Latest news with #Toowoomba
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Slice of history: Local family shells out $3m for antique-filled abandoned home
He said the house was last lived in by a family member in the '90s, who passed away. Since then, it had remained empty 'for no real reason'. 'It was such a cherished asset, and it took a long time for them to decide to sell it,' he said. When the time came to put it on the market, Hadgelias said it took one crew two weeks to get the abandoned abode inspection-ready. 'There was a lot of stuff in there – bits and pieces with dates on them from the '60s, '70s and '80s,' he said. 'Surprisingly, the paintwork wasn't too bad inside, even if it was on the outside.' The house was also packed with old furniture, attracting antique hunters hoping to score forgotten treasures. 'The vendors will now get to decide what they want to keep, and then they can sell the rest,' he said. Loading The house was among 177 scheduled auctions across Brisbane last week. By Saturday evening, Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 56 per cent from 107 reported results, with 11 auctions withdrawn. In New Farm, another rare piece of Brisbane history – this one tied to former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen through family lineage – sold for $4.575 million, just over the undisclosed reserve. The four-bedroom home, at 3 Mark Street, was offered to the market for the first time since it was built in 1890. Set on a prime 810-square-metre block near the James Street precinct, the iconic residence features a wraparound veranda, timber floors, a generations-old poinciana tree and even the original outhouse. Thirteen bidders registered, while seven were active. A local family hoping to renovate the home kicked things off at $3 million, with the price quickly soaring to $4.3 million. It was then called on the market, leading to a final bidding battle between the family and an expat returning from the UK. In the end the expat walked away with the keys. Selling agent Heath Williams, of Place New Farm, said the home drew strong interest, with dozens of buyers inspecting and a huge crowd turning out to watch the historic sale unfold. 'It was a pretty rare listing – there aren't many blocks this size (in New Farm) … and it was a near flat block too,' he said. 'But the market is also interesting right now – previously, renovators weren't the flavour of the month.' He said a new build on a similar block nearby recently sold for just $800,000 more - showing buyers were again willing to invest in fixer-uppers. Over in Holland Park, a couple of investors paid $1.366 million for a five-bedroom post-war home they hadn't even inspected. The property at 57 Layard Street sits on a 617-square-metre block and includes a fully self-contained downstairs space. Four bidders competed, with a Toowoomba family looking to relocate to Brisbane opening the auction at $1 million. 'It was pretty competitive until $1.32 million, at which point we were above the reserve,' said co-selling agent Patrick Goldsworthy, of Place Estate Agents Bulimba. Loading 'Then there were just two buyers left battling it out until the end, but the investors got it. And they were really nonchalant and would have happily kept going. 'The fact that it sold for $60,000 over the reserve just shows the value of Holland Park.' The couple saw the property for the first time mere minutes before the auction. 'It was actually her birthday and she said it was a bit of a gift to herself,' Goldsworthy said. 'After the auction, they even asked me if they could take a bit more of a look around.' He added the vendors had owned the home for 11 years and were making a 'tree change' to the Sunshine Coast. Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Brisbane's auction results showed strong momentum, with their internal clearance rate hitting 87 per cent. 'That's up from 64.3 per cent last year,' she said. 'It tells us people have shrugged off the interest rate hold and that they're expecting a cut in two weeks.' The only headwind, she said, remained a significant shortage of listings, though she expected a spring surge.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Slice of history: Local family shells out $3m for antique-filled abandoned home
He said the house was last lived in by a family member in the '90s, who passed away. Since then, it had remained empty 'for no real reason'. 'It was such a cherished asset, and it took a long time for them to decide to sell it,' he said. When the time came to put it on the market, Hadgelias said it took one crew two weeks to get the abandoned abode inspection-ready. 'There was a lot of stuff in there – bits and pieces with dates on them from the '60s, '70s and '80s,' he said. 'Surprisingly, the paintwork wasn't too bad inside, even if it was on the outside.' The house was also packed with old furniture, attracting antique hunters hoping to score forgotten treasures. 'The vendors will now get to decide what they want to keep, and then they can sell the rest,' he said. Loading The house was among 177 scheduled auctions across Brisbane last week. By Saturday evening, Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 56 per cent from 107 reported results, with 11 auctions withdrawn. In New Farm, another rare piece of Brisbane history – this one tied to former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen through family lineage – sold for $4.575 million, just over the undisclosed reserve. The four-bedroom home, at 3 Mark Street, was offered to the market for the first time since it was built in 1890. Set on a prime 810-square-metre block near the James Street precinct, the iconic residence features a wraparound veranda, timber floors, a generations-old poinciana tree and even the original outhouse. Thirteen bidders registered, while seven were active. A local family hoping to renovate the home kicked things off at $3 million, with the price quickly soaring to $4.3 million. It was then called on the market, leading to a final bidding battle between the family and an expat returning from the UK. In the end the expat walked away with the keys. Selling agent Heath Williams, of Place New Farm, said the home drew strong interest, with dozens of buyers inspecting and a huge crowd turning out to watch the historic sale unfold. 