A four-bedroom home on a 4.71ha bushland property at Macclesfield, in the Dandenong Ranges foothills, has been listed for private sale. Price expectations sit between $2.9m and $3.1m. The property at 88 Kirkpatricks Road has been renovated and extended over two decades by its owner, Paige Fleming, working with architect Mark Burns. Features include landscaped gardens and a black infinity edge pool. Barry Plant Emerald agent Justin Barrot is handling the sale.
Forensic psychiatrist Rajan Darjee's data shows 43 of an estimated 126 Victorian homicides in 2024 and 2025 were committed by people with psychosis. That is up from about one in 10 a decade ago. Almost 84 per cent of offenders had previously received treatment from mental health services. Professor Patrick McGorry blamed a policy failure to build a modern care system. Experts called for a review of the royal commission's recommendations and a greater focus on severe mental illness.
Consumer spending across Stonnington grew 8.1 per cent on the previous year, reaching $3.78 billion in 2025/26, according to new council data. Malvern East, including Chadstone, remained the largest spending destination at $1.8 billion, up 13 per cent. South Yarra and Glenferrie Road, Malvern also recorded gains, while night-time spending made up 22 per cent of the total. Council says it will fund precinct activations, business grants and night-time safety work in 2026/27.
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Victorians vote on Saturday, November 28, in a state election that could end Labor's 12 years in government. Opinion polls show Labor, One Nation and the Coalition each have about a quarter of first preference votes. The Coalition is the favourite on a two-party basis, but One Nation could hold the balance of power in a hung parliament. Enrolment closes at 8pm on Tuesday, November 3. Early voting opens on November 18, and postal vote applications open on November 4.
Typical home prices in 18 Melbourne suburbs have moved above the $950,000 cap for the federal first-home buyer scheme, according to new REA Group figures. The cap was lifted by $150,000 last October, but rising prices have pushed these suburbs beyond it again. Templestowe's median unit price now sits $31,500 above the limit. Industry figures say the scheme makes larger mortgages easier to access but does not necessarily make housing more affordable, while one builder reports packages starting at about $450,000.
Most Cricket Latrobe Valley clubs now field senior women's teams, and the standard has risen over the past decade. Columnist Liam Durkin points to strong batting at a recent game at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe, where Emily Nadj scored 30 runs off 16 balls. He says women players are often better at improvised shots, while investment in the women's game still lags behind the men's. Local player Nicole Faltum, who has played in the WBBL for more than 10 seasons, says growing professionalism will lift the standard further.
Chef Amandeep Rolay has returned to hospitality with Rolay’z Kitchen, a takeaway business operating from a council-approved home kitchen in North Wonthaggi. The business drew about 150 people to a curry feast at Dalyston Hall on October 17. Rolay closed his Indian restaurant in Rhyll during the COVID pandemic. The takeaway serves dishes including butter chicken and rogan josh, prepared to order. Rolay plans to hold another feast about every three months.
Labor MP Tim Watts has reflected on how politicians move freely among the public, following an attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Haines was allegedly struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on 19 October and has suffered catastrophic injuries. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and police have not established a motive. Watts says threats against MPs have risen fourfold since 2020. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor have both condemned the attack.
Independent MP Helen Haines has been recovering in hospital after she was allegedly deliberately rammed by a 4WD outside her electorate office in Wangaratta. Haines, 65, had both legs amputated during emergency surgery, and her condition is now serious but stable. Colleague Allegra Spender told parliament that Haines's first words on waking showed concern for her staff, community, bystanders and medical personnel. Spender used the tribute to urge MPs to lower the temperature of political debate, saying abuse aimed at politicians can turn into violence.
Nearly two thirds of Melbourne home sellers who went to auction last week sold, despite having to reveal their reserve prices early. Greater Melbourne recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 60.1% from 539 auctions, according to realestate.com.au. A three-bedroom townhouse in Reservoir sold for $831,000 after attracting five registered bidders, with a young couple buying their first home. The agent lowered the reserve after buyer feedback and then agreed to $795,000 with the owners. Nationally, the preliminary clearance rate was 41.5% from 1,593 homes scheduled for auction.
