was engaged to prepare concept design which will now inform the detailed design process Following feedback from the building surveyor and the Environmental Health Officer Council Officers will proceed with finalising the detailed design The detailed design is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025 Service centre and connection point operating hours and days vary by location Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters The existing Briars Boardwalk starts at the Briars and runs through natural terrain along Balcombe Creek ending at the Mount Martha Balcombe Estuary Due to the deteriorating condition of the boardwalk The Destination Experience Team aims to reopen the boardwalk to provide the community with the opportunity to walk through the natural beauty of Balcombe Creek and experience the surrounding environment at the Briars A consultant was engaged to prepare a cost estimate for the repair works Three options were provided: the first option involves moving the boardwalk away from the creek and constructing a new path outside the vegetated area The second option focuses on repairing only the damaged sections The third option is a complete reconstruction of the boardwalk Council held community consultations in December to determine the preferred option The report was submitted to the Executive team for approval and is now set to be tabled before the Council for final endorsement the project will progress to the detailed design phase Boat shed 26 on South Beach transacted for $350,000 more than its guiding price, following interest from five parties – all rate-paying locals. The buyer paid cash shortly after the listing went live on April 15, forking out a sum only $35,000 shy of the Melbourne median house price and setting a Mount Martha record for a boat shed. Typically, banks will not loan for boat sheds (sometimes called beach boxes), given they are not residential and allowed only for storage. It makes the payment of $1 million in cold, hard cash all the more extraordinary. Melbourne’s median house price stands at $1,035,887, according to Domain’s House Price Report for the March quarter, making this beach box one of the state’s most expensive addresses when measured by price per square metre. Still, in Portsea, a seven-figure deal for a boat shed is not out of the ordinary. Portsea has long been considered the premier boat shed market, achieving untouchable prices – until now. ‘Fighting for survival’: How Australia’s housing crisis is hitting everyone hard Holiday escapes: 6 of the best Airbnbs for sale right now Five first home buyers battle for $720,000 Moonee Ponds townhouse The South Beach boat shed agent Alex Corradi of Danckert Real Estate said the assets were an extension of the luxury homes that sit above the foreshore. The shed was in a position that spurred buyers to dig deep, and he had a waiting list, Corradi said. “It is at the southern end of South Beach, and it is quite rare for a boat shed to come up for sale at that end,” he said. “They only transact once every few years. I had multiple interested parties, and it got into a bidding war.” Corradi sold the shed to the vendors 10 years ago, in the mid-to-high $300,000 bracket. “They rebuilt the shed not long after they bought it, and it was well sought after even when they purchased it, and prices have kept going up,” he said. The record for a Victorian boat shed was $1.2 million paid in the summer of 2024 on Fishermans Beach, Portsea. It was a component of a larger deal, sold with a house, through RT Edgar. The agency has another Portsea beach box for sale – number 28 on Shelley Beach – for $910,000 to $1 million. Listing agent Warwick Anderson said Fishermans Beach boxes were more limited than other locations, and this is where the biggest money is spent. Aussie skin care entrepreneurs Laura Foley and Dave Oosterloo have sold their Mediterranean-style Mount Martha abode for just under their price hopes Listed in November with a $4.8m-$5.2m price guide, the four-bedroom house ‘Scala House’ at 24 Dominion Rd sold for $4.7m in the first week of January self tan and skincare company Bali Body in 2014 with the goal of creating a brand that’s cruelty free and for sensitive skin which can now be purchased in more than 150 countries RELATED: The Body Shop mogul makes $10m move on Peninsula Ex-Melb guesthouse where man was killed in 2014 up for sale $8m pay out: Portelli’s major Block flop It’s understood the brand rakes in $2m a month in sales and the founders signed a $30m deal with Coles towards the end of last year and they’ve just offloaded their beloved residence designed by Wolveridge Architects and built by Ongarello Ms Foley said they were thrilled with the outcome and were excited for the new owners who would be able to enjoy the home they built She added that the pair had purchased another property in the area and were planning to build another abode The lavish in-ground pool with a paddle area and spa The enclosed pool house integrated with the main residence featuring a bar fridge and a place to lounge texture and minimalism are consistent design elements throughout the residence The open plan kitchen and living space is the centrepiece of the home Three large bedrooms with bookshelves and built-in wardrobes lead towards the primary bedroom wing Bali Body founders Laura Foley and Dave Oosterloo There’s also an enclosed pool house part of the main residence with bar fridges adjacent from the pool and spa Warlimont & Nutt Real Estate Mt Martha director Trent Cameron said the couple were really happy with the sale and were looking forward to their next journey “We had interest in the property from the day it was put online,” Mr Cameron said I find there are still buyers out there … we’re still finding that they’re still purchasing.” The kitchen fitted with Patagonian Quartzite and integrated dishwasher and fridge Natural light pours into the open plan living and dining space from the large He added that the agency was receiving inquiries from prospective buyers looking for properties like this one in the area Mr Cameron told the Herald Sun earlier that the couple’s decision to sell their home wasn’t initially part of their plan MORE: Celebs among 180k people forced to evacuate as fires destroy homes Rare glimpse inside Harry, Meghan’s $20m home Myer family’s Toorak home sells for first time in 70 years The request URL is over the maximum size allowed This is golf as you've never seen it – our Night Golf Series is here to take your Fridays this summer to the next level!   Leave your serious game at the door – gods of golf need not apply What to expect: Imagine glowing golf balls From putting contests to closest-to-the-pin challenges there’s a little something for everyone.  For more details, visit our website, follow us on socials and stay updated on what’s in store The goal of this capital works project is to reduce reliance on potable water for the various land pastures in the Briars The recycled water project will provide main water pipeline infrastructure to the storage tanks at the Briars South East Water (SEW) will supply class A recycled water as part of the agreement between SEW and Council.  Class A is the highest grade of recycled water and the only grade suitable for non-potable residential use Refer to image attached for pipeline route and location of the storage tanks A commercial agreement between Council and SEW is to work in partnership which enables SEW to deliver and maintain the project and assets through its life cycle The tender for the work has been completed and a contract has been awarded by SEW It is determined the class A recycled water will cost $1200/ MGL in lieu of potable water which will cost $3500/ MGL making this project a great sustainable outcome for the community The project has been put on hold due to Cultural significant artifacts found in the vicinity of the site and therefore the project team will now be preparing a blanket CHMP through a Heritage Advisor prior to commencing the project.  CAN Derren Elliott and Mount Martha defy the critics and join the race for promotion from State 5 South next season?The Mariners were granted State League status in late 2019 but have played just three full seasons since due to the impact of the pandemic And despite never finishing in the top half of the league new head coach Charlie Platt and new assistant Elliott have set an ambitious goal for 2025 “Look it’s too early to say we’re going to do this or we’re going to do that but if everything comes together then I’m hoping that at the very least we will be very “He’s not the sort of man that sets small targets “A lot will depend on who we bring down and with the club celebrating its 10th year next year and the new clubrooms set to open before the season starts it would be pretty special to get promoted next season.”Two clubs have won promotion to State 4 in the past three seasons with just 13 wins – Mentone and Casey Panthers – while the Mariners’ best tally in that time is only nine wins And only one club has been promoted recently from State 5 without a playing budget – Jason Grieve’s Mentone in the 2023 season “When we got promoted we paid for a few players’ registrations and club fees but that was it,” Grieve said “No player has picked up money for playing for Mentone including the likes of Marcus Spivey Adam Leander and Peter Varsamis who all played at a higher level.”That’s heartening news for Platt and Elliott and it’s a model Mount Martha will try and emulate a couple of 20-year-olds and some ‘old heads’ now which you need,” Elliott said ‘Bangers’ (Dan Bancroft) and Davey Jones have done well and a lot will depend now on who we get coming down this season.” You can add Elliott to the list of “old heads” indeed he’s the oldest Mariner and likely the league’s elder statesman “Yes I am conscious of my age,” the 51-year-old goalkeeper said “I had a discussion with (former coach) Mark Larner a couple of seasons back that if someone good comes along would I be willing to step aside “Well if they’re good enough then they should have the opportunity to prove it but I’m not just going to hand it over “I’m not so sure everyone sees it like that,” he said with a laugh “I’m sure our technical director (Serhat Ozenir) would like to get more youth through.”Elliott doesn’t anticipate his role as senior assistant encroaching on his responsibilities as first choice keeper Platt approached him about the position just before the club’s presentation night last month “My first response was ‘does that mean you don’t want me playing in goal?’ “Look I think the reality will be that I’ll act as a sounding board for Charlie to bounce ideas off “He’s pretty much hands-on as a coach so I’ll still be able to focus on my game if I need to.” Elliott and Platt have put an extensive network of player contacts to good use lately and the success of their endeavours will soon be known The Mariners’ pre-season starts at 7pm this Thursday at Civic Reserve and the following week there will be sessions on Tuesday and Thursday “Charlie and myself have put feelers out but we can’t name anyone right now because obviously a lot of them are at other local clubs “Plus it’s one thing to say on the phone that you’re coming down and another to see them actually turn up so let’s wait and see “Getting one or two sorted is a big start though because we can say to other players that we’ve signed these guys “If you’ve got some quality footballers and the framework is all there then you can bring others in on the back of that “Charlie wants to play an attacking style of football and something that’s good to watch He’s got a good personality and he could probably talk a few lads into coming down and having a look “The facilities are a big attraction – the pitches are excellent – and being local lads there’s a minimal travelling requirement “Obviously we can’t pay anybody so I guess its about getting people to play for the love of the game but giving them the incentive of winning something.”When Elliott talks about the love of the game he speaks from experience It has underpinned his remarkable playing career which started in his native St Albans in Hertfordshire He played for St Albans youth team and made a handful of reserves appearances but a highlight of his playing days in England was winning the County Cup with Queen’s Head FC He arrived in Melbourne in 2009 and joined Mornington where he has played at Bayside Premier League He still plays for Mornington’s Over-35s on Sundays but keeping the opposition at bay for the Mariners is his main priority.Should Mount Martha fail to reach the heights firmly in their sights for next season there is another club in State 5 that Elliott thinks can win promotion “If it’s not going to be us going up then I think it will be Aspendale to be fair “They’ve got a really good set-up and they’re a good bunch of lads “From a selfish point of view I was glad they didn’t go up this year because we like playing against them to be honest “You can have a competitive game with them with no ‘aggro’ “You can’t say that about some of the other clubs.”Now about to embark on his fourth straight season at Civic Reserve Elliott is under no illusion about the enormity of the task facing his side next year “I think the league has improved marginally in standard but there’s always one team that seems to come down and spend heavily Really tough.” But Mentone proves that as tough as it is matching the cashed-up clubs it still can be done Elliott and his gaffer are banking on that First published in the Mornington News – 19 November 2024 Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to help identify the driver of a ute that rammed a police car in Mount Martha earlier this month Officers attempted to intercept the stolen orange Toyota Hilux ute near the intersection of Nepean Highway and Craigie Road about 1.30am on 13 September the ute turned around and intentionally rammed the side of the marked police car The ute fled the scene and was located burnt out on Lloyd Park The two police officers inside the car sustained minor injuries Investigators believe the Toyota Hilux was stolen from a Narre Warren South property between 6 and 7 September Detectives have released an image of a person driving the Toyota Hilux who may be able to assist with their enquiries Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au https://www.police.vic.gov.au/appeal-driver-involved-mount-martha-police-ramming First published in the Mornington News – 5 November 2024 The sensational hit show Sea Wolves Howl is returning to Flinders for four performances 14-16 November 2024 at Flinders Civic Hall after a sell-out debut season in February 2024 is based on the stories of a group of women and non-binary people who bonded over cold-water swimming during COVID they discovered the power of the pack as they literally howled their troubles Sea Wolves Howl was inspired by and created with the blessing of the Mount Martha Sea Wolves who generously shared their stories with the creatives who brought their stories to life Written by local theatre practitioners Carole Patullo and Jane Bayly with original music and score composed by John Thorn and directed by Yoni Prior Sea Wolves Howl has grown into something much bigger than what happened on stage – it’s been a transformative experience for everyone involved The return season will see the original cast – five main characters – Lux (Emma Jevons) Jilly (Jane Bayly) and Aubrey (Carole Patullo) – carry the stories of cold-water therapy morphing into whole-life therapy, unleashing a wildness and a playfulness that is all about saying yes to the universe with a mighty howl Also returning is the stunning Portrait of a Sea Wolf Exhibition featuring portraits of the original Mount Martha Sea Wolves by local documentary photographer Noa Smith Fletcher who also doubles as the co-founder of the actual Sea Wolves swimming group and the inspiration for the central character The exhibition will be on display at the Flinders Civic Hall.  Sea Wolves Howl returns to Flinders Civic Hall for four shows only: November 14-16. Tickets at flindersfringe.com.au Sea-Wolves-Howl-photo_Noa-Smith-Fletcher-1 A Brighton bathing box has sold for a six-figure sum that could cover more than half the cost of a median-priced Melbourne unit The navy- and white-painted beach shack, which does not have a bathroom was listed with a $350,000-$390,000 asking range Nick Johnstone Real Estate director Nick Johnstone declined to comment on the price but industry insiders put it near the range’s top end RELATED: Mount Martha beach box sells for $1m at hotly contested two-hour auction Vic beach boxes: why experts say the status symbols are a coastal dream you might regret Brighton: Young MyDeal rich lister nabs swish apartment and bonus beach box This would more than cover 60 per cent of a $583,000-median priced Greater Melbourne unit And it’s almost 40 per cent of the city’s $895,000 typical house value Mr Johnstone said the bathing box had been scheduled to go under the hammer next week but the listing generated so much interest that it sold ahead of time “We had a bit of a mini-auction between two buyers His agency will soon list another Brighton beach box for private sale with a $400,000 price tag bathing boxes started being built on bayside Melbourne’s beaches so people could get changed into their swimming gear There’s now 96 such boxes on Brighton beach Mr Johnstone said that he believed this was good value for one of the iconic coastal sheds especially compared to the $1m that a Mount Martha beach box sold for earlier this week managed by Danckert Real Estate director Alex Corradi set a new record for beach boxes in Victoria – although there are unconfirmed rumours that Portsea beach boxes have fetched more in the past The 26 South Beach address fetched a price much higher than its $650,000-$700,000 asking range Another boatshed at 105 South Beach, Mount Martha, is also for sale with a $580,000-$620,000 price tag The blue shack with a yellow door is listed with Warlimont & Nutt Mt Martha’s Richard Sullivan Victoria recorded a preliminary 63.3 per cent clearance rate from 215 early auction results last week About 833 homes across the state will go under the hammer next week MORE: Election call to save Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale home Restoration Australia: Beaumaris mid-century marvel restored on TV show hits the market Mornington Peninsula: Power couple Jinah and Christian Johnston put luxe retreat up for sale but there’s a theatre atop Mount Martha where the spectacle of the seasons is the stunning show playing 365 days a year That drama is, of course, the awe-inspiring natural environment – vast horizons and jewelled seas – but it could just as easily be Safe Haven, a thrilling clifftop showpiece. Dark-toned ceilings sit high over polished concrete floors and, in between, opulent spaces are created by material, textural and tonal palettes. is never far away – replicating the shifts of weather and time across the bay beyond A sheer curtain of brassy mesh separates the entry from the lounge with a brilliant fizzing swish that’s all glorious glamour The living room offers your first peninsula panorama but the fireplace here is almost as blue and beautiful as the bay rising to the ceiling to form a dazzling hearth more expansive glass draws in those show-stopping scenes looking across a broad terrace and the sublime magnesium pool to the briny deep The lustrous swirl of the cypress white marble bench is perfection with fluted glass and handsome dark cabinetry as urbane foils slim timber batons clad the walls in warm tones as the floor plan steps up and back passing a fabulous home office where internal windows means the worker too At the end of the hallway are a plush home theatre on one side and a marble-trimmed powder room on the other A glass door leads out to the enormous garage with space for a gym or yoga area The sumptuous first level accommodates four bedrooms all with lavish en suites and walk-in wardrobes Brilliant side projections in each room create sparkling bay views At the end of the level are a roomy rumpus room and a large rear deck that leads onto a broad garden terrace the private main bedroom is all next-level luxury from its epic marble en suite to its walk-in robe/dressing room There’s even an automatically revealed