'It was a pretty rare listing – there aren't many blocks this size (in New Farm) … and it was a near flat block too,' he said. 'But the market is also interesting right now – previously, renovators weren't the flavour of the month.' He said a new build on a similar block nearby recently sold for just $800,000 more - showing buyers were again willing to invest in fixer-uppers. Over in Holland Park, a couple of investors paid $1.366 million for a five-bedroom post-war home they hadn't even inspected. The property at 57 Layard Street sits on a 617-square-metre block and includes a fully self-contained downstairs space. Four bidders competed, with a Toowoomba family looking to relocate to Brisbane opening the auction at $1 million. 'It was pretty competitive until $1.32 million, at which point we were above the reserve,' said co-selling agent Patrick Goldsworthy, of Place Estate Agents Bulimba. Loading 'Then there were just two buyers left battling it out until the end, but the investors got it. And they were really nonchalant and would have happily kept going. 'The fact that it sold for $60,000 over the reserve just shows the value of Holland Park.' The couple saw the property for the first time mere minutes before the auction. 'It was actually her birthday and she said it was a bit of a gift to herself,' Goldsworthy said. 'After the auction, they even asked me if they could take a bit more of a look around.' He added the vendors had owned the home for 11 years and were making a 'tree change' to the Sunshine Coast. Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Brisbane's auction results showed strong momentum, with their internal clearance rate hitting 87 per cent. 'That's up from 64.3 per cent last year,' she said. 'It tells us people have shrugged off the interest rate hold and that they're expecting a cut in two weeks.' The only headwind, she said, remained a significant shortage of listings, though she expected a spring surge.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shake-up continues at Channel Seven as the network makes a MAJOR move with even more staffing changes
After being rocked with staff walkouts as top talent flees to rival networks, Seven appears to be readying for another shake-up. Two reporters from regional channels have been relocated to a major metro centre, fuelling speculation that Seven are readying to launch a fresh news program. Sheri Smith, who has been with the network as a journalist since last year, has taken up a spot in Melbourne, alongside Seven News reporter Phoebe Worthley. Smith makes the move after a recent stint in Toowoomba. The young journo also got five months experience at Seven's Brisbane station. 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. Meanwhile, Worthley comes to her new gig after working for Seven for the last two years in Albury. 'I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a News Reporter at Seven Network in Melbourne!' she shared to LinkedIn on Sunday. Worthley has also held reporter roles in Canberra and at Nine in Sydney. Industry blog TV Tonight reported on Monday that the relocation of Worthley and Smith has led to speculation that Seven Melbourne is readying a new bulletin for the afternoon slot. It comes after Seven suffered the loss of three top reporters last month. Award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan and Spotlight producer-reporter Denham Hitchcock all resigned in early June. All three joined 10 as part of the team behind 10 News+, which has been a ratings disappointment since it debuted in The Project's old slot on June 30. Hitchcock, who was announced as the face of the show alongside Amelia Brace in June, responded to two followers who left brutal comments on his Instagram page criticising the new show. One social media user accused the presenter of sharing 'fake news' on the show. However, the 48-year-old didn't hold back, asking: 'Which stories have you seen on this program that have been fake?' Another troll slammed Denham for his vaccine stance, writing: 'How are we supposed to believe you @denhamhitchcock? 'You were vaccine injured and decided to take a payout over the truth! At a time when millions of people needed popular voices to tell the truth … you tried … then took off on your yacht,' the person wrote. Denham, who was hospitalised in 2021 after experiencing a rare side effect called pericarditis following his initial two Pfizer jabs, took aim at the accusation in a fiery response. 'What payout you tool? I quit my job and went sailing to spend time with my family,' he wrote. He went on: 'I am still looking into all this – I just don't believe everything I read like you do. It takes time to prove this stuff. Not just rant. Grow up.' Earlier this month, it was reported that 10 News+ had been savaged in the ratings following its premiere. The current affairs program, slotted in to replace The Project after it was sensationally axed following 16 years on air, was watched by a paltry 291,000 people, according to ratings released by OzTAM. Channel Nine and Channel Seven dominated the time slot, with 7News attracting 1.5 million viewers, and 9News following closely with 1.45 million viewers. 10News+'s figures only got worse, dropping to 244,000 by the following Tuesday and sliding further still to 205,000 by midweek.
