Latest news with #Elsternwick
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Planning minister approves 11-storey tower at ex-ABC Elsternwick site
Elsternwick is set for a huge new, 11-storey tower after the Victorian government fast-tracked a $150m development of a former ABC complex that hosted iconic TV show Countdown. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has approved the controversial plan including 148 homes retail and office spaces, and 400-plus car parks atop a new Woolworths supermarket at the ex-ABC site, under the state's Development Facilitation Program. It aims to streamline the planning process for projects that will increase Victoria's pipeline of residences. Iconic Melbourne pool site could sell for up to $3m The development at 10-16 Selwyn St is located within the state government's future Activity Centre designated for the Elsternwick train station and tram zone, one of 50 earmarked for increased housing density across Melbourne. While community consultation is yet to happen for the Elsternwick area, some of the other activity zones are expected to potentially have buildings of up to 15 to 20 levels constructed. Previous plans for the Selwyn St site had also been set to add soaring towers, but prompted significant community backlash and didn't proceed. Records show the ABC sold the address for about $51.7m in 2017, after using it for recordings of Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering. Countdown, a show hosted by music and TV industry legend Molly Meldrum in the 1970s and 1980s, was also sometimes filmed at the studio, warehouse and office site in addition to another nearby ex-ABC studio on Gordon St. In 2019, a group of residents held multiple protests against an earlier proposal to build two towers at the Selwyn St location amid overdevelopment fears. The newest plan features a mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences, with 10 per cent of the homes to be designated as affordable. A section of the development is set to become a community hub as part of Selwyn St's Jewish Arts Quarter. Planning documents prepared on behalf of Pace Development Group – who are developing the site on behalf of Woolworths – state that the hub will include a function space, museum and library. In addition to the studios, a heritage-listed former fire station on the site will be restored and repurposed as a BWS liquor store after Heritage Victoria green lit the suggestion. The development is close to the Elsternwick train station and other public transport. The planning documents state that the development is located in area where existing building heights range from one to 11 storeys. More than 4950 new homes have been fast-tracked through the Development Facilitation Program since September 2023. 'Victorians are telling us they want more homes in well-connected areas – and this project will deliver almost 150 homes right in the heart of Elsternwick, close to the train station, tram and bus stops,' Ms Kilkenny said. A local business operator, who asked not to be named, said although many residents were against too much development in the beachside suburb, there was a need for more density in Melbourne to help combat the housing crisis — and it should have been made taller. 'If Australia is genuine about solving the housing crisis, they will have to put up with density,' they said. 'And if ever there was a perfect site for density, it's this one.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Bachelor couple Sam and Snezana Wood relist their jaw-dropping Elsternwick home for $6.6 million as they eye up an upgrade to a $14 million sprawling Brighton pad
Sam and Snezana Wood have relisted their lavish Elsternwick home with a massive $6.6 million price guide. The reality star couple, who met on season three of The Bachelor in 2015, initially put the home on the market in November last year but later withdrew it. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom mansion boasts an array of luxury amenities, including a 15-metre pool framed by Ironbark timber decking and a sun-drenched gym and sauna that overlooks the home's stunning green surroundings. Sam and Snezana initially bought the Victorian property in 2018 for $3.31m, renovating it into a modern oasis that reflects their passion for wellness. The home, built in 1900, was beautifully restored by the reality TV couple, and wows guests from the get-go with a dramatic arched hallway, 3.7 metre high ceilings and interiors straight out of an art magazine. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. With north-facing living areas that effortlessly spill into the outdoors, the home is perfect for entertaining and hosting. Fitted with a luxurious fireplace to keep cosy in the winter months and an alfresco shower for washing off remnants of a summer beach day, the home can deliver for any occasion, rain or shine. The kitchen is the centrepiece of the home, with Carrara marble countertops, high-end appliances and a pantry big enough to do cartwheels in. Moving upstairs, a main bedroom offers serene park views from the bed, complete with a marble ensuite bathroom and spacious dressing room. Seeing as though Sam and Snezana share four children together - Evie, 20, Willow, seven, Charlie, five, and Harper, two - it's no surprise that the kids were well- catered for in the state-of-the-art abode. The home's children's wing allows for kids to have their own space while also boasting custom joinery and pocket doors for easy accessibility, while a guest suite with connecting bathroom ensures visitors are afforded privacy and luxury during their stay. Taylor Dow, DOW Real Estate's managing director, describe the home as one that stops its visitors in their tracks. 'You walk in, and it's a series of wow moments, the scale, the finishes, the calm that it carries,' he said. The home features an incredible gym and sauna 'There's a soul to it that's rare.' Sam and Snezana, who are still going strong nine years after meeting and falling in love on The Bachelor, are reportedly eyeing off a glorious mansion in one of Melbourne's most sought after postcodes. Real estate insiders say the hunky reality star and his wife have already laid out an eye-watering $14million for the sprawling pad. Located in seaside Brighton, 14kms from the CBD, the beautiful vintage multi-level estate boasts six-bedrooms, a pool and expansive gardens. However, the Herald Sun reported that the genetically-blessed pair have yet to seal the deal on the trophy home.