skylight above the bed for star-gazing from Portsea to Point Lonsdale and all the way to the city skyline “Introducing Safe Haven, a masterpiece of architectural design. The property’s commanding, elevated presence overlooking captivating bay views provides an ever-changing landscape. A luxurious, sophisticated property for the generations.” Rob Curtain from Sotheby’s bold and an elusive status symbol — but are Victoria’s beach boxes worth their skyrocketing price tags Scoring a Victorian beach box might seem like hitting the coastal jackpot experts suggest the investment might not be worth the picture-perfect views you’re paying for them With nearly 2,000 beach boxes dotting the state’s shores with around 1,000 of these on the Mornington Peninsula alone RELATED: Decayed, cut in half: Vic’s boldest renos reshaping home prices Where to live to make it to 100 in Australia ‘Yuck’: The Block judge under fire for real estate move But as house prices dip and investors retreat property pundits have debated whether these colourful status symbols are a dream buy — or just a vanity splurge In Blairgowrie Boatshed 13 sold for $900,000 in February 2024 Warimont Nutt Mount Martha’s Tammie Coadie said beach boxes might be a good investment as they tended to increase in value over time but shared her caution over purchasing them Warimont Nutt Mount Martha’s Tammie Coadie said beach boxes weren’t the kind of investment purchased would use to leverage or build wealth Boatshed 13, Blairgowrie sold for $900,000 in February 2024 Annual license fees for Mornington Peninsula beach boxes range from $855 to $1,100 and sellers are hit with transfer fees of 6.5 per cent of the box’s capital value or $3,830 — whichever is greater Owners also face strict heritage restrictions where the structures’ historical significance means alterations are heavily regulated Melbourne buyers advocate Cate Bakos dubbed purchasing a beach box ‘illogical’ Prominent Melbourne buyers agent Cate Bakos said beach boxes were an “illogical purchase” “You’re essentially paying for a license to use it not the land it’s on – they’re not insurable and you can’t even rent them out for income “It’s entirely cash out with no financial return Beach Box 28 Shelley Beach, Portsea is currently on the market and could fetch $1m “A modest coastal home would be a better investment any day.” Barry Plant Rosebud’s Thomas Solunto said the beach boxes remained highly coveted and dubbed them a ‘prestigious luxury asset’ beach boxes remain highly coveted – Barry Plant Rosebud’s Thomas Solunto said there was still a great deal of appeal for cashed-up buyers Beach boxes are storage spaces for summer and in winter but some are worth more than houses in nearby towns – that’s not practical; it’s a prestigious luxury asset.” Ms Bakos said not even an ‘Instagram-worthy’ view could justify the value of a ‘glorified shed’ Mr Solunto said the location of the beach box made a difference for the overall growth of the asset “If it’s right on the beach with uninterrupted views it’s much more desirable and likely to sell quickly,” he said In 2021, 4 South Beach, Mt Martha fetched a then record for a beach box in the suburb – an eye-watering $650,000 amid the global pandemic Ms Coadie pointed out the challenges of owning a beach box “It’s important to understand the limitations of owning a beach box,” she said and while you’re allowed to rebuild what was there “And the license can be revoked at any time — it’s a bit of a gamble.” PropTrack house prices on the Mornington Peninsula in December 2024 were down 3.9 per cent in the past year House prices on the Mornington Peninsula in December 2024 were down 3.9 per cent in the past year according to PropTrack and while property experts like Mr Soluto believed the emotional connection and lifestyle benefits justify the price I’d urge them to take a step back and assess whether their money could be better spent on something with long-term value or are they just a luxury you can’t afford to sink into?.” Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: $4.4m Surf Coast residence offers best seat in the house Melbourne family turns carpark into payday Ex-Melb guesthouse where man was killed in 2014 up for sale The weathered timber against pale brick combination gets a rev with the clever presentation of undercrofts, curves and perforations to provide contrast and depth. “It’s quite bespoke,” says Danckert’s Alex Corradi. “There’s not much else like it in the area.” Indeed, the chic fitout reflects the handsome exterior – there are modish Mediterranean notes here to go with the seaside style. Inside, it’s breezy and beachy, but we love how the big-ticket items, like the spectacular kitchen’s brassy rangehood and ruddy marble swirl, anchor the space with gravitas and flair. It’s a similar story in the family room where the billowing sheers, used throughout, track the curve of the glass to rest against a centring dark wall. Upstairs, the main bedroom’s curved, timber-clad covered balcony is simply splendid, as is the retreat configuration. There are three further bedrooms downstairs on a rangy footprint that flows out to a sparkling pool and grassy terrace. Breathtaking estate in Mornington Peninsula’s Boneo for sale ‘We’re custodians here’: What really draws buyers to Victoria’s wine country “Every inch has been carefully thought-out,” says Corradi, who handles the private sale of this genuine beachside beauty. The guide is $3.8 million to $4.15 million. 2 Baths1 ParkingView listing Double-fronted Victorian homes are highly sought after here, and this two-storey home is a surprisingly spacious package. The open-plan family room with a modern kitchen connects to a courtyard deck. Extras include a decent-size study, study nook, cellar and a backyard deck (it can convert to a parking spot). Zoned for University High School. 2 Baths4 ParkingView listing There’s a magical feel to this art deco family home surrounded by mature gardens. The highlight is the light-filled, first-floor family room that opens to a wide terrace. A stylish renovation has created multiple living rooms. Its location, opposite a park and steps from a primary school, adds to the appeal. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing Those seeking an entry into Bayside should consider this pretty home with oodles of potential. A clinker-brick facade leads to a west-facing family room with a contemporary kitchen. A garden studio/bedroom is an ideal teen retreat, and a study could work as a fourth bedroom. “It’s such a cute home,” the agent says. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing There’s no lack of space here for families, with its five living spaces, five bedrooms, and an outdoor zone that will deliver fun for all. Highlights include a home theatre, pool and space to park a golf buggy (it’s beside Sandhurst golf and health club). “It’s the ultimate family paradise,” the agent says. 2 Baths4 ParkingView listing You’ll be able to holiday at home in this resort-style property with the lot. A large, airy, north-facing deck is the ideal spot to enjoy a sundowner after a splash in the 15-metre pool. The sunny living space, lounge and well-zoned bedrooms offer pretty views, while horse lovers will be drawn to the 3.8 hectares of paddocks. 2 Baths10 ParkingView listing A country escape with views of pretty countryside and Port Phillip Bay is hard to resist. The 60-hectare working farm hosts a modern, sustainable house that includes a family room with a serene outlook, a sunroom (with kitchenette), a home office and a 12-metre pool. “It’s just minutes from the Bellarine’s best wineries and beaches,” the agent says. First published in the Mornington News – 11th June 2024 TUCKED away in a room at Mt Martha Community House is a little group about to notch up it’s 50th year.Mt Martha Model Railway Club Inc was founded in 1975 and has run continuously with only the occasional derailments one of which was covid.“We run train afternoons every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 – 4 And soon we are starting a Saturday afternoon session from 2 – 4,” said president of the model railway club Bob Geeves.“We are a member of the Men’s Shed organisation and it is mostly men who come along,” said Bob The meetings are a great opportunity for a general chat as well.” “We have about 25 members at the moment ranging from teenage to in their 80’s and we are definitely looking for more members.”Anyone interested can call Bob Geeves on 0408 754 540 First published in the Mornington News – 30 July, 2024 PETER Mitchell spends a lot of time chasing cartoon characters especially Big Bird from the popular TV series He may also be found tracking Bart Simpson running shoes and even circumnavigating New Zealand.Mitchell’s journeys may sound a bit esoteric The Safety Beach runner follows what he calls a “creative pastime – GPS Art” Before setting out on a run Mitchell draws his course on a map of the area which is then able to be called up on his sports watch developed from maps is then followed by the Mornington Misfits social running group.“In the early days roughly formed images that we could see in previous runs were altered to form more precise outlines of objects such as animals,” Mitchell said “It all started when the Mornington Misfits were running and one lady went missing in action and others went back to find her it kind of looked like the outline of Big Bird from Sesame Street “A couple of us subsequently tweaked the course to look more like Big Bird and it soon became a thing in the local running community The Big Bird Trail was born.”The nine kilometre Mount Martha-based trail is now followed by hundreds of runners with an open monthly group run to “run the Bird” a boardwalk and The Briars community forest like our annual winter Solstice fundraiser and the Big Bird World Championships where Big Bird himself comes along.” Runners can record their efforts on the exercise app Strava.Mitchell says he uses two approaches to his GPS exercise art The street routed art has a basic line image superimposed over a map “I try to best route a course that follows the image on my exercise app [and] sync the route to my sports watch and go and run it as it helps navigate me.” “On the ground there’s often an access issue or two,” Mitchell said “Sometimes an unexpected fence to climb or road closure “When I ran my world map my friend and I literally went straight through the State Library and a couple of shopping arcades It was very memorable to say the least.”The generally shorter freestyle art (two to five kilometres) is usually more intricate in design and run on sports grounds or in parks “I superimpose a basic line image over a satellite map of the area and use landmarks such as cricket pitches playgrounds and car parks to help me best follow the image once on the ground,” Mitchell said “This technique is much slower as you need to keep stopping to see where you are going next and get your bearings It’s very detailed and often slow going.