http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-coach-mark-thompson-strikes-gold/story-e6frepf6-1225907043696?nk=dd1b5b2d5c203d001a39f2026d5b2e59

August 2010

GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has turned a $400,000 property gamble into a potential $10 million windfall.

A parcel of land purchased by Thompson, developer Mark Casey and Essendon recruiting chief Adrian Dodoro is now tipped to earn them more than $40 million.

They hit the jackpot after a series of State Government zoning changes that will transform the locality into a city the size of Shepparton.

http://geelong.starcommunity.com.au/indy/2010-06-18/creek-flop-highlights-city-housing-bargains/

June 2010
State Planning Minister Justin Madden has given the green light for the release of 500 allotments at Armstrong Creek’s Warralily estate, in the urban growth area’s east precinct

(Justin Madden I found, is an ex AFL player, whose brother Simon played with Mark Thompson)

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/kelly-took-charge-of-club-plan-in-labors-last-days-20110814-1isxg.html

August 2011

THE former planning minister, Tony Kelly, took control of a $200 million redevelopment by the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club under now defunct planning laws days before his government went into caretaker mode.

Mr Kelly wrote to Sutherland Shire Council on February 21, 2011, notifying them the project, which includes 700 apartments and a major retail precinct next to the club and Toyota Stadium, would be assessed under Part 3A ''state significant'' planning laws.

http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/jsp/reports/AirportOverlayIntro.jsp

The Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, MLC, recently approved an amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions, introducing the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay.

The Airport Environs Overlay that applied previously, provided planning controls to manage the environmental effects of aircraft noise and protect the continuing operation of Melbourne Airport. It was first introduced in 1992.

Amendment VC30 which came into effect on 14 May 2007 introduced the new Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay to update the previous overlay and reflect more accurate, revised noise forecast data. The overlay introduced additional controls in relation to the types of uses possible on some lots and the type of construction most appropriate to limit the impact of noise in new buildings.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-tells-bombers-to-be-bold-and-leave-windy-hill-20100602-wzsd.html

June 2010

IN A week when it has become apparent that Gary Ablett will most likely leave Geelong and the competition will pay a rugby league star who has barely kicked a football more than Ablett now earns in marketing money alone, it has also emerged that the AFL has encouraged Essendon to leave Windy Hill.

But AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and chief executive Andrew Demetriou have advised the club to be bold.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/business-tycoon-paul-little-plans-new-vip-jet-base-at-melbourne-airport-20140429-37ftw.html

April 2014

Melbourne businessman Paul Little will establish a VIP jet base at Melbourne Airport after buying the aviation facility assets of Leighton Holdings subsidiary John Holland in a deal understood to be worth about $10 million.

He is also chairman of AFL club Essendon.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/02/1070351579795.html?from=storyrhs

December 2003

Australian Infrastructure Fund is set to buy an extra 3.5 per cent of the company behind Melbourne Airport for $50 million.

The infrastructure investor yesterday announced a deal to buy a further 3.5 per cent of Australian Pacific Airports Corporation, the holding company of Melbourne and Launceston airports.

However, the agreement hinges on whether one of APAC's other shareholders, Deutsche Asset Management, exercises a pre-emptive right and buys more of APAC by December 11.

If this occurs, AIF will acquire only 2.8 per cent of APAC for $40 million. If Deutsche does not act, AIF will get the 3.5 per cent stake, lifting its 5 per cent share in APAC to 8.5 per cent.

This would give AIF and its sister fund, Utilities Trust of Australia, 13.5 per cent of APAC.

UTA, established in 1994, was the first trust set up by Hastings Funds Management, which also manages AIF. UTA bought a 5 per cent stake in APAC in 1997 when Melbourne Airport was privatised.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/10/11/industries/mike-fitzpatricks-grape-escape

October 2013

But the focus of Fitzpatrick’s cellar is far closer to home, taking in Henschke Hill of Grace and “quite a few Granges”, the vintages of which correlate with milestones such as children’s birth dates and the founding of Hastings Funds Management.