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Elsternwick: Bachelor couple Sam, Snezana Wood relist $6m+ home
Sam and Snezana Wood's spectacular Elsternwick home has hit the market again, with a $6.6m price guide. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom property is poised for a full listing relaunch in coming weeks. The couple, who rose to fame on The Bachelor in 2015 and have since built a national lifestyle and wellness brand, purchased the home for $3.31m in 2018. What followed was a meticulous, years-long renovation with the help of Castley McCrimmon Architects. From its beautifully restored Victorian facade to a soaring arched hallway, 3.7 metre ceilings and gallery-like interiors, every inch of the home has been crafted for form and function. Expansive, north-facing living areas flow seamlessly outdoors to a 15 metre gas and solar-heated lap pool, framed by Ironbark timber decking, encaustic tiles, and lush mature gardens. There's also an alfresco shower and a fifth toilet — subtle nods to the home's retreat-like lifestyle. DOW Real Estate managing director Taylor Dow said it's the kind of home that stops buyers. 'You walk in, and it's a series of wow moments, the scale, the finishes, the calm that it carries,' Mr Dow said. 'There's a soul to it that's rare.' The kitchen is a showpiece in itself, finished in Carrara marble with a full butler's pantry, and fitted with high-end appliances. A luxe fireplace warms the open-plan living space, while architectural steel-framed doors offer sightlines from lounge to lawn. Upstairs, a sun-drenched gym and sauna overlook the treetops. A children's wing with pocket doors and custom joinery, a guest suite with ensuite, and a park-facing main bedroom with a marble ensuite and dressing room complete the flexible family layout. Originally built in 1900, the home was previously listed under Whitefox but didn't sell. Since then, it's undergone a strategic reset, now offered off-market while a full-scale campaign is readied behind the scenes. 'We're taking a very deliberate approach,' Mr Dow said. 'This isn't a home you rush through. The level of detail demands time, and the buyers we're working with want to appreciate that.' Mr Dow said early interest had already been strong. 'There are a lot of prestige homes on the market, but not many that feel like this,' he said. 'You can tell every decision came from a place of care, and that's what buyers connect with.' Sam Wood remains active in the fitness space after selling his platform '28 by Sam Wood' for $71m in 2022, while Snezana has recently turned her attention to fashion, launching a jewellery collection in collaboration with Shannakian Fine Jewellery. Now, the couple's dream home is ready for its next chapter, and the right buyer. Private inspections are underway. The relaunch is coming soon.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- News.com.au
Dramatic CCTV footage shows synagogue arson in Melbourne
Counter-terrorism authorities have released dramatic CCTV footage and images of suspects believed to be responsible for the politically motivated arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne late last year. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) is appealing for public assistance to identify the individuals involved or anyone connected to a blue 2020 VW Golf sedan believed to have been used in the attack. The footage, captured on December 6, 2024, shows the blue Golf driving past the Elsternwick synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three masked individuals wearing hoodies are then seen exiting the vehicle, using an axe to break into the synagogue. At least two of the offenders are captured on CCTV pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance and returning to the car to retrieve more. The flammable liquid was then ignited, and the group fled in the Golf, heading towards Melbourne's western suburbs. The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday December 6.' Two worshippers were in the temple at the time. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged. The vehicle, which was stolen and bore cloned number plates, has since been recovered by police. Investigators say it was also used in other serious crimes across the city, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and a shooting and arson in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue attack. While the other incidents are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically motivated, the synagogue fire remains a terrorism matter. AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said officers had examined CCTV from more than 1400 locations to track the alleged offenders. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' he said. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now. 'This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. Do not stay silent, come forward. 