The Redcape reshuffle rolls on with the group’s twice-owned Wattle Grove Hotel becoming the next step in the northward expansion of Melbourne-based Francis Group This is the second Redcape Hotel Group (RHG) acquisition by the southerners, headed up by Tom Francis, following their purchase of the Kings Head Tavern in South Hurstville earlier this year “We wish Tom and Francis Venues all the best as they continue their expansion into the NSW market and are confident they will continue to prosper with the Wattle Grove Hotel along with Kings Head,” offered Redcape MD Chris Unger It is second sale this week for the pub fund, after passing the Vauxhall Hotel in Granville to Orion for $42 million “These transactions position Redcape well to continue the execution of our strategy as the broader pub sector continues to perform well,” furthered Unger which sold the freehold of the Wattle Grove to the Malouf family in 2010 for around $8.6 million Early 2018, following NLG’s demise, Redcape bought back the freehold going concern for $25 million The asset holds a midnight liquor licence and keeps 25 gaming machines with an almost exclusive trading catchment and the only retail liquor outlet in Wattle Grove It is attached to the Coles-anchored Wattle Grove Shopping Village efficient layout requiring minimal staffing Adding to its stable of seven Victorian venues Francis Group continues its northbound expansion and now taking Wattle Grove for around $31 million Francis says this marks a significant milestone in the plan “We were never going to buy just one,” he explains The second-generation hotelier says he has looked extensively in Queensland without finding opportunities that he could both make work and were actually available for purchase Francis laments that Victoria is currently under a cloud of reforms with no direction and the looming possibility of carded gaming He says this has put a damper on the state’s hospitality activity and capex while it is not a good time to invest The group’s move into NSW began with the Kings head and Francis was attracted to similarities between Wattle Grove and their Summerhill Hotel in Reservoir which also benefits from being part of a shopping centre with anchor tenants “I had thought Sydney was too ‘capped out’ “But I hadn’t looked at the whole scenario and were a similar model to our other businesses.” Francis added that he liked the open transparency and professionalism of buying from large such as with Redcape and previously Zagame RHG has executed a concerted and strategic sell-down over the course of the past year, shedding assets in Queensland and Sydney, with proceeds said to be earmarked for priority redemptions, after Moelis froze them in August last year this week RHG also declared it is in due diligence to spend around $120 million acquiring new assets said to be “higher yielding” with apparently more favourable “risk return characteristics” MA Financial has conceded it is “aware a redemption backlog” may exist and that investors in its RHG vehicle “may seek to crystallise some of their investment” which it knows might put a damper on its “prospects of future new equity” being invested The combined $73 million proceeds from the latest sales adding to over $300 million in assets divested in the past year will reportedly pay out “priority redemptions” for select long-term investors “The two hotel properties HTL Property sold to Francis Venues were done so on behalf of our client Redcape Hotel Group and illustrate both the attractiveness of NSW hotels to the interstate buyer universe as well as the materially improved investor sentiment pertaining to the asset class,” noted HTL Property MD Andrew Jolliffe who brokered the transaction alongside colleague Dan Dragicevich “These transactions shine a light on the ongoing appetite for assets with strong underlying trading fundamentals in locations underpinned by irrefutable growth narratives,” added McDonald A product of The Information CollectiveACN All Rights Reserved © 2025 | Privacy Policy This is probably not the page you’re looking for The distinct shapes of banksia leaves and the colours of the environment have been painted on a Water Corporation pump station in Wattle Grove to turn it into a giant work of art As part of Water Corporation's Splash of Colour program Helena Valley artist Leanne Bray worked with Wattle Grove Primary School year 2 students with the children cutting out the shapes of banksia leaves and layering them on cardboard to create their own mural Splash of Colour artworks have been created on Water Corporation water and wastewater infrastructure since 2017 More than 75 installations across Western Australia tell local stories of water and how it interacts with the land The Wattle Grove mural shows the beauty and resilience of waterwise plants that flourish in the local environment and the importance of water as a valued resource The Splash of Colour program is part of the Cook Government's Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2) which aims to establish Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) as leading waterwise cities by 2030 Water Corporation is working with local communities to strengthen community connection to local water stories and the environment visit: www.watercorporation.com.au/About-us/In-the-community/Splash-of-Colour(link is external) "It's fantastic to see a faded Wattle Grove pump station turned into a stunning artwork that reflects the colours and nature of the surrounding neighbourhood "Having experienced one of the driest and hottest summers ever it's fitting that we are inspired by a water story that shows the relationship of water to local native flora that has thrived for thousands of years in hot we need to look to nature to show us how to keep our environment green and cool we've worked with communities across the State to bring local water stories to life on more than 75 Water Corporation assets." "This artwork reminds us of the beauty of our local environment and how we can maintain it without the need for excessive water "The children of Wattle Grove Primary School should be proud of their contribution to turning this building which was something of an eyesore to its neighbours having local children involved in the program helps them learn about the relationship between water and plants STANDOUT features come in all shapes and sizes Homelands Property sales manager Amber Leighton described the repurposed cauldron as an unforgettable feature and a fan-favourite for short-stay guests “It is a highly Instagrammable feature,” she said “Many people booked a stay at Sacred Hearts just to experience it.” MORE: Massive inquiry for $80m Macquarie Place ahead of launch Tassie’s best site for a hospitality, accommodation venture? Ms Leighton listed No.474 at “Offers over $1.45m” and promptly sold it for $1.5m in just three weeks on the market This was Tasmania’s No.1 highest sale of the past week Ms Leighton said the property had been purchased by someone living outside of Tasmania currently but with family ties to our state with the main dwelling being so different stylistically from the accommodation which meant it caught the eye of a wider range of potential buyers,” she said “The off-grid element appealed to everyone.” While the accommodation, Sacred Hearts a beautifully little church sitting at the top of a hill It was clear from the first day of construction that it was going to be something special,” Ms Leighton said “One of the owners is a wedding celebrant and had the idea of being able to offer ceremonies and accommodation for the bride and groom from the one destination.” The building was a labour of love for the owners who personally selected many of the reclaimed materials that have been incorporated to create the charm of a historic building From the intricately detailed temple doors that welcome guests to the soaring cathedral ceilings that grace the inside every inch of Sacred Hearts is simply beautiful Among the highlights are the local blacksmith-made towel hooks The view from here is just as impressive as it is from the main house and is available from almost every room The main dwelling is positioned almost on the crest of the hill in a sun-soaked location with more epic views that look like landscape paintings The bespoke kitchen has been finished with pressed metal features and foraged stone hardware there is a private courtyard and lawn area Fossils can be seen along the exposed rock wall and many fenced paddocks complete the picture 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. Two women have been hospitalised after a car crashed into a daycare centre in southwest Sydney Two women have been taken to hospital after a car crashed into a daycare centre in Sydney's southwest The incident occurred around 5.30pm on Thursday in Wattle Grove A hatchback appeared to have mounted a kerb and crossed a footpath and lawn before crashing into Wattle Grove Long Day Care Centre on Burdekin Court in Wattle Grove The emergency response included NSW Police Two women - one aged in her 20s and the other aged in her 60s - were both taken to Liverpool Hospital It is not yet known what their current condition is No children are understood to have been injured in the incident a medical episode may have caused the crash The frightening incident comes just days after a mother-of-two was killed when a car ploughed into a pre-school in Victoria's Macedon Rangers A McKenzie water truck crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek died at the scene after she was struck by the vehicle however she has been hailed a "hero" as she is understood to have potentially saved children's lives with quick thinking to move them out of the way before the vehicle crashed The 68-year-old truck driver