A billionaire couple have won the right to remove a single tree from the driveway of their lavish $20million mansion after being blocked by <br>
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their local council. <br>
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Paul Holmes a Court, the son of Australia's first billionaire Robert <br>
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Holmes a Court, and his wife Zara had been at loggerheads with <br>
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their local council over a request to remove a single peppermint tree growing in the <br>
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middle of their driveway.<br>
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The couple bought the four-bedroom mansion in the affluent, tree-lined suburb overlooking Perth's Freshwater Bay for $20.1million in August.<br>
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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. <br>
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'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that the <br>
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tree placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes a Court previously told a <br>
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council meeting. <br>
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'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, but a tree in the middle of the <br>
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driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.'<br>
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The couple enjoyed a breakthrough at a council meeting last week after an alternative <br>
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motion was unanimously passed that allowed the tree to be <br>
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removed on the condition they paid a $2,500 bond before any <br>
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work was done on the driveway.<br>
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<b><u>They will also need to plant two replacement trees on their property.</u></b><br>
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Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of <br>
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Australia's first billionaire, famed tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, who died <br>
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suddenly of heart failure at the age of 53<br>
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Paul Holmes à Court and his wife Zara won a council battle to remove a peppermint tree <br>
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(pictured) from the driveway of their $20million mansion<br>
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Ms Holmes a Court previously claimed the tree's odd placement also made it difficult <br>
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to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.<br>
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After the motion to remove the tree was passed at the meeting, councillor Douglas Jackson said <br>
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it was a 'good outcome'.<br>
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'I think it meets both the owners' wants, or expectation, but <br>
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also matches the council's needs at the same time by ensuring that there is tree cover on the <br>
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verge of that property,' he said.<br>
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Peppermint Grove is hoping to implement a policy that would <br>
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even make it an offence to damage or remove any mature trees <br>
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on private property without council approval.<br>
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Last month, WA Planning Minister John Carey said he hoped the Shire of Peppermint <br>
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Grove would 'take a common sense approach' to the issue.<br>
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'This is part of the challenge that we do have with local government.<br>
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I've always been on the record that we need local governments to <br>
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take a common sense approach to issues,' Mr Carey told the West <br>
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Australian. <br>
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'And I understand people are passionate about trees.<br>
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But ultimately, we do need local governments to assess the situation and find pragmatic outcomes.'<br>
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According to the online listing for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion - which is built on a corner block <br>
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along the banks of the Swan River - the sprawling Federation-style property was built in around <br>
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1904. <br>
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<strong><u>The Holmes à Court property was built in around 1904 in Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style</u></strong><br>
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<b>The home boast an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay</b><br>
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'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style, the home <br>
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has retained all its elegance and splendour via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches,<br>
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casement-style sash windows, and walls of French doors <br>
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that bathe the home in light, reflecting river views <br>
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beyond,' the listing said.<br>
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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 <br>
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climate-controlled <a href="http://seaon.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=qnaa&wr_id=149237">ขาย wine</a> cellar.'<br>
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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 <br>
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the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court.<br>
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Property ValuePerthWestern AustraliaProperty
A billionaire couple have won