“A group of us ran my 55km map of Australia over Australia Day weekend then a Kiwi friend asked me when we were running New Zealand so I designed that too and we ran it at Matariki weekend the NZ Indigenous New Year.” Other courses drawn and followed by Mitchell and his friends have included a bicycle inside a map of France during the Tour de France as well as the cartoon characters.“It’s evolved over time and my world map piece surprised me with just what’s possible It’s been overwhelming as hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world have seen it and hundreds have felt the need to comment which has been quite amazing.”Mitchell believes there is a niche market for his GPS art “mainly in the sporting industry to promote such things as events “I just want people to enjoy it and hopefully get active too Whether that’s to get inspired and try making their own new art or running the Big Bird Trail or seeing my larger pieces and just enjoying them for what they are whatever that is.”The next Big Bird Trail running event on Sunday 8 September includes a 42.2km marathon option.Details: Strava Big Bird GPS Art; Instagram: bigbirdgpsart; Facebook: Big Bird Trail First published in the Mornington News – 3 September 2024 Up behind Mount Martha’s pastel-pretty beach and its neat the hinterland hosts some pretty expansive This one at 19 Century Drive certainly ups the amenity ante with a long list of luxe inclusions with a floor plan that ticks that sought-after multigenerational box among many others “Architecturally it’s incredible,” says Marshall White’s Chelsey Gibson There’s a wonderful outlook from every room.” Then there’s the splendid elemental feel of the materials that sits particularly well in this green environment Rammed-earth walls aside the characterful charcoal timbers are inspired bedfellows that provide a rough-hewn contrast to the sleek interiors We adore the outdoor entertainment area too – a handsome spread of space surrounding the superb pool and spa The adjacent pavilion accommodates a games room A little further afield is a full-sized tennis court “It’s a real coast meets country feel here,” Gibson says “Equestrian paddocks as a backdrop and just a few minutes drive to the beach.” The private sale has a guide of $7.5 million to $8.2 million Turnkey has never been so complete as at this four-hectare bushland property where the purchase of the main house and three mini-me cottages includes all fittings The curated finish at this home of interior designer Maree Howley of Beautiful Room showcases refined rural living with neat gardens and views over Bunyip State Park The cottages suit multigenerational living or short-term rental Occupying a coveted clifftop waterfront position Laguna makes the most of forever views to the north-east “It is a very clever design,” the agent says “Aspirational buyers on the peninsula know this is special.” The property a holiday retreat for former Melbourne lord mayor Ron Walker’s family for 40 years has separate guest quarters and a glazed facade broad beachfront terraces and inclinator access to the shallows Push back the glass sliders from the rear corner of this sophisticated abode’s casual living zone to luxuriate in a finessed entertainment space of poolside terrace and al fresco dining The builder’s-own residence is layered with meticulous luxury and detail Special mention goes to the curvaceous void above the dining area This executive townhouse has a seamless floor plan of practical living spaces with bespoke inclusions and touches of luxe The private rear courtyard has a barbecue kitchen on a Vergola-roofed terrace The picket fence and “quintessential Victorian facade” disguise surprises within this cul-de-sac cottage Start with its summer bonus – an 18-metre heated lap pool that runs alongside the open-plan living area “It’s a unique asset on a property of 213 square metres,” he says The architectural renovation includes sliding-door flexibility to bedrooms travertine bathrooms and “timeless natural elements” Creating a village-style community for high-density happiness was a key factor of this 2018-built development in the Dights Falls area of the inner north Fieldworks’ design process included inviting prospective buyers to vote on communal facilities while emphasising sustainability This townhouse has a pocket courtyard and ground-floor living zone “It’s a premier street for being a cul-de-sac and a short walk to the beach,” says the agent selling this graceful new residence at the rear of a subdivided block A range of buyers are attracted to its family size and lock-and-leave capability The facade has the lovely aesthetics of a traditional weatherboard home while the contemporary interior is easy-living You can imagine you’re on an island at this stately house on 13 hectares overlooking Lauriston Reservoir near Kyneton Entertain in style with three reception rooms Decorated ceilings by Peter Zagaris and trompe l’oeil works by Mary Larnach Jones set it apart “It manages to be grand yet homely,” the agent says Spectacular views of the bay with Melbourne in the distance steal the show in this home near the peak The light-filled main living space opens to a terrace and pool while a family room links to the back garden “It’s well designed for practical living,” the agent says these spectacular mature gardens are a living artwork Overlooking this slice of paradise is a luxurious split-level house with carefully curated fixtures and finishes the property includes a guest cottage and two dams This article was originally published by Domain.com.au. Reproduced with permission Up behind Mount Martha\\u2019s pastel-pretty beach and its neat \\u201CArchitecturally it\\u2019s incredible,\\u201D says Marshall White\\u2019s Chelsey Gibson \\u201CIt\\u2019s got that wow-factor \\u2013 big windows There\\u2019s a wonderful outlook from every room.\\u201D Then there\\u2019s the splendid elemental feel of the materials that sits particularly well in this green environment We adore the outdoor entertainment area too \\u2013 a handsome spread of space surrounding the superb pool and spa \\u201CIt\\u2019s a real coast meets country feel here,\\u201D Gibson says \\u201CEquestrian paddocks as a backdrop and just a few minutes drive to the beach.\\u201D \\u201CIt is a very clever design,\\u201D the agent says \\u201CAspirational buyers on the peninsula know this is special.\\u201D The property a holiday retreat for former Melbourne lord mayor Ron Walker\\u2019s family for 40 years Push back the glass sliders from the rear corner of this sophisticated abode\\u2019s casual living zone to luxuriate in a finessed entertainment space of poolside terrace and al fresco dining The builder\\u2019s-own residence is layered with meticulous luxury and detail The picket fence and \\u201Cquintessential Victorian facade\\u201D disguise surprises within this cul-de-sac cottage Start with its summer bonus \\u2013 an 18-metre heated lap pool that runs alongside the open-plan living area \\u201CIt\\u2019s a unique asset on a property of 213 square metres,\\u201D he says travertine bathrooms and \\u201Ctimeless natural elements\\u201D Fieldworks\\u2019 design process included inviting prospective buyers to vote on communal facilities while emphasising sustainability \\u201CIt\\u2019s a premier street for being a cul-de-sac and a short walk to the beach,\\u201D says the agent selling this graceful new residence at the rear of a subdivided block You can imagine you\\u2019re on an island at this stately house on 13 hectares overlooking Lauriston Reservoir near Kyneton Decorated ceilings by Peter Zagaris and trompe l\\u2019oeil works by Mary Larnach Jones set it apart \\u201CIt manages to be grand yet homely,\\u201D the agent says \\u201CIt\\u2019s well designed for practical living,\\u201D the agent says \\u201CIt\\u2019s very flamboyant,\\u201D the agent says This article was originally published by Reproduced with permission Safety Beach is a pint-sized pocket of Melbourne’s stunning Mornington Peninsula with its pearly white sand and child-friendly shallow waters lending to its apt name Life in this seaside suburb has always revolved around the water but its appeal extends beyond the beach to include a palm-studded golf course and a bustling marina This has made it a long-time favourite among holidaymakers and the 6000-plus residents who cherish its serenity Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines According to the latest Domain House Price Report, Safety Beach’s median house price is $1.13 million, marking a 43 per cent rise over the past five years. Ian Ross of Danckert Real Estate says location is one of the factors driving this growth. “Safety Beach is relatively accessible from Melbourne, just 60 minutes via the Peninsula Freeway, with two entry and exit points,” he says. “This is a blessing during peak summer periods and makes it feasible as a daily commute to Melbourne or nearby suburbs.” A significant draw for boating enthusiasts is Martha Cove, the only waterfront residential master-planned estate on the Peninsula. Why this blue-chip locale is Queensland's priciest postcode This coastal town is a 'playground for Melbourne's wealthy' The little known spot where locals live 'a life of serene leisure' This unique community, set on 94 hectares, combines parks, walkways, cycleways and an integrated harbour. “The marina has