reportedly suffered a medical episode and was taken to hospital for observation This Western Australian hotspot is attracting residents looking to cut out the bustle of the big city and embrace the hustle of a thriving small town Wattle Grove is one of the suburbs listed in Smart Property Investment’s FAST 50 report for 2025 The report and ranking drew on the insights of a 12-strong investment expert panel and recent housing performance drawn from open-source data, which aim to give unparalleled insights into the Australian suburbs that are set for future growth If you check the box above before you log in you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return even if you close your browser and come back later Located 17 kilometres south-east of Perth’s CBD Wattle Grove blends the greenery and comfort of semi-rural living with the benefit of easy metropolitan access The lifestyle it offers is not going unnoticed by inner-city dwellers looking to make a move who have been increasingly drawn to its small town charm the cost of an average detached dwelling sits under Perth’s median of $955,000 Wattle Grove’s history as a suburb stretches back to the early 19th century where the area’s suitability for farming saw its expanses used for the planting of orchards with fruit growing still a major industry within Wattle Grove to this day Agriculture continues to have a significant presence within Wattle Grove hobby farms and pet kennels only representing a handful of the many types of farming practised in the area Even with the area’s strong ties to the agricultural industry Wattle Grove nonetheless features a convenient array of amenities well-suited for families and professionals alike Wattle Grove offers a range of education facilities with the area serviced by Wattle Grove Primary School the private Bible College of Western Australia and a Community TAFE Centre located on Lewis Road The nearby Hartfield Park Recreation Centre caters towards a vast range of extracurricular activities providing gymnasium facilities as well as grounds for holding AFL Although the area only features one major retail facility the Wattle Grove Shopping Centre nonetheless stands as a convenient one-stop location that contains various groceries pet shops and veterinarian clinics among its variety of stores Wattle Grove also benefits from being exceedingly well-connected to other regions of Perth in having close proximity to both the greater Roe and Tonkin Highways and access to Welshpool Road and Shepperton Road which offer the most direct route to the Perth central business district Wattle Grove provides services for travelling near and far in the area being serviced by a number of comprehensive local bus routes in addition to Wattle Grove being closely located to the Perth Airport With the area’s market featuring a dynamic mix of modern residences and spacious family homes there’s plenty of choice for owner-occupiers looking for a new home or investors hoping to find the perfect match for their property portfolio Check out which other suburbs made the cut in the FAST 50 2025 report here Copyright © 2007-2025 Smart Property Investment CITY of Kalamunda has received a development application for a childcare and an allied health facility and residents are being invited to comment The new facility is planned to contain a dental service Neighbouring the health facility is the proposed childcare development which will sit on the corner facing Hale Road and Wimbridge Road The childcare is planned to operate with a capacity for 84 children and 17 staff members A planning report produced by Dynamic Planning and Developments said the proposal will include the development of a car parking area providing 11 bike racks and 61 parking spaces with five reserved for ACROD parking and five for pick up and drop off use The overall new development will require 114 bays for parking but there is a 53-bay shortfall on paper that will need to be addressed It has been proposed that 43 trees will be planted within the site 14 of which will operate as primary shade trees for vehicle parking The application is being assessed by the City of Kalamunda and will be determined by the metro outer joint development assessment panel (JDAP) Residents can provide comment and access more information about the proposal, including the full planning report, through the Engage Kalamunda portal The feedback portal is open and will close at 5pm on Friday MIDLAND Detectives have charged a 32-year-old man with a number of offences in relation to an evade police incident ending in Henley Brook that occurred on Friday police sighted the man driving a stolen grey Ford Ranger Utility on the Mitchell Freeway in Gwelup it will be alleged the man failed to stop and drove recklessly to evade police exiting the freeway and continuing north onto Erindale Road Police air wing assisted in tracking the vehicle throughout various suburbs before a stinger device was deployed on West Swan Road in Henley Brook The male was taken into custody and has since been charged with stealing reckless driving to escape pursuit by police driver of a vehicle fail to comply with a direction to stop possess a prohibited drug and fail to comply with a request to give police personal details It will be further alleged the man stole the vehicle from an address on Balsam Mews in Aveley on Thursday He appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday August 17 where he was remanded in custody to appear in Midland Magistrates Court via video link on September 10 for a mention MIDLAND detectives are seeking information regarding the recent stealing of copper cables and wires from alongside Tonkin Highway Reid Highway and the adjacent cycle paths in Midland and surrounding suburbs incidents which have left hazards for members of the public have left live electrical wires exposed on light poles and general darkness due to lighting being left unserviceable The investigations into the incidents are ongoing Anyone who sees suspicious activity involving people accessing electrical cabling in the vicinity of the main roads and cycle paths is asked to call Police immediately on 131 444 MIDLAND detectives have charged a third person in relation to a serious assault which occurred at a cultural festival in Wattle Grove on Saturday two groups of people attending the Diwali Mela festival at the Abruzzo Molise Sporting Club became involved in an altercation The incident occurred between the clubhouse and the playground a 22-year-old man was struck to the head with a metal object The man received a skull fracture and was taken by St John WA to Royal Perth Hospital for surgery Two men have previously been charged in relation to this incident and remain before the courts a 37-year-old Helena Valley man was charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or prevent arrest wounded or caused grievous bodily harm He appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday anyone with information in relation to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestopperswa.com.au Anyone who attended the festival and has any relevant vision can upload it direct to detectives via: https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/comm unity-request/public/wattlegroveseriousassault Police want anyone with information regarding the below incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or you can can make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au MAJOR crash investigation officers are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Mundaring on Monday a white Mitsubishi Pajero travelling east on Great Eastern Highway and a silver Toyota Landcruiser travelling in the same direction were involved in a collision The 52-year-old male driver of the Mitsubishi Pajero was taken to Midland Hospital but died due to his injuries The 74-year-old male driver of the Toyota Landcruiser was uninjured Major crash investigators are conducting an examination of the scene and are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link OFFICERS from the major crash investigation section are investigating a fatal crash which occurred earlier this week in Wattle Grove on Monday a white Holden Commodore sedan was travelling east on Welshpool Road East when it left the roadway and crashed into a tree The 21-year-old male driver died at the scene Major crash investigators are appealing for any witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814 which temporarily froze redemptions last year is reaping a total $73 million for the freehold going concerns – a blended yield of about seven per cent The priciest asset – the Vauxhall Inn at Granville Redcape paid $40m in 2018 to Bondi Asset Management led by former Citibank director Stuart King and hotelier Mr Savas and Mr Wiggins outlaid $28m for the Chatswood Hotel Ben McDonald and Kate MacDonald brokered both off-market deals (story continues below) The second property Redcape divested – Liverpool’s Wattle Grove – found favour with Melbourne’s Francis Venues Francis also acquired South Hurstville’s Kings Head Tavern from Redcape At c$26m – that result was a $1m drop on what the vendor paid in late 2019 Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login Police are looking for a man who committed an indecent act on a bus in Armadale The incident occurred on the number 221 bus that departed the Armadale Train Station at 2.30pm last Friday During the journey a male bus passenger committed an indecent act whilst sitting next to a female passenger Armadale Detectives are seeking information from the public and believe the person pictured may be able to assist with the investigation Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au Major Crash Investigators are urging members of the public to come