'Based on the information we have, we suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.' Assistant Commissioner Nutt said investigators were pursuing all leads and thanked both the Jewish and wider Victorian communities for their support and assistance. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said the investigation had been a top priority over the past five months. 'This was an attack that impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and rightly concerned,' she said. She said both the JCTT and specialist detectives, including the Arson and Explosives Squad, had been working to uncover not only who carried out the attack but who planned it and why. 'Today has provided us with a breakthrough in the Lux nightclub arson investigation and we are now in a position to publicly confirm that we believe the vehicle used in that incident is the same as the synagogue fire, as well as many other incidents of significant criminality such as shootings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne,' she said. Assistant Commissioner Walsh said the blue VW Golf sedan was a crucial link in the investigation and urged the public to help identify who had used it and what they were involved in. 'We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.' She said it was time for people with information to come forward and warned of the potentially deadly consequences of such reckless behaviour. 'We have said many times before; it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is absolutely uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated.' She reassured the Jewish community that police remained committed to tracking down those responsible. 'I understand that it can be difficult when these matters take time, but again, make no mistake that this investigation remains a key priority for Victoria Police and the AFP and we are dedicated to bringing it to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.' The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 if they recognise anyone in the CCTV footage or have information about the vehicle or the individuals involved. Reports can also be made confidentially online.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Malka Leifer: The cushy life a rapist headmistress enjoys behind bars is revealed - as her victims lash their abuser's 'shocking' prison perks
The former headmistress of a prestigious Melbourne school who was jailed for raping two of her students has reportedly been receiving special treatment behind bars. Malka Leifer, 58, ran the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, which caters to the city's ultra-orthodox Jewish community, but fled back to Israel in 2008 after the allegations against her first arose. Following a lengthy process to extradite her to Australia to stand trial, she was jailed for 15 years in 2023 for the rape and indecent assault of Melbourne sisters Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper. A former inmate of the maximum security Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, in the outer Melbourne suburb of Deer Park, has now claimed Leifer is receiving perks other prisoners do not get while she is held in the protection unit. 'Malka has a microwave in her room, cooking equipment, gets special orders every Thursday,' she told 'She wanted an airfryer and had members of the Jewish community write authorities about it. She gets whatever she wants.' The former inmate also said she is allowed to make challah, a special bread that is often baked for the Jewish Sabbath observed every Saturday. One of her victims, Elly Sapper, was appalled to hear of the perks Leifer was getting. 'To hear that she's doing this brings back so much of the way she acted in court which was no remorse and arrogance. It kind of brings out this anger again. It's shocking,' she said. According to the former inmate, Leifer is disliked by other prisoners because of her arrogance. She previously claimed Leifer was in a relationship with conwoman Samantha Azzopardi, 36, who was jailed for fraudulently claiming compensation by posing as a sex trafficked 17-year-old from Belgium known as Hattie Leigh. She alleged the pair would write each other notes and often spend time in a laundry area where there is no CCTV. Leifer targeted the sisters between 2004 and 2007 when they were students and later in their first year as student teachers. The offending occurred while the headmistress was aged between 37 and 41 while Ms Erlich was aged between 16 and 19 and Ms Sapper aged 17 and 18. The sisters previously welcomed the sentence but said it would never be enough. 'The ruling of 15 years recognises the harm and pain that Malka Leifer caused each one of us to suffer over so many years,' Ms Sapper said. 'While no amount of years will ever be sufficient, we are relieved that Malka Leifer is now in prison for 15 years and cannot prey on anyone else.' The sisters campaigned for years to bring Leifer to justice and Ms Erlich said it was because they had not given up that they were successful. 'While we know the onus of fighting for justice should not be up to survivors, this fight was never just for us,' she said.