transformed waterfront living on the peninsula, offering private berths just steps from your backyard,” Ross says. “Accommodating larger sailboats and motor cruisers with berth sizes ranging from nine metres to over 30, properties here can range from $3 million to over $8.65 million, depending on their features.” Another highlight is the Safety Beach Sailing Club, a cornerstone of the community. Executive committee member Fiona Lowe says the club provides a place for the community to gather, socialise and engage in aquatic activities. “For the ultimate Safety Beach sunset experience, our club is a hidden gem,” she says. “Friday nights in summer are especially popular, with locals gathering to watch yachts during their weekly twilight race. “The sight of yachts returning with an unmissable sunset backdrop is unmatched by any other club on the peninsula.” While better known as a summer destination, Lowe speaks fondly of Safety Beach’s year-round appeal—uncrowded beaches, cosy cafes and restaurants serving warm, hearty meals. “Winter sunsets here are simply magical,” Lowe says. “Just check out our local jetty, a popular spot in many sunset photos.” Agent: Danckert Real Estate, Ian Ross 0404 868 470 Occupying the ground floor of The Wheelhouse in the coveted Martha Cove Marina, this waterfront penthouse offers opulent interiors, a vast al fresco area, and a private in-ground pool. A 99-year lease on a direct-access 22-metre berth can be bought for $500,000. According to Danckert Real Estate’s Jasmin Scott this is one of Mount Martha’s best beachside pockets you could equally imagine spending your days at stunning 24a Birdrock Avenue “This really feels like something out of the box,” says the agent There’s a touch of Palm Springs-like glam here The soft palette is both beachy and elegant and a long corridor between the bedroom zone and the rear living spaces draws northern light There are plenty of eye-catching features here A special shout-out to the way the design takes its arcs and curves all the way through – the bend of the entry hallway repeated in the beautiful barrel-bottom timber of the kitchen bench and out to the natty circular plunge pool in the gorgeous minimalist gardens A second living room with nearby bathroom access could easily become the home’s fourth bedroom Resort-style real estate is taken seriously at this family home in Mount Martha’s North Beach locale The living zone faces a broad entertainers’ deck solar-heated pool and floodlit north-south synthetic-grass tennis court built in 2003 on a 1482-square-metre block channels Hamptons style with its timber floors white kitchen and striking pair of craftsman-built stone fireplaces Quirky spaces and hipster vibes inhabit the old walls of this SoJo terrace house that almost fills its small site A first-floor sundeck is flanked by two bedrooms each with its own staircase to ground level The living room’s glass slider draws in western natural light a new terraced park marks the cul-de-sac’s intersection with lively Smith Street Reclaimed bricks make a statement inside and out at this one-owner townhouse built in 2019 on a prominent street corner hark back to the neighbourhood’s past and add character to the otherwise modern residence Industrial-chic style dresses the first-floor living zone The top-floor main-bedroom retreat has a balcony Fronting Barwon River parkland is a fabulous position for this luxurious modern-coastal residence “It has a lot of ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ moments throughout the house,” the agent says The pool is embedded into a living zone that also features an exposed-truss cathedral ceiling WFH client space and elevated decks show “no stone unturned” in the builder’s pursuit of quality At this notable property – an 1880s double-storey build with a 1920s Spanish mission twist – a modern architect-designed renovation and extension create sumptuous next-level living and a poolside cabana adds a Mykonos and Palm Springs ambience “It’s the best home in Brunswick,” the agent says palatial main-bedroom suite and home office rear deck and Victorian ash joinery spread warmth throughout this stylish one-owner townhouse in a friendly enclave near Dendy Park “It’s a quiet cul-de-sac where the kids play together and the builder still lives next door,” the agent says glass-front wine storage and a pocket back garden According to Danckert Real Estate\\u2019s Jasmin Scott this is one of Mount Martha\\u2019s best beachside pockets \\u201CThis really feels like something out of the box,\\u201D says the agent There\\u2019s a touch of Palm Springs-like glam here A special shout-out to the way the design takes its arcs and curves all the way through \\u2013 the bend of the entry hallway repeated in the beautiful barrel-bottom timber of the kitchen bench and out to the natty circular plunge pool in the gorgeous minimalist gardens A second living room with nearby bathroom access could easily become the home\\u2019s fourth bedroom Resort-style real estate is taken seriously at this family home in Mount Martha\\u2019s North Beach locale The living zone faces a broad entertainers\\u2019 deck The living room\\u2019s glass slider draws in western natural light a new terraced park marks the cul-de-sac\\u2019s intersection with lively Smith Street hark back to the neighbourhood\\u2019s past and add character to the otherwise modern residence \\u201CIt has a lot of \\u2018ooh\\u2019 and \\u2018aah\\u2019 moments throughout the house,\\u201D the agent says WFH client space and elevated decks show \\u201Cno stone unturned\\u201D in the builder\\u2019s pursuit of quality At this notable property \\u2013 an 1880s double-storey build with a 1920s Spanish mission twist \\u2013 a modern architect-designed renovation and extension create sumptuous next-level living \\u201CIt\\u2019s the best home in Brunswick,\\u201D the agent says \\u201CIt\\u2019s a quiet cul-de-sac where the kids play together and the builder still lives next door,\\u201D the agent says AFTER extensive and competitive trial processes two up-and-coming football players from Mount Martha Primary School have gained the attention of AFL and AFLW football selectors Harry Pearce will wear the big V as part of the SSV AFL under-12 boys football team competing in the national championships in Geelong from 4 to 11 August.Pearce who was selected from more than 900 boys across Victoria is in his third season of football with Mount Martha Junior Football Club Last year he finished second in the league’s best and fairest awards and second in the club’s best and fairest The Carlton supporter’s preferred positions are mid-field and half back and AFL players he looks up to are Sam Walsh and Nick Diacos The sports all-rounder is also a keen runner 400 metre races.Another Mount Martha Primary School football enthusiast competed against 320 girls from across the state to be selected as emergency in the players’ team list to represent the state in the SSV AFL under-12 girls football team She will also compete in the August national championships who is in her third season of football with Mount Martha Junior Football Club last year finished third in the league’s best and fairest and first in her club’s best and fairest The midfielder is a dominant left footer and Western Bulldogs supporter who says she admires the way AFLW player Ellie Blackburn plays midfield and Cody Weightman for his marking.Young player Harley Reid is another favourite due to his ability to keep opponents off and his “open run” which is what Holt strives for in her games First published in the Mornington News – 2 July 2024 SCHOOLS are issuing warnings about whooping cough after a spate of cases in the Mount Martha area It is understood there have been cases recorded at Balcombe Grammar and Mount Martha Primary School There are fears that families may not be aware of the easy spread of the infection which requires all sufferers to be on antibiotics for at least five days.In Victoria children with pertussis (whooping cough) but who have not had the required antibiotic treatment must not go to primary school and children’s service centres for 21 days after the onset of the cough Unimmunised contacts under seven years old in the same room as the case must also not go to primary school and children’s services centres for 14 days from the last exposure to the infection or until they received five days of antibiotic treatment.One Mornington Peninsula parent whose children had not been affected said some parents were ignoring the warnings and sending their children to school regardless “I understand the difficulties of getting into the doctors and parents working but given the number of children who play sport together on the peninsula She said most doctors were aware of the issue and had been testing children.The Victorian Health Department states that the bacteria that causes whooping cough can adhere to the cells of the respiratory tract and release toxins that cause local tissue damage that contribute to cough symptoms by disrupting mucus clearance Patients may have symptoms of nasal discharge and sneezing First published in the Mornington News – 21st May 2024 A Mornington Peninsula bush block big enough to be a small suburb is expected to make way for a major housing development once it is sold And locals are hoping it could help address a “tent city” along the municipality’s popular foreshore Warlimont & Nutt director Fergus Nutt said 121-131 Hearn Rd, Mt Martha, had been in the same family since 1968 but was likely to be turned into dozens of homes once sold RELATED: Mt Martha: Hollywood Hills-style home with ‘1960s futurist’ vibes wows Holiday home heartache looms in Victorian budget’s land tax grab Victoria sees ‘alarming’ 24 per cent surge in homelessness, new data reveals the 26.4ha plot – which is being sold along with a nearby 2.39ha block spanning four titles all together- is larger than the suburb of Gardenvale and comparable to Ripponlea which covers 29ha Mr Nutt said the vendors were yet to declare an asking price for the sites with Port Phillip Bay views “The vendors’ instructions were to put it to the market and see what the market will pay,” Mr Nutt said Records show Mt