A six-bedroom home at 15 Freemans Rd, Mt Eliza, has sold for $12 million, close to the suburb's $12.4 million house price record. The sale was the biggest for a house in the suburb since 2017. The listing agent, Michelle Skoglund, called it a positive sign for The Block's House 1 renovation, which is set for auction this weekend. The property sits on 3502 square metres, with about 73 metres fronting Port Phillip Bay. Mr Cooley, a well-known auctioneer, will sell House 1 on the agent's behalf.
The Kirra dredge and its workboats have left Inverloch for Middle Park, where a similar sand renourishment project is set to start by the end of the week. Dredging at Inverloch finished in September, when sand was pumped from Anderson Inlet onto the eroded surf beach. Dune monitoring will now run on a rolling schedule, with drone flights about every six weeks and ground measurements from Point Norman to Flat Rocks. The City of Port Phillip says Middle Park's work has been delayed, and dredging is expected to finish by the end of November, weather permitting.
The boat ramp at Schnapper Point has reopened following upgrades designed to improve safety and access. Better Boating Victoria fully funded the work, which included new jetties, a rebuilt ramp, a concrete pedestrian area and accessible jetties with a hansa hoist. Councillor Paul Pingiaro praised the project for being delivered on time for the boating and snapper season. Mayor Stephen Batty said the facilities would let people of all abilities enjoy boating and fishing. Boardwalk reconstruction is due to start in late October and is expected to finish by Christmas, with temporary closures during construction.
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Wetlands that support migratory shorebirds have gained international recognition, with an expansion of the Bellarine Ramsar boundary now approved. About 1,400 hectares has been added to the existing Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site. The new areas include Point Henry, Edwards Point, Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamp. The revised boundary will now go to the Convention on Wetlands Secretariat for formal adoption. Officials say the wetlands are part of a network that links habitats across continents.
A converted South Melbourne warehouse, a hand-built house in Mount Martha and a Malvern residence with a landscaped pool are among five Melbourne homes highlighted for their distinctive design. The South Melbourne property keeps its warehouse features, including reclaimed-timber ceilings, and contains two independent residences. The Mount Martha home was largely hand-built by Ross Bakker for his family and uses rare West African timber. A single-level Mount Eliza home has four-metre ceilings and a stone-clad fireplace, while a Luciano Bologna-designed Malvern house spans three levels with a bold facade.
Former Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley sold his Aspendale home for $5.75 million less than he paid in 2022. The beachfront property, featuring a tennis court and pool, sold for $7.35 million after being listed for up to $11.5 million. Tiley, who left for a role with the US Tennis Association, incurred a daily loss of $4070 during his ownership. Another Aspendale property, priced at $9.5 million to $9.9 million, is attracting international interest.
Searoad Ferries is running a lottery offering Victorians a $30 return trip for a car and passenger across Port Phillip Bay. The promotion, running until 19 November, aims to help households manage cost-of-living pressures. Winners are chosen weekly and must claim their tickets within a set timeframe. The ferry service connects the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas, offering access to coastal towns and attractions.
Scotchmans Hill in Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula is hosting a wedding expo on 18 October. The event will showcase the estate’s ceremony and reception spaces, with 20 local wedding professionals exhibiting their services. Attendees can enjoy wine tastings, live entertainment, and a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival. Registration is free, with the first 50 registrants receiving a bottle of wine.
A campaign led by environmental lawyer Marteen Koster aims to prevent a floating regasification plant from being built in Port Phillip Bay. Dutch company Vopak proposes a plant 20 kilometres offshore from Avalon, Victoria, which would discharge 480 million litres of chlorinated water daily. Koster argues the project threatens the bay's ecosystem and recreational use, with a petition gathering 8,630 signatures. The Victorian government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
A Victorian-era-inspired homestead in Portarlington, built with reclaimed bricks from Scotch College and flooring from the Port Adelaide Woolshed, is on the market for $3.5 million. The 4.05-hectare property features manicured gardens, a vegetable garden, orchard, and chook run. The four-bedroom house includes timber benchtops, wraparound verandas, and reclaimed blackbutt timber flooring. The listing agent describes it as a rare combination of a country estate just a 20-minute walk from Portarlington Pier.