forward and provide any possible mobile or dashcam footage following a fatal accident that occurred on Monday a 21-year-old male driver was killed when his white Holden Commodore sedan veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree Investigators are seeking any relevant video evidence or eyewitness accounts moments leading up to or following the crash, to assist with their investigation. Witnesses or those with footage are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au Additionally, footage can be submitted directly to investigators via this link https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/carvtreefatalwattlegrove Road Policing Command are seeking public assistance in regards to a reckless driving incident that occurred in Riverton earlier this year a motorcyclist travelling on Leach Highway was captured riding at 115 km/h in a 70 km/h zone allegedly exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h Police are encouraging anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via www.crimestoppers.wa.com.au Police are looking for a woman who threatened supermarket staff with her dog in Camillo a woman paid for some grocery items at the front counter of a supermarket store on Westfield Road in Camillo When asked by the staff member to take out other items from her bag for payment the woman became agitated and left the store Around five minutes later the woman returned to the store with a dog and threatened to have her dog bite the staff member Police have released CCTV images of a woman who they believe may be able to assist with their investigation between 35 to 45 years of age with blonde hair tied back She was wearing a black t-shirt with ‘The Media Is The Virus’ printed on the front sunglasses and was carrying a grey shoulder bag If you have any information about the identity of this woman or details of this offence please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au You can remain anonymous if you wish and rewards are available once charges are laid Get your Local Examiner Digital Edition straight to your InboxName*Email* Are You a Human THE company behind a funeral parlour proposal for Wattle Grove says it has been working diligently with the council while residents are now petitioning against it The proposal has been put forward by Seasons Funerals and is set to be located on 326 Hale Road – right next to the Wattle Grove and Hale Village shopping centres states that the development will be both a mix of single and double storey buildings with no crematorium onsite but there will be “interim storage of bodies in a refrigerated facility.” “This includes the collection of bodies from the place of death transfer of bodies to the facility in a purpose-built vehicle storage of the body whilst the required death documentation is processed and transfer to an offsite cremation facility of the family’s choosing,” the planning report said The parlour is expected to run from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday – with limited services on Saturday – from a 100-seat chapel The report said that “significant mature trees” will be kept with a loading area at the back of premises to ensure that the loading and unloading of bodies cannot be seen by the public But Wattle Grove resident Andrew Mullane said that residents within Wattle Grove would prefer that Season’s Funerals put their funeral parlour in the industrial area not right in the heart of the Wattle Grove community “We think it’s well beyond reasonable to expect us to put up with the scale of activities and the scale of the building right in the middle of our community,’’ he said Fellow resident Raj Pandian was also concerned about the site’s visibility to school children and questioned how a funeral parlour could benefit the community “We want something which can support the community Mr Pandian said his fellow residents have collected more than 700 signatures for their petition which they plan to present to council as soon as they can Seasons Funerals general manager Vanessa Wilson said they found the Hale Road site 12 months ago and have been working diligently with the City of Kalamunda to ensure it meets traffic impact and noise requirements as well as area suitability alongside the parlour being visually appealing “We appreciate the concerns the local community has raised and we understand their emotional response but we are like any other business,” she said THE City of Kalamunda council has refused a development application for a funeral home in Wattle Grove The officer’s recommendation was that the funeral parlour be approved however no other councillors would second Mayor Margaret Thomas’s motion to support the recommendation An alternate motion was then presented by councillor Brooke O’Donnell which recommended refusal The motion was seconded by councillor Mary Cannon and passed with all councillors in favour except for Mayor Thomas Cr O’Donnell said that councils should remain fearless when making planning decisions provided they have identified genuine planning considerations “The (State Administrative Tribunal) is a process that we can and may have to go through,” she said The proposed funeral parlour was set to be developed on Hale Road in Wattle Grove and would have been operated by Seasons Funerals Seasons Funeral general manager Vanessa Wilson said the company was extremely disappointed by the decision but also clearly heard the community’s concern with having a funeral parlour within the neighbourhood “We are a passive business that operates quietly and with dignity for the families we serve but we also understand the stigma that comes with being a funeral home,” she said “We’ve heard the community and respect their wishes.” In Wattle Grove residents petition against funeral parlour a petition against the proposal with over 700 signatures was due to be presented to council. At Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting, a further 18 signatures were added to the petition, bringing the total number of signatures to 784 residents against the development. with Top X Roma's Cyril Close and buyer Jacob Moore Picture: Ben Harden A returning commercial client from Rolleston has paid the top money at Wattle Grove Speckle Park sale at Beef 2024 All articles from our website & appThe digital version of This Week's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other agricultural news sites in your areaContinueHeld at the Rockhampton showgrounds on Wednesday evening offered 30 bulls and heifers and sold 23 lots for a 76 per cent clearance rate and sale average of $7239 while 11 of the 14 heifers sold for an average of $6954 Commercial buyers John and Katies McLaughlin of Rolleston paid the top price money for Wattle Grove My Party It was standing room only at the Wattle Grove Speckle Park sale at the Rockhampton Showgrounds at Beef '24 on Wednesday evening Picture: Ben Harden Sired by Wattle Grove 15R Ransom My Party was the first lot auctioned on the night The heaviest bull in the sale catalogue at 842 kilograms the 27-month-old bull was scanned at 131 square centimetres for eye muscle area and had an intramuscular fat percentage of 6.2 The second top price bull was Wattle Grove World Domination T757 a 20-month-old bull sired by Spots 'N Sprouts Drone 1050 and had an intramuscular fat percentage of 5.6 Mr Moore said they ran Speckle Park stud cattle at their property in New South Wales and the majority of their commercial cattle at Miles "We've bought a fair few of Wattle Grove genetics in the past and they always seem to do a good job for our operation," he said I was looking for a good performance heifer I wasn't expecting to purchase the lead heifer Mr Moore said they plan to put her through an AI program Following closely behind at $8000 were Wattle Grove Miss Kaiya and Wattle Grove Molly The sale was conducted by Top X and simulcast on StockLive which had 110 viewers and 35 registered bidders make a bid on 30pc of the sale catalogue Queensland Country Life reporter based in central Queensland. Got a story? Get in touch: 0437528907 or email ben.harden@austcommunitymedia.com.au Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Our twice weekly wrap of the latest in rural property sales. Our twice weekly wrap of the big news in the red meat sector. Industry news from Australia's dairy sector. The week's top stories curated by our news team. