Son of Australia’s first billionaire Paul Holmes a Court locked in local council battle over dream home that’s so bizarre even the state planning minister is weighing in

The son of Australia’s first billionaire is at loggerheads with his council over his pleas to remove a peppermint tree growing in the middle of his mansion’s driveway.

In a bizarre move that simply has to be seen to be believed, the previous owners of the palatial spread split the home’s driveway around the growing roadside tree.

Now Paul Holmes a Court – son of legendary tycoon Robert Holmes a Court – is pleading with his community in one of Perth’s most exclusive enclaves to let him dig it up.

Mr Holmes a Court and his wife Zara bought their new mansion in the affluent, tree-lined suburb of Peppermint Grove overlooking Fresh Water Bay for $20.1 million in August and have wasted no time in tackling the strange growth.

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, according to Post Newspapers.

“We are fortunate to live here, but I must say the placement of the trees is unusual,” Ms Holmes a Court said at the meeting.

“I’m a reasonable and rational person, but a tree in the middle of the driveway makes it difficult to back up.”

She told the meeting that the tree’s odd placement also made it difficult to see cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.

Paul Holmes a Court (photo) is the son of Australia’s first billionaire, the famous tycoon Robert

The impressive building was built around 1904 in the style of the Federation ‘Arts and Crafts’

The couple’s attempt to take down the offending tree comes as councils across Swan City introduce strict new measures to protect their leafy streets.

Peppermint Grove is currently hoping to implement a policy that would even make it a criminal offense to damage or remove mature trees on private property without council approval.

According to the online advertisement for their new four-bedroom mansion, which is 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 retains all its elegance and splendor through high ceilings, impressive verandas, charming decorative arches, casement style sash windows and walls with French doors that bathe the house in light, reflecting the view of the river beyond,” the listing 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 coveted address offers some of the most unique, unobstructed riverfront views in Perth, along with… South Cottesloe Beach just a 5 minute drive away.’

The house offers unparalleled views of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay

The beautiful country house is located in the heart of exclusive Peppermint Grove-shire

When the house was recently renovated, the driveway had to be split on either side of the peppermint tree as part of the building permit.

Mrs Holmes said on Tuesday the couple would be happy to cover the cost of planting more trees on the edge in return for permission to remove the current ones.

Shire officials have recommended that the council reject the Holmes a Court application and insist the tree remains firmly rooted where it is.

However, WA Planning Minister John Carey told the West Australian 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 emphasized that we need local governments to take a common sense approach to issues,” Mr Carey told the West Australian.

‘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) once co-owned the South Sydney Rabbitohs with actor Russell Crowe, seen here in 2006 with then NRL chief David Gallop

“We are trying to do everything we can to increase the canopy in Perth. As a state, we are currently in the process of developing an urban tree canopy, but in this case I would urge the local government to consider resolving this issue with the property owner.”

Mr Holmes a Court is the CEO of the award-winning wine label 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.