The son of Australia’s first billionaire is at odds with his local council over their pleas to remove a peppermint tree growing right in the middle of the driveway to his mansion.
In a bizarre move that simply has to be seen to be believed, the previous owners of the palatial extension divided the home’s driveway around the growing tree.
Now Paul Holmes a Court, son of legendary tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, is pleading with his council in one of Perth’s most exclusive enclaves to allow him to unearth it.
Holmes a Court and his wife Zara bought their new mansion in the affluent leafy suburb of Peppermint Grove overlooking Fresh Water Bay for $20.1 million in August and have wasted no time addressing the strange growth.
According to Post Newspapers, Ms Holmes attended the Shire of Peppermint Grove council meeting on Tuesday to seek permission to remove the tree from outside the Kiernan St pile.
“We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say the placement of the trees is unusual,” Mrs Holmes told Court at the meeting.
“I’m a pretty reasonable and rational person, but a tree in the middle of the road makes it quite difficult to reverse.”
She told the meeting that the tree’s odd location also made it difficult to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.
Paul Holmes, a court shelled out more than $20 million for one of Perth’s most expensive mansions overlooking the Swan River; the only problem is the tree dividing the driveway
Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of Australia’s first billionaire, the famous tycoon Robert
The impressive property was built around 1904 in a Federation “Arts and Crafts” style.
The couple’s push to tear down the offending tree comes as councils in the Swan City are introducing strict new measures to safeguard its leafy streets.
Peppermint Grove is currently hoping to implement a policy that would even make it a crime to damage or remove mature trees on private property without council approval.
According to the online listing for his new four-bedroom mansion, built on a corner block along the banks of the Swan River, the sprawling Federation-style mansion was built around 1904.
‘Designed in the rare Federation ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, the house has retained all its elegance and splendor through high ceilings, spacious terraces, charming decorative arches, casement-style sash windows and walls of French doors that bathe the light house , reflecting the views of the river beyond,” the ad said.
‘Located in the heart of the private school network and opposite the esteemed Royal Fresh Water Bay Yacht Club and Peppermint Grove Tennis Club, this sought-after address offers some of the most exclusive unobstructed river views in Perth, along with… South Cottesloe Beach just a 5 minute drive away.’
The house boasts an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay
The magnificent mansion is located in the heart of exclusive Peppermint Grove County.
When the house was recently renovated, the driveway had to be split on either side of the mint tree as part of the development approval.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Holmes told Court the couple would happily cover the costs of planting more trees on the edge in return for permission to remove the current one.
County officials have recommended that the council reject Holmes’ request to Courts and insist that the tree remain firmly rooted where it is.
However, WA Planning Minister John Carey told the West Australian newspaper he hoped the Shire of Peppermint Grove would “take a common sense approach” to the issue.
‘This is part of the challenge we have with local government. “I have always been clear that we need local governments to take a common sense approach to problems,” Mr Carey told the West Australian newspaper.
‘And I understand that people are passionate about trees. But ultimately we need local governments to assess the situation and find pragmatic outcomes.
Paul’s brother Peter Holmes, a Court (left), was co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with actor Russell Crowe, seen here in 2006 with then NRL boss David Gallop.
‘We are trying to do everything we can to increase tree cover in Perth. As a state we are currently developing urban tree cover, but in this case I would urge the local government to consider trying to resolve this issue with the landowner.’
Holmes a Court is the CEO of an award-winning wine brand and the brother of Peter Holmes a Court, who once co-owned the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes a Court.
The council will announce its decision on November 26.