Martha’s $14m vacant land price record was set by a 1.95ha plot at 180 Bentons Rd in 2018 — a fraction of the size of the soon to be sold larger block Mr Nutt said that pending council approval the Hearn Rd sites’ low density residential zoning offered capacity to develop about 80 “lifestyle blocks” sized between 2500sq m-4000sq m He added that it was likely whoever purchased the mega block would lobby Mornington Peninsula Shire to change it to a higher density zone Mount Martha’s South Beach features colourful beach boxes The imminent listing has raised hopes for more homes to help curb the Mornington Peninsula’s homelessness crisis with the local Shire indicating about 1000 residents are experiencing homelessness About 16 per cent of them sleep rough every night, many in tents near the foreshore The council is calling on the state government to make it mandatory for all the municipality’s new housing projects to include a percentage of social and affordable properties Southern Peninsula Community Support chief executive Jeremy Maxwell said there was an “enormous” need for more local affordable housing “We’ve got over 4000 people on the public housing waiting list on the Peninsula,” Mr Maxwell said single men and women and older people were among those currently staying in the Peninsula’s single A homeless man in his Rosebud camp near the foreshore An empty camp in the bushes near the Rosebud foreshore Mr Maxwell said if the Hearn Rd land was developed for housing designating about 20 per cent as affordable homes would be “pretty significant” for the municipality Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association president John Cain said the region’s homelessness issue appeared to be “getting worse” He regularly visits the Rosebud foreshore as a conservation group volunteer there were maybe one to two people living on the foreshore,” Mr Cain said I did come across six to eight people living in tents down there Expressions of interest for the 121-131 Hearn Rd property close at 2pm MORE: Melbourne home prices forecast to surge 10 per cent in 18 months: NAB Melbourne rental crisis: Immigration, Big Build, foreign investors on solutions list House prices in Melbourne: 19-year old reveals how she got on the property ladder, despite builder going bust Up to 40 young people who partied in Mount Martha on Friday night and into Saturday morning had to be dispersed by police when fights spilled into the streets It is believed a party had been held at a short term accommodation property overnight on Friday.On Saturday morning social media was flooded with reports of groups of youths fighting in and around Park Road and Atlantic Terrace while others were seen lying on nature strips and in front yards One person was allegedly seen threatening people with a machete while one driver said a young man jumped on her car and acted aggressively and threateningly when she protested.Police responded to a report of youths fighting just after midday on Saturday and moved some of them on.A police media spokesperson said they continued to patrol the area and “no other offences occurred” First published in the Mornington News – 9th April 2024 A SPATE of break-ins around a Mount Martha “hot spot” has residents calling for more intensive policing In recent weeks the number of houses around the Hearn Road area that have been targeted has put home owners on alert Mount Martha resident Sonia said residents were sick of the crime and the inability to stop the offenders who had been caught on CCTV and appeared to be teenagers or young men January and this month there have been a lot of properties affected Ponyara Road and others around the hill area,” she said “They have been targeting us for weeks … early hours ….  police are patrolling and trying to identify them” “People need to be aware this is happening and be alert … have security and just be aware,” she said MP for Eastern Victoria Region Renee Heath late last year called on the Minister for Correction Anthony Carbines to address the crime rate Heath said a rise in crime over summer had signalled the need for more police on the Mornington Peninsula Carbines said the police commissioner recognised that highly visible proactive policing operations – ensuring police officers were on the frontline responding to calls for assistance – would best address crime and keep communities safe He said the 2022-23 state budget included an extra $600 million of which $342 million was for an additional 502 police officers Carbines said the extra police was on top of the more than 3600 additional police already on the frontline financed as part of the Allan Labor government’s record $4.5 billion investment in Victoria Police “I encourage you to remind your constituents that they should continue to call triple zero (000) for emergencies or the police assistance line (131 444) or online reporting service for non-urgent reports” First published in the Mornington News – 20 February 2024 WITH an estimated $1.5 million needed over the next five years to fix “ageing infrastructure” Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is now looking for ways of making money from its golf course at Mount Martha.The expressions of interest (EOI) campaign comes nearly four years after council hired consultants and sought ideas from the community for ways to “develop a vision and long term plan” for the 50 hectare 18-hole course (Golf course future to the fore The News 4/11/20).The latest move to find ways of paying for the golf course off Forest Drive was agreed to at council’s 29 April public meeting This time around the EOI process will “gather golfing market information and capability” that driving ranges and such “non-traditional” activities as food trucks functions and short term accommodation.“Long term financial challenges for council indicates that it may no longer be viable to continue to operate the golf course at a deficit which is likely to increase in the coming years due to the increased salaries maintenance and capital works costs,” property and commercial services acting manager Gail Mifsud said in a report to councilAbout 45,000 rounds of golf are played at the public course each year but the shire is effectively paying $9000 a year for each of Mount Martha Golf Club’s 250 members.He said the peninsula was home to 17 golf courses including the shire-controlled but privately managed one at Devilbend “I can’t get change rooms for women in Red Hill ward for sport There’s an imbalance of funding towards one side of the peninsula,” Gill said “I don’t see that we can afford to have our community believing that we can run a golf course at a loss “I would like not seeing this become another Briars where we have a master plan that is going to cost $20 million which we’re not doing because we can’t afford it “We’re just getting into a worst position [financially] but we’re still holding out the pie in the sky that we’ll provide this golf course for the few hundred club members … as the officers say [it’s] a deficit that we can’t afford.”Cr Despi O’Connor said all of the shire’s sporting facilities ran at a loss “They are run because our community wants to see those things in our community that’s what we provide as a council,” she said “The call for expressions of interest at Mount Martha golf course “is not about council sinking money into this facility it’s about going out to the market and finding out if there are people out there who want to partner with us to make this a grand facility.”A club member had told her that the golf course was “about connection and people who go and play golf to connect to each other” “It is the most stunning place on the peninsula in terms of a public setting [with views to Melbourne] so this is really important to all of us,” O’Connor said.Cr Anthony Marsh said calling for expressions of interest with a view to making the golf course economically viable “should have been done three years ago not six months before [the October council] election”.“If the process yields no good opportunity or options to make the course viable there will need to be a tough conversation about that at the appropriate time,” he said.“In terms of elections … we’ve got 149 days to make a decision as of today There’s plenty of time to do this and to make a decision off the back of it so does basically every sporting facility we have ‘what commercial opportunities are out there to make it more viable’ and not such an impost on the budget.” Marsh hoped for “some really creative options” that would be “exciting to both the community and council from a financial perspective” First published in the Mornington News – 7th May 2024 licensed restaurant with rooftop bar in Mount Martha has been refused amid concerns it could change the character of the popular tourist spot The proposal for a licensed restaurant and cafe at 3A-5 Bay Road Mount Martha was supported by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council officers who recommended its approval with amendments parking and the size and style of the building Officers’ amendments included acoustic screening in outdoor areas and “appropriate bicycle parking spaces in the footpath area adjacent to the site” Councillors at their 25 July public meeting determined that the proposal for the 9.4-metre-high development failed to provide the required car parking spaces and was “inconsistent” with zoning guidelines in that it did not “respond to streetscape and exceeds the preferred height of eight metres for ‘small township activity centres’” It also failed to address the “interface with the residential zone” and did not suitably protect the amenity of nearby residential properties.  