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.
Property ValuePerthWestern AustraliaProperty
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