A man has died after a car crashed into a tree in She Oaks on Sunday the second fatal crash in the region in days Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) is listed for sale with price hopes from $270,000 to $295,000 Decrepit public housing properties have been listed for sale in Geelong’s north with a warning to potential buyers wanting to look inside and are scheduled for public auction on March 15 and March 22 Windows have been boarded up on most of the houses stained walls and ceilings and kitchens and bathrooms that have been destroyed RELATED: Boarded up, gutted homes spark ‘insane’ interest Geelong suburbs to be hit with biggest rent rises revealed Geelong suburbs where mortgage holders are most under stress listed the properties warning buyers wanting to look inside to wear boots and bring a “proper” torch The homes dating back to the 1950s are being sold off with price hopes as low as $270,000 there’s people actively engaging with me and showing interest wanting copies of contracts and things like that,” Mr Hardman said The larger properties, with blocks up to 738sq m were attracting interest as potential multi-home sites is listed for sale with price hopes rom $270,000 to $295,000 The two-bedroom house at 22 Swallow Crescent is listed for sale with price hopes from $285,000 to $310,000 but they structurally seem OK – I think the boards are there mostly to keep people out,” Mr Hardman said “I’ve been in a couple with syringes and things like that so the torch on your phone won’t cut it – you need a proper torch There is a lot of work to be done in each of them.” Homes Victoria confirmed the houses were built between 68 and 73 years ago were in a poor condition and weren’t accessible nor met the needs of renters The sales were part of an ongoing program to refresh and renew the social housing portfolio to ensure it continues to meet the needs of renters and community “These homes in Norlane were built around 70 years ago and no longer meet the needs of our renters,” a Homes Victoria spokesman said “Every dollar that comes from this sale will be reinvested into improving and renewing social housing we’ve invested more than $480 million to build 807 modern and accessible homes – more than half of these have already been completed.” So far 436 homes have been completed and another 371 homes still to come The latest Homes Victoria Rental Report showed rents the median rent for a three-bedroom house rising 5.3 per cent in Corio to $395 a week and in North Geelong rising 4.4 per cent to $470 a week Local real estate agents said a significant number of privately-owned rental homes are being sold off in the area as owners look to escape rising costs fuelled by the state government’s hike in land tax and compliance costs reducing the amount of private rental stock available 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. The Allan Labor Government is continuing to make care more accessible in Norlane - delivering a new state-of-the-art MRI machine at Barwon Health North so more locals can get the scans they need Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne joined Member for Lara Ella George to visit the Norlane campus to view the new MRI machine made possible thanks to a $2.9 million grant from the Labor Government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) this funding also helped to deliver a new service area fit-out and a radio-frequency shield to support safe and effective operation for healthcare workers and patients An MRI machine is an important diagnostic tool for doctors - using strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissue such as organs and muscles which are used to investigate or diagnose conditions such as cancer This latest machine at Barwon Health North brings the total number of MRI machines for publicly funded screening services in the region to five - reducing wait times and reducing travel time for local families Building on other critical healthcare investments - including upgraded operating theatres a wireless cardiac monitoring system and new emergency department equipment - this latest project brings the Labor Government's total RHIF support for Barwon Health to more than $19.8 million The RHIF - now worth $790 million - provides important funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria so these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities the Labor Government has helped to support more than 677 projects for regional health services - the largest investment ever dedicated to our rural and regional health services More information on grant program guidelines or submitting future funding applications can be found by visiting vhba.vic.gov.au As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne "By investing in new equipment and infrastructure upgrades like this MRI machine at Barwon Health North we're ensuring that all Victorians can access the care they need "RHIF is an important initiative that is helping to improve our regional health services now and for the future - supporting both patients and the dedicated staff who care for