A billionaire couple have won the right to remove a single tree <br>
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from the driveway of their lavish $20million mansion after being blocked by their local council. <br>
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Paul Holmes a Court, the son of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes a Court, and his wife <br>
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Zara had been at loggerheads with their local council over a <br>
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request to remove a single peppermint tree growing in the middle of their driveway.<br>
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The couple bought the four-bedroom mansion in the affluent, tree-lined suburb <br>
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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 <br>
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Grove refused the request on the grounds the tree was not <br>
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dead or deceased. <br>
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'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that the tree placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes <br>
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a Court previously told a council meeting. <br>
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'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, <br>
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but a tree in the middle of the driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.'<br>
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The couple enjoyed a breakthrough at a council meeting <br>
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last week after an alternative motion was unanimously passed <br>
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that allowed the tree to be removed on the condition they paid a $2,500 bond before any work was done on the driveway.<br>
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They will also need to plant two replacement trees on their property.<br>
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Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of Australia's first <br>
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billionaire, famed tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, who died 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 <br>
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tree (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 to <br>
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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 <br>
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Jackson said 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 verge of that property,' he said.<br>
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Peppermint Grove is hoping to implement a policy that would even make it an offence to damage <br>
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or remove any mature trees 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 <br>
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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. <br>
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'And I understand people are passionate about trees. But ultimately, we do <br>
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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 along the banks of the <br>
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Swan River - the sprawling Federation-style property was built in around 1904. <br>
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The Holmes à Court property was built in around 1904 in Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style<br>
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The home boast an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay<br>
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'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style, the home has retained all its elegance and splendour <br>
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via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches, casement-style <br>
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sash windows, and walls of French doors that bathe the home in light, reflecting river views beyond,' the listing said.<br>
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The property also features 'Plush Champagne-hued carpets' and 'cobble-stoned remote garage to accommodate <br>
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six cars, abundant storage, gym area, double vanity rain-shower bathroom and climate-controlled wine 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 <br>
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Court, who once jointly owned of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist <br>
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Simon Holmes à Court.<br>
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Property ValuePerthWestern AustraliaProperty<br>
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A billionaire couple have won