Opponent David Mooney told the council he was particularly concerned about potential noise given that the building was at the opposite end of the village’s main business area and within 50 metres “door to door” to homes He said the development was “completely inappropriate” and would forever change the special village character of Mount Martha adding that developments of the style and nature of the proposal were a “quantum leap” from what existed in Mount Martha and belonged in a major activity centre who said car parking was already a major problem in Mount Martha village moved an alternate motion to reject the proposal and undertake an urban design framework to determine the appropriate built form in the commercial area of Mount Martha Councillors against the proposal were Marsh In favour of the rooftop bar and restaurant were Susan Bissinger First published in the Mornington News – 1st August 2023 The Mornington Peninsula’s historic Dava Hotel is for sale The original building – at 614 The Esplanade Mount Martha – was home to the Sisters of Charity and a boarding school before becoming a preparatory school for boys in the 1920s It was redeveloped as The Dava Lodge Hotel and Guest House in the 1930s and has undergone major renovations over the past two decades The Dava sale comes after Bruce Mathieson’s ASX-listed Endeavour Group recently paid $50 million for the Rye Hotel the 88-year-old Dava is on a large parcel of land – 1.55 hectares – fronting The Esplanade and with views across Port Phillip Bay but a long-lease term is expected to discount that number The hotel has been leased to casino pioneer John Haddad’s Taverns of Victoria for the past 20 years Wilson Property and Stonebridge agents Rorey James but they are not expecting the big price paid for the Rye Hotel United Petroleum founders Eddie Hirsch and Avi Silver have snapped up an East Hawthorn office building The move follows an $18 million office deal at Kew Junction last week suggesting there is some movement in the suburban office market following a long stalemate between buyers and sellers The two-storey 2739 square metre Auburn Road building had been one of Bunnings’ offices until the hardware giant moved to Botanicca in Richmond It last changed hands in 2010 for $11.2 million Ben Baines and James Zhuang; Stonebridge agents Julian White but a caveat on the title revealed their identities Hirsch and Silver are active property buyers – often for petrol stations They recently spent about $6 million on a 1.21ha site at 335 Berwick-Cranbourne Road and a similar amount on service stations at 747 Toorak Road and Kingsway A large hotel site part-owned by former AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes is back on the market has frontage to Flinders Lane and comes with a permit for two hotel towers of 24 and 30 levels TP Real Estate Holdings – a joint venture between Fernandes and Singapore-listed Plato Capital – bought the two-storey building in 2016 for $19.9 million with Colliers’ Jozef Dickinson and Trent Hobart It is expected to fetch more than $30 million Indian billionaires Kapil and Rahul Bhatia have listed the vacant Quincy Hotel on Flinders Lane for around $120 million and Far East Consortium is also selling the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Recent JLL research shows 21 new hotels have opened in Melbourne in the past four years adding 4889 rooms to lift the city’s overall capacity to 26,500 rooms A further 2000 rooms are under construction The sale of aged care and medical facilities has been a constant theme since the pandemic The high cost of construction means many of are being retained for medical or care-related uses Next up is Cabrini Health’s palliative care hospice on the corner of Airlie Avenue at 616-646 High Street While the Prahran median house price is $1.7 million houses in this neck of the woods are regularly fetching up to $5 million so the property is likely to sell for more than $10 million The former Windermere Hospital was established by renowned matron Edith Hughes-Jones in 1938 and sold to Cabrini in 1998 It has since moved palliative care into the main hospital campus Mark Stafford and MingXuan Li are selling the 2197 sq m site Another on the market is the former Bupa aged-care site in Donvale includes an 115 bed facility and adjoining land and is expected to fetch more than $15 million It was built in 1991 and is on a large 18,224 sq m land parcel just off Mitcham Road and neighbouring two other aged-care properties Sandro Peluso and Jimmy Tat are running an expression of interest campaign for the property One site that is also not returning to any kind of medical or aged care use is the Uniting Church’s former Uniting AgeWell site in Kew’s Studley Park precinct residential developer Michael Piccolo paid about $35 million for 18 Barry Street in a deal negotiated by Colliers agent Hamish Burgess Piccolo is planning a low-rise $180 million luxury development for the 8475 sq m site pitched at eastern suburban downsizers who want to stay in the neighbourhood Construction has started on Piccolo’s most recent project on Gore Street which was 70 per cent pre-sold to owner-occupiers An additional 23ha of industrial land is being released at the Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham established by MAB Corp and Gibson Property 70 hectares of the huge 415 ha estate has been developed CBRE agents Daniel Eramo and Joe Brzezek are running the latest sales campaign Eramo said owner-occupiers have been the biggest buyers of space turnkey and pre-lease space at a time when the north’s industrial vacancy rate is at a record low 1.09 per cent Rents in the traditionally cheaper northern market surged 31.4 per cent in 2022 global internet retailing giant Amazon chose AustralianSuper’s nearby Craigieburn Logistics Centre for its new 209,000 sq m robot-run warehouse CBRE’s head of logistics research Sass J-Baleh said just 13 per cent of the city’s industrial-zoned land will be available for development in the next three years The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning The Mornington Peninsula\\u2019s historic Dava Hotel is for sale The original building \\u2013 at 614 The Esplanade Mount Martha \\u2013 was home to the Sisters of Charity and a boarding school The Dava sale comes after Bruce Mathieson\\u2019s ASX-listed Endeavour Group recently paid $50 million for the Rye Hotel the 88-year-old Dava is on a large parcel of land \\u2013 1.55 hectares \\u2013 fronting The Esplanade and with views across Port Phillip Bay The hotel has been leased to casino pioneer John Haddad\\u2019s Taverns of Victoria for the past 20 years The two-storey 2739 square metre Auburn Road building had been one of Bunnings\\u2019 offices until the hardware giant moved to Botanicca in Richmond Hirsch and Silver are active property buyers \\u2013 often for petrol stations TP Real Estate Holdings \\u2013 a joint venture between Fernandes and Singapore-listed Plato Capital \\u2013 bought the two-storey building in 2016 for $19.9 million CBRE\\u2019s Scott Callow and Nathan Mufale with Colliers\\u2019 Jozef Dickinson and Trent Hobart adding 4889 rooms to lift the city\\u2019s overall capacity to 26,500 rooms Next up is Cabrini Health\\u2019s palliative care hospice on the corner of Airlie Avenue at 616-646 High Street Prahran \\u2013 a high-end residential area One site that is also not returning to any kind of medical or aged care use is the Uniting Church\\u2019s former Uniting AgeWell site in Kew\\u2019s Studley Park precinct Construction has started on Piccolo\\u2019s most recent project on Gore Street Ford and D\\u2019Orsogna all taking up space turnkey and pre-lease space at a time when the north\\u2019s industrial vacancy rate is at a record low 1.09 per cent global internet retailing giant Amazon chose AustralianSuper\\u2019s nearby Craigieburn Logistics Centre for its new 209,000 sq m robot-run warehouse CBRE\\u2019s head of logistics research Sass J-Baleh said just 13 per cent of the city\\u2019s industrial-zoned land will be available for development in the next three years The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories As the founder and director of bespoke design studio KWD, Walker wasn’t deterred. She had lived in the bayside suburb with her two children for more than a decade and was keen to stay local. The property’s proximity to the water and the “beautiful” views from the first and second-storey verandahs were drawcards enough. “It was difficult for potential buyers to see past the obvious issues with the house,” she says. “But from the first inspection, I knew I could create a very special home.” Fast-forward – or, rather, creep forward with COVID-19 lockdowns and related materials supply and budgeting issues turning a six-month renovation into an 18-month project – and the property is unrecognisable. “You can’t think of it as a reno,” says Danckert Real Estate’s Alex Corradi. “Kate had the house back to a shell. Not as much thought goes into a new build as has gone into this transformation. Every single inch of the place has been considered in the most incredible detail.” The four-bedroom house embodies its intended brief of creating a “resort-style private compound” (named Biscayne after a trip Walker took to the Florida Keys, from where she drew much of her inspiration). “I blended the British Colonial style that I love with a Caribbean vibe to create a new aesthetic I coined ‘Caribbean Colonial’,” she explains. The ‘Torquay of inland Victoria’ that has locals listing for city prices Nine must-see homes for sale in Melbourne right now ‘A miniature castle on the beach’ just listed at an iconic Middle Park address “[It is] a formal sensibility blended with a relaxed conviviality to create a feeling upon opening the front gates that is totally transportive. “The home has all the hallmarks of a five-star hotel and the soothing essence of an island getaway.” Pink umbrellas dance in the sea breeze beside the sparkling pool as the white, verandah-trimmed home rises up behind. Inside, it’s a lavish, textural wonderland. “When people walk into Biscayne, they are stunned by the level of the detail and custom finishes throughout every room,” Walker says of the thick marble benches, Italian oak flooring and timber joinery. “The layers of texture and tone are so harmonious and create a real sense of delight everywhere you look.” Wallpaper by Gucci, Hermes and Ralph Lauren, paintings and artworks lend colour and depth, as do the beautifully coloured tiles, imported designer light fittings and handmade custom rugs. “I love texture, quality and natural materials,” Walker says. “I need to be surrounded by things that bring joy; that spark memories. A home tells