them." As stated by the Member for Lara Ella George "Whether it's a scan for treatment or surgery we're making it easier for residents in Geelong's north to get the care they require sooner getting them better and back on their feet." A first-home buyer was among the people to secure one of nearly a dozen ex-public housing properties sold in Geelong’s northern suburbs with plans to renovate which included a number of 1950s weatherboard houses and vacant blocks each sold through auction or expression of interest campaigns that concluded prior to Easter behind Labuan Square that previously housed a block of units RELATED: How the housing crisis is hitting your humble glass of milk More Geelong suburbs in reach if home lending rules are relaxed $90m apartment project on Barwon River approved Norlane sold to a first-home buyer for $370,000 One Agency listing agent Mark Mitchell said other than the first-home buyer who paid $370,000 for a three-bedroom house at 13 Salvia St the purchasers were renovators and developers The best result was $462,000 for a home at 9C Nerine Court, Norlane where the three-bedroom house occupies a 935sq m block “They’re going renovate that and then lease it out,” Mr Mitchell said “A few blocks of land are more than likely going to be used as rooming homes Buyers who pushed the price for this two-bedroom house at 1C Nerine Court Mr Mitchell said the low purchase prices meant ex-public housing stock was attractive for renovators He said buyers could end up with a renovated house on a big suburban block for less than $460,000 if the landed one of these properties in Norlane It would cost them more money to build something new and is only costing between $15,000 and $18,000 or so to knock them down but a couple of 100 grand-plus to build something “They’re paying per home on average $370,000 across the board I’d say they’ll be adding $18,000 to $20,000 in stamp duty “And then if they spend $30,000 to $60,000 (to renovate) they still have a really good buy and they’ve got potential to be something higher down the track as there is potential growth.” The renovated three-bedroom house at 3 Zinnia St sold for $492,888 in March and is now available for rent for $450 a week which owners claiming a rental yield above 4.5 per cent The median asking rent in Norlane is $398 a week with renovated original 1950s homes available between $380 and $450 a week Mr Mitchell said the beauty is the properties can be subdivided down the track also Homes Victoria has earned close to $9m through the sale of more than 20 ex-public housing properties across Norlane Geelong agent Glenn Hardman handled the sale of 11 homes in March Mr Mitchell said the revenue generated for Homes Victoria is used to purchase new public housing stock The festival will showcase Geelong's Norlane ARC as a venue available to local organisations food trucks and a variety of performances will descend on the Norlane ARC auditorium tonight (March 21) for the Northern Nights Festival the free event aims to bring the community together for an evening of vibrant Local musician Taylor Henderson will headline the event while performers including Baraka the Kid Lara Secondary College and more will join him on stage Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said it was a highly anticipated event “We are very excited about the upcoming Northern Nights Festival,” he said “It’s a free event for the whole family but it also showcases our city’s incredible small businesses and helps to generate economic activity in the north.” The event supports local vendors with plenty on offer for people of all ages while also supporting the city’s economic growth and community spirit The festival is an opportunity to showcase the Norlane ARC auditorium as a new venue and accessible hub that can be used by local organisations Councillor Anthony Aitken said the festival also connects the community to the facility “The auditorium at the Norlane ARC is an amazing asset for the people of Geelong and being located in Norlane makes many of us who come from the north extremely proud,” he said For more information and the full list of entertainment and vendors, head to geelongaustralia.com.au Investing in ex-public housing has merit for a business that’s multiplied two old properties into 18 affordable homes dubbed “micro apartments” in Norlane Your Home Studio Living has bought two 70-year old ex-commission houses to build new rooming house style studio apartments Director Patrick Barry said there are two at Norlane and they’re on the lookout to build more in Geelong with a goal of adding 2000 rooms to Victoria’s permanent affordable rental pool RELATED: ‘War-time response’: Aus’ ominous home crisis call Luxury 13-bedroom Torquay estate fit for a sheik listed for sale Buyers seize chance for growth as rent hikes slow in Geelong The Your Home Studio Living has built two rooming houses in Norlane Geelong state MP Christine Couzens and Your Home Studio Living director Patrick Barry and the Salvation Army’s Janny Monterosso and Jennifer Parrot particularly at Norlane where the old blocks are