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time NRL player Manase Fainu has been found guilty of stabbing a Mormon youth leader in the back when a bloody brawl erupted in a Sydney church car park The Manly Sea Eagles hooker, 24, had denied plunging a knife into Faamanu Levi outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wattle Grove He pleaded not guilty to one count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm Sidelined Manly Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu leaves Parramatta District Court after the guilty verdict.Credit: Edwina Pickles the 12-person jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years behind bars with a standard non-parole period of seven years Fainu showed no obvious reaction to the verdict said would be appealed against “as a perverse verdict in view of the evidence” She had read her client passages from a Bible in the moments before the jury filed into the courtroom which was opposed by Cunneen who argued Fainu was not someone who could “fly under the radar” and said it was “impossible to imagine that he would breach any bail condition” ahead of sentencing She said her client was supported by a God-fearing community who would be devastated by Thursday’s outcome Two sheriff officers sat inside the courtroom on either side of the exit Judge Nanette Williams adjourned Fainu’s detention application until Monday morning She said it could not be determined on Friday due to planned industrial action by prison officers “Were I to form a view that the detention application is made good there’s simply no one to take Mr Fainu into custody Saturday and Sunday and is not to leave his address unless in the company of his mother and father who were among those in court to hear the verdict supported by fellow Manly player Josh Aloiai (centre) outside court last month.Credit: Wolter Peeters met by over 30 family and friends and flanked by security and Manly teammate Josh Aloiai “there’s nothing that he wants to say at this stage” Supporters of Fainu during his trial in Parramatta District Court included his agent Mario Tartak who appeared on the same day as the Sea Eagles’ game against the Roosters and was one of seven players to sit out after objecting to wearing a pride jersey The jury was told Fainu had not played NRL since 2019 under the code’s no-fault stand-down policy During his day in the stand Fainu claimed he had been at least 10 metres away from the brawl between his friends and Levi’s group had earlier been kicked out of a charity dance in the church hall where Faingaa said he intended to pick up money for a concreting job he jumped over a fence back onto church grounds expecting to collect the money himself adding that his NRL training was to walk away and not get involved knife” and claimed he did not know who stabbed the victim It is an agreed fact that Fainu had an operation on his left shoulder in September 2019 and was wearing a sling on the night of the stabbing He was captured on CCTV jumping back over the fence and picking his sling up off the ground who was stabbed in the back at a Mormon church dance.Credit: Rhett Wyman Levi gave evidence he and his best friend had walked two men to the front gate after a fight on the dance floor and told them to go home adding that one shook his head and replied ‘Come out and see what you want,’ but I said He said he had “never experienced this kind of thing” Levi felt a stab to his lower right shoulder and said he “was in pain that I can’t explain” His housemate, Tony Quach, said he saw Fainu holding a steak knife with a clenched fist his right arm bent at a 90-degree angle and his left arm in a sling Quach said he “recognised Manase” after the incident An Instagram screenshot of Manase Fainu in hospital after shoulder surgery in September 2019 Levi’s friend Kupi Toilalo was “adamant the person with the knife was the person with the sling”, Crown prosecutor Emma Curran had submitted Cunneen had said Fainu’s sling “drew the eye” and was a “distinguishing feature” of the group of five men but argued there was no one else’s DNA on it She told the jury her client had “really suffered by his position as a football player” “It was easy to blame it on him because some people knew him and the sling stood out.” Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wattle Grove said would be appealed against \\u201Cas a perverse verdict in view of the evidence\\u201D which was opposed by Cunneen who argued Fainu was not someone who could \\u201Cfly under the radar\\u201D and said it was \\u201Cimpossible to imagine that he would breach any bail condition\\u201D ahead of sentencing She said her client was supported by a God-fearing community who would be devastated by Thursday\\u2019s outcome Judge Nanette Williams adjourned Fainu\\u2019s detention application until Monday morning She said it could not be determined on Friday due to \\u201CTomorrow there is no point,\\u201D she said \\u201CWere I to form a view that the detention application is made good there\\u2019s simply no one to take Mr Fainu into custody She increased Fainu\\u2019s bail conditions \\u201Cthere\\u2019s nothing that he wants to say at this stage\\u201D who appeared on the same day as the Sea Eagles\\u2019 game against the Roosters and was one of seven players to sit out after objecting to wearing a pride jersey The jury was told Fainu had not played NRL since 2019 under the code\\u2019s no-fault stand-down policy Fainu claimed he had been at least 10 metres away from the brawl between his friends and Levi\\u2019s group including Uona \\u201CBig Buck\\u201D Faingaa and then he saw \\u201Clike a brawl going on\\u201D Fainu said he ran after hearing \\u201Cknife knife\\u201D and claimed he did not know who stabbed the victim this is a church activity,\\u201D Levi said \\u201CI don\\u2019t know who was calling out \\u2018Come out and see what you want,\\u2019 but I said we\\u2019re going back inside.\\u2019\\u201D Levi felt a stab to his lower right shoulder and said he \\u201Cwas in pain that I can\\u2019t explain\\u201D looking \\u201Cangry\\u201D as he stabbed Levi\\u2019s back Quach said he \\u201Crecognised Manase\\u201D after the incident Levi\\u2019s friend Kupi Toilalo was \\u201Cadamant the person with the knife was the person with the sling\\u201D Cunneen had said Fainu\\u2019s sling \\u201Cdrew the eye\\u201D and was a \\u201Cdistinguishing feature\\u201D of the group of five men but argued there was no one else\\u2019s DNA on it She told the jury her client had \\u201Creally suffered by his position as a football player\\u201D \\u201CIt was easy to blame it on him because some people knew him and the sling stood out.\\u201D Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens HIGHFIELDS is a home that makes a grand first impression The Property Culture co-founder Karl Gallienne described it as “a truly special location” MORE: Glimmer of rental hope for Hobart as options increase Waterfront resort-style home makes a luxurious splash Mr Gallienne said the three-bedroom house was originally built in 1987 and has been totally transformed into a Scandinavian-inspired home that ticks every box for energy efficiency so as you can imagine every part of the property is perfect,” Mr Gallienne said high-end design and workmanship on their own home has seen them published in Renew magazine care and consideration into every aspect of the home The house restoration has achieved a 6.4-star energy rating It is well insulated and double-glazed throughout The main heating is via an ESSY wood burner which has a wetback system heating the hot water Solar evacuated tubes also heat the hot water when the fire is not lit and this is backed up with electricity if required The passive solar design allows the sun to stream in trapping the warmth in the cooler months when the sun is low and shading the windows when it is high in the summer There is also a 3kW solar system on the roof low-maintenance native garden is complimented wonderfully with tasteful landscaping a path leads onto a curved walkway to the home The panoramic outlook grabs your attention as you round the corner on the deck that wraps around the northern side of the home Bi-folds seamlessly connect the inside with the outside while providing entry into the open-plan living space a practical boot room that makes a great entry foyer This also acts as a great airlock to the house with the ground floor featuring blackbutt boards The main bedroom has a private bathroom with a clawfoot bath and a walk-in shower The open-plan living zone is also on this level including a fantastic kitchen to inspire the home chef’s culinary creations Stairs linking the levels have a door to assist with controlling the amount of heat that rises to the upper level Two top floor bedrooms at either end of the landing offer unique views Mr Gallienne said the ideal buyer for Highfields could be someone that sees the value in the land just as much as the gorgeous house “The buyer might be someone who is recently retired and ready to downsize from a large farm — but they still want the option of having some animals and hobby farming,” he said with 14 acres of high quality prime pasture complete with new wallaby-proof fencing A large section of native forest sits in the bottom corner of the property and the remainder is left as roughage for the wildlife The farm offers multiple paddocks to rotate animals and a huge hay barn In the paddock there is a quaint cottage that was likely the original house on the property Mr Gallienne said it offered an opportunity for the next owner if they were looking for a restoration project “This old picker’s hut cottage is a beauty I’d imagine quite a few people would see its potential as a studio or perhaps holiday accommodation,” he said “Others might want to keep it as a museum piece.” there is a massive four-bay shed with a workshop This one is perfect for storage and ideal for entertaining large numbers just in case you have visitors or guests who might want to stay the night The sheds provide a huge surface area to collect rainwater which the property has no shortage of storing with 135,000L of tank storage available Highfields is located five-minutes from the cultural centre of Cygnet 15-20 minutes’ drive from the main hub at Huonville It is listed with The Property Culture at “Offers over $1.998m” selling for a sale high of $65,000 to Steve and Diep Atkins Photo - studstocksales.comStud producers may have come out on top at Wattle Grove Speckle Park's twilight sale in Toowoomba on Saturday but commercial cattlemen weren't shy about showing their interest or running up the price All articles from our website & appThe digital version of This Week's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other agricultural news sites in your areaContinueBringing their genetics to Queensland for a third time were rewarded for their efforts when the results far surpassed those of last year 29 sold to average $12,603 (up from $7222 in 2020) while all 25 heifers sold to average $16,360 ($9656) Described by stud principal Dale Humphries as a "standout from an early age" it was Wattle Grove Ba Da Boom