the story of who you are.” Walker says her favourite place to unwind is the back deck, where her wicker chair has a view over the pool, tennis court and palms to the bay. “Having a drink in the evening, with the sunshine pouring in and the outdoor fans gently spinning in the breeze, washes away the worries of the day,” she adds. “When you buy this house, you buy a lifestyle too,” Corradi says. Moving on so soon was never the plan for Walker, and selling Biscayne is “bittersweet”. But life has a funny way, she muses. “Having been a single mother for 13 years, my heart has finally found its forever home with my partner,” she says. “Between us, we have five children ranging in ages from 11 to 21, and we are now ready to fuse our lives and live together as one united Brady Bunch.” Mount Martha: Famed mid-century house popstar Ruel filmed music video at for saleMikaela Day A mid-century modern icon has hit the market at 109 Hopetoun Avenue The famed Fender House — the backdrop to global pop sensation Ruel’s latest music video — is hitting a high note on the Mount Martha market The quintessential mid-century modern abode at 109 Hopetoun Avenue is an iconic coastal property that was built and designed by renowned architect Karl Fender in 1973 After being painstakingly restored to its cool ’70s roots the six-bedroom home is the market with a $5m price tag RELATED: Karl Fender: Architect’s most important question when buying Mount Martha: Palm Springs-style home has half-pipe skate ramp Caulfield North mid-century home of Dr Ernest Fooks for sale Popstar Ruel is a fan of the famed Fender house The property has been painstakingly restored to its former 1970s glory The renewed groovy vibe and flashback furniture drew 17-year-old Aussie star Ruel to the location earlier this year to film his smash single As Long As You Care He also filmed a few skits at the home for his world-first RuelVision channel – a 24-hour online platform which screen’s Ruel original content Owners Katie and Ian Brannaghan purchased the 1.42ha property in a dilapidated state from hoarders for $1.675m in 2017 — a price “way out of budget” but everyone was too scared of the project,” Mr Brannaghan said “You could see the bones of the house were amazing and the architecture looked incredible Acclaimed architect Karl Fender designed the home at just 23 years old They spent years cleaning the site — which was full of junk including car shells — and stripped back dodgy ’80s and ’90s renovations to revive the modernist marvel wanted the property to look almost exactly the same as it did in the ’70s The six-bedroom masterpiece features terrazzo stone throughout fireplaces and mosaic-tiled bathrooms with retro light boxes The restored mid-century-style pool is another highlight as are the surrounding eclectic gardens where the Australian bush meets Palm Springs the furniture can be negotiated into the deal The project even got Fender’s personal tick of approval after he visited the revamped property “It was like having a rockstar at the house,” Ms Brannaghan said Fender is behind some of Melbourne’s most iconic projects including the latest Australia 108 building and Eureka Tower His career began as an apprentice to influential architect Robin Boyd He designed the Fender House at just 23 years old The property has most recently been used as a weekender and occasionally leased as a short-term rental for $2000 a night The Brannaghans are willing to negotiate the furniture as part of the sale Taylor & Co Realty director Kristy Taylor said there had been a lot of early interest in the “masterpiece” “They have been attracted to the beauty of the home it’s a rare gem on 3.5 acres (1.42ha),” she said The backyard is Australian bush meets Palm Springs MORE: The Block 2020 recap: Scott Cam slams Luke and Jasmin Ernie Carroll: Ossie Ostrich creator sells clifftop Mount Eliza home Pocket House: Ultra stylish Albert Park terrace transformation mikaela.day@news.com.au The billionaire co-founder of the Chemist Warehouse chain is facing a battle with residents over plans to build a luxurious 16-bed coastal compound with a pool who built his fortune from a pharmacy empire that began with five outlets in 1995 and his brothers have lodged an application to build an $18 million residence across five adjoining properties on the Esplanade in Mount Martha An aerial shot of the properties on Mount Martha’s Esplanade that will be developed as part of an application by the Verrocchi family According to an application filed with Mornington Peninsula Shire Verrocchi intends to demolish three existing houses on the land to make way for a sprawling set of double-storey buildings that will overlook Port Phillip Bay The proposed homes will have separate addresses but will be connected by a series of communal areas with access from a single driveway the plans include four living and dining areas a pavilion for entertaining and 26 car spaces It is unclear from the plans if the houses are intended as permanent residences or a holiday getaway The council granted a permit for the development in April but neighbouring residents have lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to stop it going ahead “The site is clearly capable of accommodating three dwellings however the scale of the development is at odds with the physical constraints of the site,” said one neighbour in a letter filed with VCAT “The subject land is on a considerable gradient and … the large footprint basement and floor plates results in the need for extensive excavation.” Another objector said in a written submission that an “entire wish list has been crammed onto the available land” Mario Verrocchi started the Chemist Warehouse business in the 1990s.Credit: Eamon Gallagher “The stakeholders who have the misfortune to live adjacent to such a large project .. must endure the construction activity and live with the result afterwards during occupancy.” Company documents show the five properties are owned by 286 Esplanade Pty Ltd which is directed by Verrocchi and his brothers their parents bought one of the properties in the 1980s with the other four pieces of land acquired over the past two decades at a cost of more than $6 million The origins of the Chemist Warehouse empire dates back to 1980 when Mario Verrocchi got a job working for pharmacist brothers Jack and Sam Gance at a Reservoir chemist which has expanded to more than 500 stores across Australia The Australian Financial Review estimated last year that the Verrocchis’ wealth had grown to $3.16 billion with the company currently attempting a blockbuster merger with Sigma Healthcare The Mount Martha land is not the only property in the area owned by the Verrocchis The family emerged in 2020 as the buyers of Mount Eliza’s famed Morning Star Estate which includes a 12-hectare vineyard and a helipad and 63 hectares with beach frontage was described by real estate agents as the “Downton Abbey” of Australia The Verrocchi family was contacted for comment The Mount Martha application is set for a hearing at VCAT in December The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here \\u201CThe site is clearly capable of accommodating three dwellings however the scale of the development is at odds with the physical constraints of the site,\\u201D said one neighbour in a letter filed with VCAT \\u201CThe subject land is on a considerable gradient and \\u2026 the large footprint basement and floor plates results in the need for extensive excavation.\\u201D Another objector said in a written submission that an \\u201Centire wish list has been crammed onto the available land\\u201D \\u201CThe stakeholders who have the misfortune to live adjacent to such a large project .. must endure the construction activity and live with the result afterwards during occupancy.\\u201D The Australian Financial Review estimated last year that the Verrocchis\\u2019 wealth had The family emerged in 2020 as the buyers of Mount Eliza\\u2019s famed Morning Star Estate was described by real estate agents as the \\u201CDownton Abbey\\u201D of Australia The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories The beach box at 35 Hawkers Beach has come up for sale It’s the ultimate beachfront property you can’t sleep in A two-storey beach box that is one of the largest on the Mornington Peninsula has hit the market Nestled along Hawker Beach in Mount Martham this beach box has listed with $500,000 price hopes after being in the same family since the 1970s Woodards Real Estate Dromana director Darren Sadler said he believed there weren’t any other double storey beach boxes available in Victoria RELATED: Unbelievable $900k boat shed sale doubles town record Hains’ ‘prettiest house in Toorak’ sells for whopping $40m Inside Jefferson Ford founder’s 30-year, six-home compound its actually got proper boat storage underneath,” Mr Sadler said “It’s private and secluded; it is in a great spot for fishing and there’s a lot of people who fish off the rocks out the front of it catching calamari and whiting.” He said that there was a boat ramp about 80m away that was a perfect place to launch kayaks you could just walk your kayak a couple of metres up the road He added that a sink was put in the beach box which they used for cleaning fish Mr Sadler said the vendors were only selling because it wasn’t getting used enough with his family living in Melbourne “It’s something a little bit unique,” he said He said beach boxes continued to “climb in value” with a few sales in the area selling for more than $600,000 This comes as a Blairgowrie boat shed sold for a whopping $900,000 in February which blew the suburb’s previous beach box benchmark out of the water by $525,000 a Portsea beach box advertised with a $900,000-$990,000 asking range sold in the same month for an undisclosed amount which industry sources put at the $950,000 mark Mr Sadler said beach boxes were no longer being made and continued to climb in value believing they were “pretty good investment” Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Girl who bought first home aged 6 gets epic windfall Sporting great’s house that hosted Bradman, Menzies for sale Renovated ‘70s Sorrento pad comes with boat mooring