A four-bedroom Stanmore terrace that agents described as unlivable sold under the hammer for $2.52 million on Saturday, well above its $2.2 million guide. Five bidders registered and three were active during the auction. Domain recorded a preliminary Sydney clearance rate of 45 per cent from 490 reported results, with 184 auctions withdrawn. In Epping, a five-bedroom house sold for $3,419,168, while in Allambie Heights a three-bedroom house sold at its $2 million guide but below its reserve. LJ Hooker's Mathew Tiller said buyers and sellers were sitting on the fence.
The full board of the Melbourne Market Authority has resigned after the Victorian government appointed former Melbourne Football Club chief executive Paul Guerra as chair. Acting chair Angie Bradbury, who had applied for the three-year role, said she was not prepared to step aside after serving as an effective leader. Board members Margaret Burdeu and Emma Germano also resigned, effective October 29. Acting chief executive Keith Louie has given one month's notice. Mr Guerra was removed from his Melbourne Football Club role in April and has begun Federal Court proceedings against the club.
The Victorian Coalition has pledged to sell the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market at Epping if it wins the state election. The party says industry ownership would better meet the market's needs and cut state net debt by a predicted $578 million. Opposition leader Jess Wilson said industry could run the market better than government. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said Labor has no plans to sell and warned the move would raise grocery prices and harm farmers.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The Victorian Coalition plans to sell the Melbourne wholesale fruit and vegetable market if it wins the November state election. Shadow Agriculture Minister Emma Kealy says the sale would raise around $600 million to help pay down state debt and return the market to wholesalers or industry. Labor has ruled out a sale, so the election will decide the market's future. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle says the sale would make groceries more expensive. Fresh State chief executive Jason Cooper has cautiously welcomed the idea of industry ownership.
Melbourne's large retail car parks, including Bunnings sites and shopping centre edges, are being examined as possible housing locations. The state wants 60,000 new homes near public transport, jobs and services. Monash University's Liz Taylor says parking spaces directly trade off against housing. Urbis's Hamish McKnight says market conditions, construction costs and borrowing costs are the biggest constraints. Building apartments above operating shopping centres is possible but among the most expensive options.
Sydney parents are paying up to $1.3 million more for homes in prestigious public school catchment areas. Research from property valuation firm Opteon shows homes in these areas sell at a 10 per cent premium. Anna Porter, a property valuer, says families are effectively buying access to these schools as part of the property package. The trend is also seen in Melbourne and Brisbane, with significant premiums for homes near high-performing schools.
The Probus Club of Hawks Nest and District is celebrating its 15th anniversary in October 2026, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Australian Probus movement. The club, founded by Ray Hosking and Rex Sargeant, has grown to a membership of 160, with a waiting list. Members marked the milestone with a day out at Winda Woppa, featuring a sausage sizzle and a large cake made by Mema’s Bakery. Hosking, a former president of Epping Probus, has been a key figure in the club’s success.