Q127 that stole the spotlight Sired by Six Star Rare Commodity (AI) (ET) (Speckled) and out of Wattle Grove 13U Wilma H71 (AI) (ET) (P) (Black) the 17-month-old weighed 710 kilograms and measured 33 centimetres for scrotal circumference With an eye muscle area of 126 square centimetres the sire prospect boasted rib and rump fat of 8mm and 10mm respectively Making the trip specifically for Ba Da Boom Mr Atkins said seeing the bull in the flesh backed up what they already knew about him "We went deliberately to try and secure him and a handful of heifers and obviously getting him was a competitive process; at one stage there was six different groups bidding on him which is an indication that he was sought after," Mr Atkins said "We've got a herd of females together that we describe as being moderate in frame and we think that his size and shape and capacity fits nicely with that herd of females very high for a young bull and being well above average which we liked and we expect that he will continue to grow into being a really strong three-year-old bull." Mr Atkins said the sire prospect would complement their AI program really strong with famous bulls and all sorts of different genetics so we'll continue to AI our animals and we think having Ba Da Boom as part of our backup system to that The second-top price of $26,000 was achieved by the last bull to go under the hammer the 14-month-old tipped the scales at 451kg Sired by River Hill 60W Line Drive 54Z (AI) (Leopard) and out of Codiak Acres Attitudenous (Speckled) the youngster measured 28cm in the scrotum Demand didn't waver when it came time to sell the heifers and remained strong throughout that section of the catalogue The first heifer to be offered set the tone selling for the second-top price of $31,000 14-month-old Wattle Grove L275 Princess Wattle Q873 weighed 460kg Sired by Wattle Grove Smoke And Mirrors L275 (AI) (ET) (P) (Leopard) she was out of Wattle Grove 46Y Princess Wattle L229 (AI) (ET) (P) (Speckled) 14-month-old Wattle Grove 107D Marusa Q817 made the top heifer money of $36,000.It was the last heifer to be offered that garnered the top money of $36,000 14-month-old Wattle Grove 107D Marusa Q817 was sired by Codiak Monument GNK 107D (P) (White) with rump and rib fat of 7mm and 5mm respectively Mr Humphries said they'd had a huge amount of enquiry on the young heifer but she had still exceeded their expectations "We wanted to finish strong and wanted to finish with the best," he said "She's a bit of a younger heifer and a different type she's a little bit more moderate and what I would call very much a typical Speckle Park female "We thought she might not have had enough leg and enough frame for the Queenslanders All six embryo packages sold for an average of $2650/embryo topping at $3200/embryo for a package of three embryos from donor Moovin Zpotz Zola 23Z and AI sire Spots 'N Sprouts Drone 105D All four semen packages sold to average $514/straw topping at $980/straw for a package of six semen straws from Stands Alone bought by Cashmore Speckle Farms Mr Humphries said support from commercial buyers had been strong solid sale and we want to have strong animals going out there but we also want people to not be scared off by high prices and we still saw really good value "There was a big percentage of buyers that were commercial guys specifically buying females to breed bulls for their own program and that was the thing I think we haven't really seen before this "And that shows confidence from what we see as commercial guys have very much accepted the breed." there were 70 registered onsite bidders and 175 online bidders through Elite Livestock Auctions Today's top stories curated by our news team Our twice weekly wrap of the latest in rural property sales Our twice weekly wrap of the big news in the red meat sector Industry news from Australia's dairy sector The week's top stories curated by our news team Eric Kontos Who do you call when you want to get rid of carp and eel from a local lake And that’s exactly what Liverpool Council did when it decided to rejuvenate Wattle Grove Lake by “evicting’’ the carp and eel and give local species a chance to survive and thrive The council discussed the plan with the Wattle Grove Hotel Social Fishing Club and 15 of its best anglers were given permission to reel in the unwanted species the club’s members – led by organiser Michael Wilkinson – caught a total of 67 fish (43 carp and 24 long-finned eel) Liverpool Council has now granted the club a three-month fishing permit to flush the lake of the unwanted species which are known to feed on native bird and marine life Basic fishing priniciples and practices such as limiting bag sizes to certain catches apply in the permit and all native species of fish such as Australian Bass Mullett and Gudgeons will be thrown back into the water who was on hand to watch Saturday’s eel and carp cull said the fishing club were to be commended for their work in helping put the health of Wattle Grove Lake back in the spotlight “Council is proud to see that Wattle Grove Hotel Social Fishing Club has decided to contribute to making the lake a better place for residents to enjoy and we look forward to seeing the results of the three month fishing exercise,” Cr Hadchiti said The fishing exercise is in addition to Liverpool Council’s $40,000 plan to help restore the lake to its best looking state The cost of the works have gone towards repairing damaged footpaths and building a new path from Delfin Drive installing additional seating and building a shade structure over the existing play equipment recycled plastic borders around garden beds and two new water features have been installed to help improve the overall ambience of the lake the South West Voice is a free news website which serves Macarthur and Liverpool © 2023 South West Voice • All Rights Reserved • Proudly Supported by Simply WordPress Sydney Bisinella Developments director Richard Bisinella Wellam Constructions director Mark Wellam and Bisinella development manager Jamie Forssman inspect the Wattle Grove site in Corio PLANS for a new residential estate in Geelong’s northern suburbs have been given the green light The City of Greater Geelong has granted Bisinella Developments planning approval for the Wattle Grove development on a 8.9ha property adjacent to Beckley Park in Corio will offer blocks ranging from 323sq m to 895sq m and includes a 4000sq m park with a playground and wetlands The 20 lots in the first stage are expected to go on sale from February with construction due to start early in the new year Bisinella Developments has awarded the tender for the project to civil contractor Wellam Constructions The Lara-based residential developer outbid competition from across Australia to secure the site for $6.85 million at auction in April Bisinella director Richard Bisinella said he expected the location would make the Wattle Grove estate popular with both Geelong and Melbourne residents “Wattle Grove will provide residents with easy access to Melbourne in one direction as well as the Geelong CBD and the Surf Coast in the other,” Mr Bisinella said “The new estate is also a short drive from the Corio and Lara train stations which will be convenient for train commuters.” The estate neighbours the developer’s earlier Rose Park Estate and fills a ribbon of land between Corio’s existing residential development line and the Geelong Ring Road It will include access to the Ted Wilson trail a 12km shared path linking Broderick Rd to Church St in Herne Hill Lino Bisinella finalises the $6.85 million sale of the Crown land in Corio as Harcourts North Geelong auctioneer Joe Grgic looks on in April said the varied allotment sizes would suit everyone from first-home buyers to families and empty nesters “It also offers convenience to local shopping plus getting into the Geelong city centre and the amazing waterfront couldn’t be any simpler,” Mr Grgic said NRL player Manase Fainu denies he was the person who stabbed a man when a brawl erupted outside a Mormon church dance in Sydney’s south-west puncturing the victim’s lung and causing internal bleeding has pleaded not guilty to wounding Faamanu Levi with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in a car park behind The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wattle Grove on October 25 Alleged victim Faamanu Levi outside court on Tuesday.Credit: Rhett Wyman The Manly Sea Eagles hooker has been stood down since the incident under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy In her opening address in Parramatta District Court on Tuesday had arrived at the Jeans for Genes Day charity dance event around 9pm with friends no alcohol and a crowd of people dancing in the church hall Fainu arrived about 11pm with four men including Uona Faingaa Curran said CCTV footage would show Fainu was wearing a black top black tracksuit pants with a white stripe and had his left arm in a sling due to shoulder surgery She said an argument “broke out on the dance floor” and the accused and Faingaa were among the men escorted into a classroom Event organiser Christmas “Chris” Nouata said he wanted the groups to separate and calm down and told security at the front gate “don’t let them back in” He said Fainu stood out as he was the “only person at that dance who had a sling” He claims Fainu’s group had been shouting abusive words at Levi on the dance floor which he did not want to repeat in court as it went against his morals Judge Nanette Williams said he may need to put his “moral code to one side” and would not be judged The prosecutor said CCTV allegedly showed Fainu later jumping over a fence back onto the church grounds followed by other men approached Levi’s group in the car park and one person was heard saying “let’s go let’s go” before the first punch was thrown will give evidence he saw Fainu approach Levi’s group from behind holding a steak knife in his right hand with his arm bent at a 90-degree angle and his left arm in a sling Fainu allegedly swung his right hand into Levi’s back striking underneath his right shoulder blade “The accused then moved around and moved the knife towards Levi’s face cutting him across the top of his eye,” she said Curran said Levi fell to the ground and yelled “stop fighting Fainu allegedly jumped back over the fence and fled in a car She said Levi was treated for a wound to his back Levi had internal bleeding in his chest cavity and a laceration above his right eye Nouata gave evidence he had tried to break up the fight and heard someone else say “he’s got a knife He was injured in the brawl and called triple zero while an off-duty nurse rendered first aid to Levi who was “bleeding at the back” police found black tracksuit pants with a white stripe at Fainu’s home in Guildford West said the defence presents “another version of events” and of all the people involved in the brawl it was not her client who stabbed the complainant “What is in dispute is that Manase Fainu ever stabbed Mr Levi in the back or in the eye or in any other place,” she said “What is in dispute is that Mr Fainu ever formed any intention whatsoever to do any harm to Mr Levi.” She said the jury will hear evidence the scene was “pitch black” there were a lot of men involved and a lot of movement “You’ll hear that Mr Levi doesn’t even know who stabbed him ever been charged with any violence in his life” Cunneen asked the jury to consider whether Quach The trial continues and is expected to run for two weeks The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. NRL player Manase Fainu denies he was the person who stabbed a man when a brawl erupted outside a Mormon church dance in Sydney\\u2019s south-west, puncturing the victim\\u2019s lung and causing internal bleeding, a court has heard. Fainu, 24, has pleaded not guilty to wounding Faamanu Levi with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in a car park behind The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wattle Grove on October 25, 2019. The Manly Sea Eagles hooker has been stood down since the incident under the NRL\\u2019s no-fault stand down policy. In her opening address in Parramatta District Court on Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Emma Curran said Levi, a youth leader, had arrived at the Jeans for Genes Day charity dance event around 9pm with friends. She said there was a DJ, no alcohol and a crowd of people dancing in the church hall. Fainu arrived about 11pm with four men including Uona Faingaa, known as \\u201CBig Buck\\u201D. Curran said CCTV footage would show Fainu was wearing a black top, black hat, black tracksuit pants with a white stripe and had his left arm in a sling due to shoulder surgery. She said an argument \\u201Cbroke out on the dance floor\\u201D and the accused and Faingaa were among the men escorted into a classroom, where they were told, \\u201Cyou don\\u2019t fight on church grounds\\u201D. The Crown alleges Faingaa said, \\u201Cwe\\u2019ll take it somewhere else then\\u201D. Event organiser Christmas \\u201CChris\\u201D Nouata said he wanted the groups to separate and calm down, and told security at the front gate \\u201Cdon\\u2019t let them back in\\u201D. He said Fainu stood out as he was the \\u201Conly person at that dance who had a sling\\u201D. He claims Fainu\\u2019s group had been shouting abusive words at Levi on the dance floor, which he did not want to repeat in court as it went against his morals. Judge Nanette Williams said he may need to put his \\u201Cmoral code to one side\\u201D and would not be judged. Nouata said the group was threatening, swearing and \\u201Ccarrying on\\u201D. The prosecutor said CCTV allegedly showed Fainu later jumping over a fence back onto the church grounds followed by other men. She said five men, allegedly including Fainu and Faingaa, approached Levi\\u2019s group in the car park and one person was heard saying \\u201Clet\\u2019s go, let\\u2019s go\\u201D before the first punch was thrown. \\u201CAt that point, a brawl erupted,\\u201D Curran said. She said a witness, Tony Thanh Toan Quach, will give evidence he saw Fainu approach Levi\\u2019s group from behind, holding a steak knife in his right hand with his arm bent at a 90-degree angle and his left arm in a sling. Fainu allegedly swung his right hand into Levi\\u2019s back, striking underneath his right shoulder blade. \\u201CThe accused then moved around and moved the knife towards Levi\\u2019s face, cutting him across the top of his eye,\\u201D she said. Curran said Levi fell to the ground and yelled \\u201Cstop fighting, I\\u2019m injured\\u201D. Fainu allegedly jumped back over the fence and fled in a car. She said Levi was treated for a wound to his back, near his fifth rib, that penetrated his lung, causing it to collapse. Levi had internal bleeding in his chest cavity and a laceration above his right eye. Nouata gave evidence he had tried to break up the fight, shouting \\u201Cstop it\\u201D, and heard someone else say \\u201Che\\u2019s got a knife, he\\u2019s got a knife, he\\u2019s got a knife\\u201D. He was injured in the brawl and called triple zero while an off-duty nurse rendered first aid to Levi who was \\u201Cbleeding at the back\\u201D. During a search warrant in November 2019, police found black tracksuit pants with a white stripe at Fainu\\u2019s home in Guildford West, the prosecutor said. Fainu\\u2019s barrister Margaret Cunneen, SC, said the defence presents \\u201Canother version of events\\u201D, and of all the people involved in the brawl, it was not her client who stabbed the complainant. \\u201CWhat is in dispute is that Manase Fainu ever stabbed Mr Levi, in the back or in the eye or in any other place,\\u201D she said. \\u201CWhat is in dispute is that Mr Fainu ever formed any intention whatsoever to do any harm to Mr Levi.\\u201D She said the jury will hear evidence the scene was \\u201Cpitch black\\u201D, there were a lot of men involved and a lot of movement. \\u201CIt was quick, very quick,\\u201D Cunneen said. \\u201CYou\\u2019ll hear that Mr Levi doesn\\u2019t even know who stabbed him, [he] can\\u2019t tell you who it was.\\u201D Cunneen said Fainu had previously \\u201Cnever, ever been charged with any violence in his life\\u201D. \\u201CHe had no fight or quarrel with anyone, he hasn\\u2019t got a problem with anyone there. It\\u2019s not his fight,\\u201D she said. Cunneen asked the jury to consider whether Quach, who allegedly saw Fainu holding a knife, was reliable, honest or \\u201Chas some reason to lie\\u201D. The trial continues and is expected to run for two weeks. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. with Wattle Grove Hall of Fame S723 and handler Olivia Delaforce Picture by Catherine MillerA rising three-year-old Speckle Park bull weighing close to the payload limit of a Toyota Landcruiser ute has claimed bragging rights as the heaviest to be shown in the stud cattle championships at Beef 2024 All articles from our website & appThe digital version of This Week's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other agricultural news sites in your areaContinueThe 1152 kilogram had been earmarked long ago for Beef by stud principals Dale and Belinda Humphries from Oberon and Nundle It all fell into place after Wattle Grove's bull sale last October when Pedro Demertini "They wanted to exhibit him here and he will go into collection after that," he said At the time of the sale the 26 month old weighed 1045 kilograms Speckle Park Brazil also bought Wattle Grove's grand champion beef bull Dust & Smoke P07 after setting their eyes on him at Beef 2021 Mr Humphries said Hall of Fame was the culmination of the stud's nearly 16 years breeding Speckle Park cattle "Our first time up here in 2012 we went home and said we have to get the cattle bigger we get paid on weight per kilogram," he said Wattle Grove's breeding philosophy is cattle with more size and frame which are better adapted to Australian and Brazilian conditions than their Canadian origins carcase orientated breed but we have to compete to supply the commercial man especially in the northern part of Qld where the cattle - Brahman Santa Gertrudis are all that bit bigger," he said He said the heaviest bull was not necessarily a title breeders wanted to own with some seeing it as a negative and connotations of cattle being overprepared but Mr Humphries is confident the bull is all "red meat In previous times Wattle Grove's show team has been 10 or more but they will be pinning all their hopes in the Speckle Park judging on Tuesday on Hall of Fame as their sole entry "There are lots of reasons why I enjoy Beef I get to hang out with my family for two weeks which doesn't happen at home and we also see friends and clients," Mr Humphries said Catherine is Stock Journal's long time livestock editor and South East journalist. The first lots in a new residential estate in Geelong’s northern suburbs have hit the market Bisinella Developments’ Wattle Grove estate on a 8.9ha property adjacent to Beckley Park in Corio will provide 102 house lots when it’s completed at 55 Broderick Rd will offer blocks ranging from 340sq m to 895sq m and includes a 4000sq m park with a playground and wetlands An artists image of parkland at Bisinella Developments’ Wattle Grove housing estate at Corio The first stage will include 20 lots from 403sq m to 895sq m Land prices will range from $269,000 to $335,000 Construction of the estate is expected to commence in August or September this year The announcement follows the release of more land in Lara in