large A rooming house with up to 10 habitable rooms doesn’t require planning approval Mr Barry said he and friend and business partner Tom Howgate came together four year ago thinking how can they combine their financial services and property skills to benefit the community “With our own money we took a pretty big risk and we delivered these rooming houses and we found that they rented out very quickly,” he said The ex-commission home was demolished to make way for the new development at Norlane The Your Home Studio Living rooming house has opened in Norlane The 28sq m one-bedroom studio apartments have their own shower and bathrooms We’ve got hotel-style acoustic walls so people can’t hear It’s a real sense of community we’ve created in those homes.” The homes surround shared kitchen facilities and rent for about $320 a week “It’s targeted to the market where people can’t afford to sort of rent a single unit on their own,” he said “We’ve had people crying when we said here’s a room – it’s impacts investing that we’ve tried to do where we have a meaningful social and environmental outcome but also have a sustainable business model,” Mr Barry said Geelong state MP Christine Couzens said the property was impressive “We need a whole range of different housing options for people giving back to the community,” Ms Couzens said secure housing and that’s exactly what they have done “The visit I had was so impressive and talking to the tenants Ms Couzens said housing needs have changed “We’ve got lots of single people out there “They just want a place that’s easy to look after provides that secure and safe housing and it’s affordable.” Buyers agents after a bargain on behalf of interstate purchasers were on it force across Norlane as five ex-public housing properties were snapped up at auctions The properties netted nearly $1.7m in total for the state government public housing authority Homes Victoria as individual buyers secured the rundown original 1950s commission homes in Geelong’s northern suburbs who handled the campaigns to sell the properties said the homes would likely return to the private rental market after buyers completed renovations RELATED: Western Beach home earns top price in waterfront sale How homebuyers can break in to Geelong’s best suburbs for less The combined auction results netted a premium of almost $150,000 for Homes Victoria as bidding from multiple parties pushed prices well above expectations in some cases The best result was $401,000 for a 715sq m property at 19 Brooks St, Norlane – $51,000 above the $320,000 to $352,000 price expectations All the sales were well below the $453,000 median house price in Norlane or buyers agents from Sydney for the auctions,” Mr Hardman said “Every one of those that we just sold are planning on renovations “People are perceiving value there to do what they are planning ongoing My understanding is they’re going to be renting them out Six more properties in Corio and North Geelong go to auction this weekend Mr Hardman had previous said some of the properties were candidates for multi-unit sites were put up for sale with windows boarded up on most of the houses Mr Hardman had put a blanket warning on the properties listed for sale that people inspecting should wear boots and bring a proper torch stained walls and ceilings and kitchens and bathrooms that have been destroyed in some of the homes Mr Hardman said he had seen syringes at some of the properties Homes Victoria earlier confirmed the houses were built between 68 and 73 years ago were in a poor condition and weren’t accessible nor met the needs of renters today “Every dollar that comes from this sale will be reinvested into improving and renewing social housing,” a Homes Victoria spokesman said A man is in hospital after suffering a stab wound on the Princes Highway on Friday A pair of thieves who threatened a woman with a knife and a fake gun as her young son begged them not to hurt her have pleaded guilty to crimes across Geelong This is probably not the page you’re looking for Three people with underworld links have been arrested in Geelong following a blitz by specialist police A Norlane man has been denied bail after he allegedly masturbated naked out the front of his home earlier this year The women-only sessions are designed to encourage more women to get active THE Norlane ARC will trial a women’s-only swimming and gym program to help women of all multicultural backgrounds and abilities feel comfortable Sport and Leisure team is encouraging more women to get active with the introduction of “Gym and Swim Sundays” Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken said it was important for residents to have access to a safe and inclusive space for exercise including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds don’t exercise as often as men our Community Activation Plan for the Norlane ARC identified a need for women-only access to the facility in line with the cultural and religious beliefs from our local Iranian During the sessions there will be women-only access to the warm water pool fully equipped gym