Record sale for Lakeside

Kathy Burgstahler, Cardinia mayor Collin Ross, Jack Mitchell, James Kennedy from Shanikas, Narelle Williamson from Star News Group, Bendigo Bank Lakeside branch manager Campbell Connell, Janette Young from Star News Group, Adam Sadiqzai from Khan's Hospitality Service and Margaret Mitchell. 174875

 

By Mark Clancy

Superstar real estate agent Kathy Burgstahler broke the record for home sales in the Lakeside estate when she achieved a price of $1.2 million in under seven days.

She called together the original founders of the estate to celebrate the sale and also to appreciate how far the area had come.

Among the gathering by the lake’s fountain with Kathy on Friday 17 November were Cardinia Shire Mayor Collin Ross, estate pioneers Jack and Margaret Mitchell, Shanikas restaurant’s James Kennedy, Bendigo Bank Lakeside Branch Manager Campbell Connell, Adam Khan from the Cardinia Cultural Centre and Star News Group’s Janette Young and Narelle Williamson.

“We all went off to the Vista Café at the Cultural Centre and had coffee and reminisced about where it has come from and where it is today.

“It was fascinating to hear what the area was like before – it was all just farmland and paddocks.”

Kathy has lived in Lakeside since 2008, has been the president of the Lakeside Residents’ Group for three years and hosted the estate’s 10th birthday celebrations and the opening of Cardinia Station.

The Principal of Kathy Burgstahler Real Estate in Officer sold the home at 29 Clearwater Drive for the record price which was also well over the asking price.

She said it was heartening to have several offers for the home and that all potential buyers said they wanted to move into an area that was “scenic, safe and with a community to be able to raise a family in”.

“The highest previous sale was $940,000,” she said.

“I had a lot of negativity beforehand with naysayers saying there was no way that it would get over $1 million, but the area has so much to offer.”

She said the thriving success of the estate had been due to the hard work of Jack and Margaret Mitchell in setting up the Lakeside Residents’ Group and pushing for a Lakeside Bendigo Community Bank.

Now businesses have brought a vibrancy to the estate, none more so than the Shanikas at Viale Restaurant which has become a foodies’ delight and a mecca for local residents who know all the staff by name.

For entertainment Kathy says she adores going to see the international acts at the iconic Cardinia Cultural Centre and chilling out at the Vista Café which overlooks the lake and has become an important part of community life.

She also gave credit to the support from Cardinia Shire Council which sent along a representative to every residents’ meeting and she gave a good word to the Pakenham Gazette and parent company Star News Group for the coverage of community events.

“Having councillor Collin Ross in this photo meant a great deal to us as, along with Cr Brett Owen,” she said.

“Neither missed a single event or meeting and were always there to support the residents,” she said.

She also said that residents appreciated the work that developer Delfin put into the very earliest stages of the estate.
“Without their foresight, attention to public space detail and care the estate would not be the thriving community that it is today,” she said.

“Lakeside has arrived. It has reached its goal of being a sought-after community for families to grow, a destination for people to meet up and have a five-star meal, catch a quality show, walk for kilometres, and socialise.

“I love Lakeside, I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I want to give credit where it’s due.

“A lot of people have given blood sweat and tears and it’s finally paying off,” she said.