Bisinella’s new estate and within 10 minutes of train stations at Corio and Lara Wellam Constructions) and Jamie Forssman (development manager Bisinella Developments) at the site of the new Wattle Grove housing estate in Corio The estate is also adjacent Beckley Park community market Wattle Grove will feature landscaped reserves and wetlands interwoven with the Ted Wilson trail which follows the alignment of the Geelong Ring Road through to Hamlyn Heights The developer is also encouraging homebuyers to think green in the estate offering a $1000 rebate to buyers who purchase a lot in Wattle Grove and install solar panels to their house within three months of construction Wattle Grove estate is near Corio’s Aldi supermarket and the Princes Highway The Lara-based residential developer outbid competition from across Australia to secure the Corio site for $6.85 million at auction in April Bisinella director Richard Bisinella said he expected the location would make the Wattle Grove estate popular with both Geelong and Melbourne residents The man allegedly used this bow and an arrow similar to this one. (Supplied: NSW Police) Link copiedShareShare articlePolice are investigating a south-west Sydney man who allegedly shot a home intruder with a bow and arrow. The 68-year-old man shot the intruder after confronting him at his home on Glanara Court at Wattle Grove yesterday afternoon, police said. Officers said the unknown man broke into a couple's home on Glanara Street in Wattle Grove and stole a large amount of cash, a handbag and car keys. The man then went to the garage of the home and entered the couple's vehicle, a Nissan X-Trail. As he started the car and attempted to reverse out of the garage, the male resident — at home with his wife during the robbery — armed himself with a bow and arrow and went to the garage. The resident confronted the robber with the bow and arrow, causing him to crash the vehicle into a fence, police said. The intruder then got out of the car and jumped a fence into Wattle Grove Drive, running towards a parked Mazda Tribute. As he ran away, the resident stood up on the fence and shot the fleeing man using the bow and arrow, hitting him in the bottom or lower back area, police said. The intruder — who was wearing a black, short-sleeved shirt — escaped, driving off in the parked car. Police were called and attended a short time later. The intruder allegedly drove a stolen car into a fence when confronted by the homeowner. (ABC News: Jessica Kidd) Detective Inspector Dean Johnstone said police were still hunting for the intruder and were also investigating the circumstances in which the arrow was fired. "At this point in time we have been given information by the homeowner, police have attempted to speak to him," he said. "He's maintained his right to silence, this is a matter we'll investigate." A crime scene was established and examined by forensic specialists. The bow and arrow and other items were seized by police as exhibits. The bow and arrow are not prohibited weapons, but Detective Inspector Johnstone suggested there was a possibility the man could face charges. "The owner is part of an archery club and takes part in that sport," he said. "This is very early days in the investigation but … we are investigating all facets of the incident." Detective Inspector Johnstone advised people not to confront intruders, following the unusual incident. "My advice to people would be to comply with [the intruder], not to confront them, certainly not to engage them in a physical altercation, let them go and let us investigate," he said. Police said inquiries with hospitals had yet to locate anyone treated for an injury consistent with this incident. The man who broke into the home is described as being short and of Caucasian appearance with dark hair and olive skin. He has a tattoo on the left arm above the elbow. He is believed to be between 30 to 35 years old. Detective Inspector Johnstone said police were asking doctors and medical professionals to look out for anyone with unusual injuries. "We believe the arrow may have struck the offender in the buttocks or the lower back region," he said. "We'are asking anyone in the medical profession … to contact police if a person comes in with a wound [consistent] with an arrow striking them." Why Trump wants to reopen an infamous US prison — and whether it's possibleTopic:Explainer THE State Administrative Tribunal has granted conditional approval for a garden centre and caretakers dwelling on 720 Welshpool Road East with the City of Kalamunda admitting it spent about $71,500 fighting the application at the tribunal known on the court documents as ACN 605 729 995 first submitted approval plans to the City of Kalamunda in 2021 but it wasn’t until December 2022 that the council rejected the application The city’s reasons for rejection stated the proposal would have an adverse impact to the landscape and environmental qualities of the land making it contrary to the objectives of clause 4.2 of the local planning scheme No 3; that the proposed development would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of surrounding residents; the development could potentially have adverse effects on the environment most notably the Greater Brixton Street wetlands; and it is incompatible with the city’s Crystal Brook Concept plan (2020) for the area Alongside the city rejecting the application the tribunal heard that all 13 applications submitted during the city’s community consultation period were all against the development Echo News in December 2022 (Garden centre traffic troubles growing painful) spoke to residents close to the proposed development who cited road safety and the proposed changes to the Welshpool Road East crossover as reasons for the council to reject the decision Other objections raised against the development in the city’s submissions process included environmental impacts and concerns at the commercial intensification of the area the tribunal ruled against these arguments stating that the application had adequately addressed environmental concerns and was consistent with the character The tribunal ruled that the development satisfies the aims and provision of the local planning scheme No 3 and met the objective of the city’s rural composite zone The development was also ruled in line with the strategic vision for the area by the tribunal which  documents state the city had marked as a future growth area as the tribunal said development would not be inconsistent with the level of amenity that can be reasonably expected in the locality The 20 separate conditions granted with the conditional approval range from the applicant having to submit dust and noise management plans to the city prior to the isuing of a building permit alongside excluding vehicles over 19m entering and exiting the site The applicant was also told to create a revegetation and rehabilitation plan landscape plan for Yule Brook – which the city must approve – which sits at the rear of the property ShareGet SBS News daily and direct to your InboxSign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.Your email address *Morning (Mon–Fri) Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe West Australian developer Devwest has sold its neighbourhood shopping centre in Wattle Grove as real estate trading slowly ramps up in the Western Australian capital Mair Property Funds acquired the Wattle Grove Shopping Centre at a yield of 6.25 per cent SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. 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Read MoreSalesLatest In PropertyFetching latest articles 40 years in the makingLisa Calautti This hidden gem in Perth's foothills could lay claim to having Australia's best backyard a sprawling private oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city that's four decades in the making The property at 2 Gavour Road in Wattle Grove is set on a sprawling 9.04ha landholding more than half of which comprises beautifully landscaped gardens centred around a stream known as Crystal Brook So picturesque is the land that selling agent Peter Robertson of William Porteous Properties International said the two dwellings on it are almost a mere bonus The owner, who is also selling 2/11 Brown Street in East Perth has spent 40 years meticulously bringing to life the vision for the grounds with the idea he’d one day build an equally grand home for himself to live in the garden goes up and he loves it,” Mr Robertson explained The owner spent 40 years bringing to life his grand vision for the grounds He built a house on the property for his parents and the original cottage that was on the property has been renovated and extended a little bit living in an apartment is better and more convenient.” The 5ha-plus manicured gardens are centred around a stream The primary residence features four bedrooms and two bathrooms while the secondary dwelling has two bedrooms and one bathroom Other features of the estate include a commercial grade aviary Mr Robertson said Landol Park was the only property of its size in such close proximity to the city so if you do want to work from home and be in your little bubble and you’ve got some space around you,” he said “You have got the foothills literally on your doorstep and if you want to get into town it’s not like coming in from Roleystone or Bedfordale or something like that The property’s special rural zoning allows for subdivision to build more homes About five serious parties were looking at the property with a view to build a house in the middle of the well-established gardens “One thing with real estate that you can’t buy is time and time to get [grounds] like that established “The big opportunity for somebody now is to buy and put your house in