and small group training The pool will also be staffed solely by female employees during the trial who chairs the council’s Inclusion and Care portfolio said the sessions were a chance for women to take time out and care for themselves “Exercise and community connection does wonders for our health and wellbeing and is well worth the effort “We’re offering exclusive gym and pool access to women of all backgrounds to challenge the barriers that exist for females staying active.” The program will run on the final Sunday of each month until November from 6pm until 7.30pm $8.80 for participants or $6.70 for concession Bookings for the trial program are not essential but can be made at membership.geelongaustralia.com.au/WomensOnlyProgram Sport and Leisure team will trial a ‘women only’ swimming and gym program ‘Gym & Swim Sundays’ aims to help women (aged 10 and over) of all multicultural backgrounds and abilities to feel comfortable exercising and enjoy its health benefits Between 6pm and 7.30pm on Sunday September 19 there will be women-only access to: warm water pool; 25 metre lap pool; spa sauna and steam room; fully equipped gym; small group training (Motivate30 session in gym); all-female staff; accessible change facilities Inclusion and Care portfolio chair councillor Sarah Hathway Windermere Ward said Gym & Swim Sundays were a chance for women to take the time to care for themselves “Exercise and community connection does wonders for our health and wellbeing “We’re offering exclusive gym and pool access to women of all backgrounds to challenge the barriers that exist for females staying active the centre will be staffed solely by female employees.” Members of Norlane ARC can attend at no cost otherwise participants will be charged $8.80 (adult) or $6.70 (concession) Promotions of the pilot program have been translated into Arabic Bookings are not essential but can be made at membership.geelongaustralia.com.au/WomensOnlyProgram AAPAAP Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has hit back at Bailey Smith after the Geelong star fired an unprompted shot at his old club ahead… A Norlane baby’s health battle has helped contribute to significant research which will help babies like him in the future A Norlane woman has described the harrowing moment she narrowly escaped a devastating house fire Police are investigating after a woman was found in the middle of the road in Norlane on Sunday morning They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us A Norlane man was treated for smoke inhalation and glass cuts after bravely entering a burning Norlane house to rescue a neighbour he thought was inside Occupation: Teacher at Northern Bay College P-12 Community involvement: I’m a school teacher in Corio I play soccer for Corio Bay Cobras SC in Norlane and have always been an advocate for the community hence why I work Associated with a political party or movement I am an independent candidate with no political association or membership My budget is a modest $2,700 (mostly printing Doing the letterboxing myself with some help from friends and family Three most important issues in your council or ward Youth Engagement – work with community centres Accessibility to Services – making it affordable and easy to use council facilities 3 Rejuvenate Corio Ward as it is the Gateway to Geelong Corio Model Railway Club president Bruce Mellett and secretary Des Kelly are preparing for the 50th instalment of the exhibition MODEL railway enthusiasts will have the opportunity to feast their eyes on plenty of layouts at the 50th annual Corio Model Railway Exhibition next weekend about 14 layouts will fill the Norlane ARC Model railway club president Bruce Mellett said the exhibition was a chance for his club to showcase what model railway was all about and hoped people will gain an understanding of how diverse the hobby is “It’s just a demonstration of what we can do as one of the longest running model railway clubs in the state we’re pretty proud of that,” he said Exhibitors are coming for the annual exhibition from across Victoria along with South Australia and New South Wales Trains will run on different style layouts with model displays also set up and visitors provided with the opportunity to discuss everything about the hobby with club members The 2025 event will be the first year it has been held in the Norlane ARC and will provide the club with more floor space The club was formed in the 1970s and now has about 35 members ranging from 18 years of age up to almost 90 it’s a lot more technical and there’s a lot more dimension to it rather than just simply running a train around a track,” Mr Mellett said “A lot of it now is very much electronic and computer controlled; a lot of the young kids get into it because they can almost design their own bits and pieces and there’s a bit of 3D printing involved now.” The exhibition will run from 10am until 5pm on both days with entry $10 for adults and $5 for children under 16 For more information, head to coriomrc.org A weatherboard home in Norlane has been destroyed in a suspicious fire overnight