A billionaire couple have won the right to remove a single tree from the driveway of
their lavish $20million mansion after being blocked
by their local council.
Paul Holmes a Court, the son of Australia's first
billionaire Robert Holmes a Court, and his wife Zara had been at
loggerheads with their local council over a request to remove a single peppermint tree growing
in the middle of their driveway.
The couple bought the four-bedroom mansion in the affluent, tree-lined suburb overlooking Perth's Freshwater
Bay for $20.1million in August.
They wanted to remove the tree but the Shire of Peppermint Grove refused the request on the grounds the tree was not dead or deceased.
'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that
the tree placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes a Court previously told a council meeting.
'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, but a tree
in the middle of the driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.'
The couple enjoyed a breakthrough at a council meeting
last week after an alternative motion was unanimously passed that allowed the
tree to be removed on the condition they paid a $2,500 bond before any work was done on the driveway.
They will also need to plant two replacement trees
on their property.
Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of Australia's first
billionaire, famed tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, who died
suddenly of heart failure at the age of 53
Paul Holmes à Court and his wife Zara won a council battle to remove
a peppermint tree (pictured) from the driveway of
their $20million mansion
Ms Holmes a Court previously claimed the tree's odd placement also
made it difficult to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.
After the motion to remove the tree was passed at the meeting, councillor Douglas
Jackson said it was a 'good outcome'.
'I think it meets both the owners' wants, or expectation, but also matches the council's needs at the same time by ensuring that there is tree cover on the verge of
that property,' he said.
Peppermint Grove is hoping to implement a policy that would even make it an offence
to damage or remove any mature trees on private property without council approval.
Last month, WA Planning Minister John Carey said he hoped the Shire of Peppermint Grove
would 'take a common sense approach' to the issue.
'This is part of the challenge that we do have with local government.
I've always been on the record that we need local governments to take
a common sense approach to issues,' Mr Carey told the West Australian.
'And I understand people are passionate about trees.
But ultimately, we do need local governments to assess the situation and find pragmatic outcomes.'
According to the online listing for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion - which is built on a corner
block along the banks of the Swan River - the sprawling Federation-style property was built in around 1904.
The Holmes à Court property was built in around 1904
in Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style
The home boast an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay
'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and
Crafts' style, the home has retained all its elegance and splendour
via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches,
casement-style sash windows, and walls of French doors that bathe the home in light, reflecting river views beyond,' the listing said.
The property also features 'Plush Champagne-hued carpets' and 'cobble-stoned remote garage to accommodate six cars, abundant storage,
gym area, double vanity rain-shower bathroom and climate-controlled wine cellar.'
Mr Holmes a Court is the chief executive of prize-winning wine label Vasse Felix
and the brother of Peter Holmes à Court, who once jointly owned of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court.
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