Hi, it’s Adrian Bo, and today I’m back at Coogee Beach to talk about a few recent local initiatives, as well as update you on my two extraordinary auctions over the weekend. Firstly, an interesting development at last week’s RCC meeting regarding the shark nets that currently reside off both Coogee and Maroubra Beaches. RCC have voted to begin a trial aimed at replacing the shark nets with a new technology, due to the harm the nets cause on the sea life itself. Now, this is on the back of a $16 million, five year shark management strategy run by the state gov’t, which found that smart drumlines were four times more effective than nets. The nets will remain in place whilst the trial is going on, and RCC have made it very clear that the nets won’t be removed without “significant consultation and engagement with the local community”.

The new technology will include smart drumlines, drones overhead, and listening stations focused on detecting sharks that have been tagged. The listening stations are buoys placed in popular swimming areas, and detect tagged sharks within 500 metres, which triggers a real-time time alert to the SharkSmart app, the website, and to Twitter, as well. Now a few weeks ago, I featured the amazing “Coogee Castle” on Bunya Parade, now owned by Laurie Macri, a former Macquarie executive and ATC chairman. The property has just gone on the market for sale, and is projected to sell for between $15.5 and $17 million, which will smash the Coogee record. Laurie and Christi Macri bought the property for $7.5 Million in 2005 from the Singletons, who paid $8.2 Million for it in 2003. That just shows the rollercoaster cycles that can occur in our marketplace. Now, on another local initiative, the update on the Coogee Bay Road shared village project, which was first launched in November last year as a trial, which looks like now, unfortunately, it will be coming to an end. It seems to have been a great success, however, giving more space for businesses to help recover from COVID19 and the effects that that had on local business. The section of Coogee Bay Road between Arden and Brook Street is being reinstated to two-way traffic again, after the sandstone blocks, street furniture, and synthetic grass have been removed. I’m sure this will polarise the local community.

Also, this week’s RCC meeting put out their operational plan and budget for next year, and it includes an $85 million capital works programme, of which the Heffron Centre in Maroubra will be the star attraction. But it also includes 33 road upgrades across 3.4 kilometres of road, 47 foot path upgrades across 2.8 kilometres of foot path, a new arts centre at Blenheim House in Randwick, as well as a range of community upgrades including indoor and outdoor gyms, synthetic playing fields, playground updates, and youth facilities. Last weekend, I was absolutely delighted with my two local auctions. Firstly, I had 6/58 Dolphin Street in Coogee. I had a price guide of 750, so when I finally brought the hammer down at $910,000 after a lively auction, it was yet another very clear indication of how my unique social and digital marketing system is delivering extraordinary value, and my role as both the agent and the auctioneer enables me to represent each property to a much deeper level. The buyers were absolutely delighted with their acquisition, so everyone’s a winner. Also, I’ve sold many properties in the Endeavour 88 estate on Fairsky Street in South Coogee. But when I took 107 Fairsky Street to auction on Saturday, I knew from the open homes leading up to the auction day that interest had increased substantially.

Again, due to my unique social targeting and retargeting marketing system. The price guide was $2.1 million, but my hammer finally went down as the agent and the auctioneer at an eye-watering $2,745,000, which is a record for a four bedroom home in this development. Again, a great result for the vendor, and a very happy buyer who will love living in this beautiful South Coogee private enclave. The market is very strong, however, I’m certain no other agent could be obtaining such premium prices. As always, I hope you enjoy our beautiful Coogee lifestyle with all the facilities on offer, and please, don’t take for granted the outstanding lifestyle that Coogee brings to us. And always remember, your home is worth more with Adrian Bo.