A billionaire couple have won the right to remove a single <br>
<br>
tree from the driveway of their lavish $20million mansion after being blocked by their local <br>
<br>
council. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Paul Holmes a Court, the son of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes a Court, and his <br>
<br>
wife Zara had been at loggerheads with their local council over a <br>
<br>
request to remove a single peppermint tree growing in the middle of their <br>
<br>
driveway.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The couple bought the four-bedroom mansion in the <br>
<br>
affluent, tree-lined suburb overlooking Perth's Freshwater Bay for <br>
<br>
$20.1million in August.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
They wanted to remove the tree but the Shire of Peppermint Grove <br>
<br>
refused the request on the grounds the tree was not dead or deceased. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that the tree <br>
<br>
placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes a Court previously told a council meeting. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, but a <br>
<br>
tree in the middle of the driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.'<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The couple enjoyed a breakthrough at a council meeting last week after an alternative motion was unanimously passed that allowed <br>
<br>
the tree to be removed on the condition they paid a $2,500 bond before any work was done on the driveway.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
They will also need to plant two replacement trees on their property.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of Australia's first billionaire,<br>
<br>
famed tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, who died suddenly of <br>
<br>
heart failure at the age of 53<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Paul Holmes à Court and his wife Zara won a council battle to remove a <br>
<br>
peppermint tree (pictured) from the driveway of <br>
<br>
their $20million mansion<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Ms Holmes a Court previously claimed the tree's odd placement also <br>
<br>
made it difficult to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
After the motion to remove the tree was passed at the meeting, councillor Douglas Jackson said it was a 'good outcome'.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'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 <br>
<br>
cover on the verge of that property,' he said.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Peppermint Grove is hoping to implement a policy that would even make it an offence to damage or <br>
<br>
remove any mature trees on private property without council approval.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Last month, WA Planning Minister John Carey said he hoped the Shire of <br>
<br>
Peppermint Grove would 'take a common sense approach' to the issue.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'This is part of the challenge that we do have with local government.<br>
<br>
I've always been on the record that we need local governments to take a common sense approach to issues,<br>
<br>
' Mr Carey told the West Australian. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'And I understand people are passionate about trees.<br>
<br>
But ultimately, we do need local governments to assess the <br>
<br>
situation and find pragmatic outcomes.'<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
According to the online listing for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion - which is built on a <br>
<br>
corner block along the banks of the Swan River - the sprawling Federation-style property was built in around 1904. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The Holmes à Court property was built in around 1904 in Federation 'Arts and <br>
<br>
Crafts' style<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The home boast an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh <br>
<br>
Water Bay<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style, the home has retained all its elegance and <br>
<br>
splendour via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches, casement-style sash windows, and walls of French doors that bathe the home in light, <br>
<br>
reflecting river views beyond,' the listing <br>
<br>
said.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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.'<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Mr Holmes a Court is the chief executive of prize-winning ขาย <br>
<br>
wine - http://xinyue234.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=663063 label <br>
<br>
Vasse Felix and the brother of Peter Holmes à Court, who once jointly owned of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, <br>
<br>
and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Property ValuePerthWestern AustraliaProperty
A billionaire couple have won