ABC News
21-07-2025
- ABC News
Bruce Lehrmann's lawyer queries 'possible destruction' of evidence in Toowoomba rape case
A rape case involving former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has heard claims about "the possible destruction" of a police hard drive containing evidence relating to the case. The claim by Mr Lehrmann's defence counsel, Zali Burrows, was made during a mention of the matter in the Toowoomba District Court today. "We have received information, which was contained in one of the redacted police notebooks, which raises the possible destruction of exculpatory material, which is basically a hard drive that the police officer in charge placed all the material and evidence on and that subsequently has been damaged and we have made a request for that to be made available for an independent IT interrogation," Ms Burrows told the court. She said the defence wanted the police officer to appear at court later this week for cross-examination. Mr Lehrmann faces two counts of rape, alleged to have occurred in Toowoomba in October 2021. The 30-year-old has been committed for trial on the matter but has not yet been required to enter a formal plea. A pre-trial hearing of the case is due to be held on Friday. Today's hearing came after Mr Lehrmann's lawyer recently lodged an application for a permanent stay of the case against her client. The court today heard that Mr Lehrmann's defence is seeking full disclosure of the cellebrite forensic download report of the complainant's mobile telephone, in an unredacted form. The defence is also seeking unredacted versions of three police notebooks in relation to the case — two notebooks of the investigating officer, Detective Senior Constable Ashlee Ryder, and one notebook of an unknown police officer. The two issues — of the mobile phone report and the police notebooks — will be heard at Friday's hearing. Judge Benedict Power also questioned Ms Burrows about an application she had made last week for the complainant in the matter to be subpoenaed to testify later this week. Ms Burrows said it related only to the complainant's communication with investigating police. But Judge Power pointed out there were restrictions in relation to cross-examination of complainants in sexual assault cases. "On what basis did you think you could simply, without reference to the court, require the complainant to come and give evidence?" Judge Power asked. Ms Burrows then asked to have the request set aside. Judge Power also noted that the defence had sought for the investigating police officer to provide a wide-ranging list of documents including all police notebooks, all police diaries and police reports of the Bruce Lehrmann investigation. Judge Power said the subpoena should be directed, not to the individual officer as it was, but to the commissioner of police. Ms Burrows told the court that the investigation hard drive was in the possession of the police officer. After legal argument Ms Burrows agreed to set aside two points of her application: seeking a declaration that Queensland Police do not have the power to determine what is relevant to a defence case and must disclose all materials; and that the prosecution must ensure the defence has a list of all materials regardless of police or prosecution view of relevance. Judge Power had noted these declarations would be academic if the defence obtained the material it was seeking on subpoena. Ms Burrows said that when the matter comes back before the court the defence would seek a ruling that the redactions to police notebooks be lifted and the defence receive unredacted versions. Mr Lehrmann's defence has, in addition to filing an application for a permanent stay of the case, sought a declaration that intercepted phone calls between Mr Lehrmann's lawyers and Queensland police were "illegally obtained". The prosecution and defence did not appear personally in court today and were heard via telephone link. Mr Lehrmann was also on the call but did not make any comment. The matter will be back in court on Friday for a hearing.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Two men killed in light plane crash that ignited ‘fireball' in Queensland
A pilot and flight examiner have died in a light plane crash that ignited a 'fireball' in south-eastern Queensland A twin turboprop Reims Cessna F406 aircraft owned by Aero Logistics crashed into a grassy area at Devon Park, near Oakey, west of Toowoomba, about 3pm on Sunday. Two men on board the aircraft, confirmed as an Aero Logistics pilot and an external flight examiner, died in the crash. 'This is a terrible tragedy for the two people onboard the aircraft and their families, friends and workmates,' Ben Smee, the chief executive of Aero Logistics, said in a statement. 'They were experienced pilots and well-respected by everyone at Aero Logistics. 'This is a devastating loss for everyone who knew them.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Smee said the company has offered its support to the families of the two men and counselling services to staff. 'Safety is our first and most important priority. The cause of the accident will be thoroughly investigated for the sake of the families and the ongoing safety of our fleet,' he said. Police said the crash caused the plane to burst into flames on impact. 'There was a very large fireball and Queensland Fire Department did attend and extinguished the fire,' Sen Sgt Matt Forbes told reporters on Sunday. Forbes said the plane crashed into a field, and the property owner heard a 'loud explosion' which prompted the call to emergency services. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it would transport the recovered aircraft wreckage to its technical facilities in Canberra for examination. It urged anyone with video footage of the light plane, at any phase of the flight or in the immediate aftermath of the crash, to contact the agency. Aero Logistics confirmed it would fully cooperate with the investigation and has suspended all flight operations until further notice.