the middle of it you’ve got space to run some small animal holding Landol Park is listed for sale with a price guide of circa $9 million A former Sydney teacher has been jailed for at least 12 years for the sexual abuse of 15 male students and later became the assistant principal at Woodlands Road Public School was sentenced on Monday to a maximum of 18 years in jail Shane Andrew Matthews has been jailed for the abuse of students Matthews previously pleaded guilty to 33 offences indecent assault and procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity committed largely between 2012 and 2015 He has been in custody since police arrested him at his Bradbury home in late 2016 The popular teacher's sentencing before Judge Jennifer English in Campbelltown District Court came months after an emotional sentencing hearing in which his victims spoke of the fear and humiliation they felt as a result of being abused. "The opportunity to be young and live without fear and be able to trust people was taken from me. I am a different person now," one victim said during a court hearing in May. "You are supposed to be safe at school, and I was let down." The boy said he had always worked best in class when he sat next to the teacher. But when Matthews moved both their desks to the back of his classroom he had tried to move away. "I felt scared and frustrated. I didn't know what to do and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to stop it happening. "I started to think to myself, is this just what happens? Is this normal?" Another boy said he sometimes acted out because he needed to release "the crazy shit that's going on in my head. "Don't ask me to explain it, I can't. "I don't trust anyone, I feel ripped off all the time and I don't know why." The boy said he had trusted Matthews had wanted to help him, but now knew he had helped only for his own gratification. "Mr Matthews destroyed that innocence in me and I don't know how to get it back. "I knew what you were, my voice just wasn't strong enough." A third victim said he had trouble sleeping around the time he was abused because he worried about what Matthews would do to him next. When he did get to sleep, he would often wake screaming. "It made me angry it happened to other kids as well." Another boy spoke of his anxiety and thoughts of self-harm. "This has made me feel insecure about myself; he made me feel like a nobody." A former Sydney teacher has been jailed for at least 12 years for the sexual abuse of 15 male students. Shane Andrew Matthews, 31, who taught at Wattle Grove Public School, and later became the assistant principal at Woodlands Road Public School, was sentenced on Monday to a maximum of 18 years in jail. Matthews previously pleaded guilty to 33 offences, including persistent child sexual abuse, indecent assault and procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity committed largely between 2012 and 2015. He has been in custody since in late 2016. The popular teacher's sentencing before Judge Jennifer English in Campbelltown District Court came months after an emotional sentencing hearing in which \\\"The opportunity to be young and live without fear and be able to trust people was taken from me. I am a different person now,\\\" one victim said during a court hearing in May. \\\"You are supposed to be safe at school, and I was let down.\\\" \\\"I felt scared and frustrated. I didn't know what to do and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to stop it happening. \\\"I started to think to myself, is this just what happens? Is this normal?\\\" Another boy said he sometimes acted out because he needed to release \\\"the crazy shit that's going on in my head. \\\"I don't trust anyone, I feel ripped off all the time and I don't know why.\\\" \\\"Mr Matthews destroyed that innocence in me and I don't know how to get it back. \\\"I knew what you were, my voice just wasn't strong enough.\\\" \\\"It made me angry it happened to other kids as well.\\\" \\\"This has made me feel insecure about myself; he made me feel like a nobody.\\\" Fire authorities have confirmed the loss of a derelict house and a shed in the Wattle Grove fire. (Supplied: Channel Nine) Link copiedShareShare articleA bushfire burning in Perth's south-east has destroyed one derelict house and a shed, but is no longer threatening lives and homes. An emergency warning that was in place in the western part of Wattle Grove, in the Shire of Kalamunda, has been downgraded to a watch and act. Homes in Boundary Road, Brentwood Road, Johnson Road, Crystal Brook Road and Philemon Court had been under immediate threat on Monday, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). DFES district officer Clint Kuchel said the fire was still out of control and unpredictable. There are reports of other property damage in addition to the derelict house and shed, but Mr Kuchel said they could not be confirmed. "We'll get our urban search and rescue, rapid response team to go through and have a look once the fire is gone," he said. Kristie Biddle and her husband run a kennel business in the area. She said her husband and kennel staff saw the fire coming and were fortunate enough to save all of the animals, but not all of the buildings. "They moved quickly to box up the cats in the back cattery area where they were concerned about," she said. "Thankfully they were able to move all the cats and get them out of the way. "We've lost the back cattery and the back shed. At the moment we're full because of Christmas. I'm assuming about 50 cats at the moment. "Our next problem will be I guess trying to house those cats because obviously people are away and it's a busy time with most catteries being full." Homes in parts of Wattle Grove were under direct threat from the fire. (ABC News) On Monday night a bushfire watch and act remained in place for parts of Wattle Grove, Orange Grove, Forrestfield and Kenwick in the Shire of Kalamunda and the City of Gosnells. DFES said the alert has been issued for people in an area bounded by Bickley Road, Roe Highway, Welshpool Road East, Hale Road, Wandoo Road, Lesmurdie Falls National Park and Kelvin Road. The fire, which started on Brentwood Road in Kenwick, was reported at 12:50pm. It is burning on both sides of Tonkin Highway, part of which remains closed along with a number of other roads in the area. DFES said the fire was moving north, with efforts to contain it set to continue into the night. About nine power poles have been damaged in the fire, leaving several dozens properties without power. The fire has sent a plume of smoke up over Perth's east. (Twitter: @NoTillBill) is keeping the family Merino breeding tradition alive and was snapped during the competition at Mudgee showground.Peter Doherty and Ned Inder.A CHANGE in the format of the Chris Naake Memorial Merino flock ewe competition made it harder to get an idea of the breeding direction and type of an entire flock among the 11 competitors All articles from our website & appThe digital version of This Week's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other agricultural news sites in your areaContinueCompetition coordinator said due to the drought it was deemed better to invite flocks to present up to 10 maiden ewes at Mudgee showground instead of cancelling the regular field day trip this year Looking for ewes with a good balance of wool cut and frame Mr Armstrong said he enjoyed judging the different types that the Mudgee competition presented He found his winner in Wattle Grove Partnership of Mick and Wendy Inder and family with Mick's father with ewes from their 18 micron bulky fine-medium wool flock of 1400 Langdene blood the first rams being purchased by Joe back close to 1984 Mr Armstrong said the ewes had everything he believed contributed to a highly profitable self-replacing flock length of body and would cut plenty of high quality white wool," he said Mick Inder said the maidens were from a 700 head 2018 drop and after a 28 per cent cull at an early-age classing by Garry Cox of Langdene stud and the flock averages a 7.5 kilogram wool cut The Inder family also run a very successful first-cross lamb production flock based on classed-out Merino ewes joined to Border Leicester rams At this year's Dunedoo Sheep Breeders sale their first-cross ewe pen topped at $281 a head Maiden ewes bred by Les and Marj Deutscher were placed second with Mr Armstrong saying they showed a lot of potential with plenty of length in the muzzles that translated to good length of body The Langdene blood ewes came from a 500-head drop before a 20pc cull classed by Gordon Cox The flock has been on Langdene for some seven years and averages 19 micron with an overall average wool cut of 5.5kg The flock boasts 1200 ewes now in their second week of joining Mr Armstrong said the ewes had heavy lock structure that would enable them to cut good amounts of wool as the seasons improved Karl Weatherley and partner Amy McKenzie with Karl's parents Brian and Margaret feature in the Woodbine Partnership whose ewes were awarded third placing in their second year return in the competition after an absence They have been on Bocoble blood for more than 40 years and run a 19.5 micron average flock while this year's maidens measured 18 micron Wool cut of the whole flock averages 5.2kg while the maidens cut 5.6kg Brian Weatherley was a keen competitor in years past Mr Armstrong said the ewes had a lot of condition in their wool and also had a higher fat score "I thought they were on the right track with good frame size were highly commended with ewes of Trynow blood while Wallerwaugh Pty Ltd were also highly commended for their ewes of Langdene blood Central West and Western editorial reporter living at Wellington and based out of The Land, Dubbo office.