Celebrity landscaper Jamie Durie visits the construction site of his six-storey waterfront mansion – after backlash over his application to chop down 17 native trees

Jamie Durie stopped by to see the latest work done on his sprawling six-story waterfront mansion last Wednesday.

The 54-year-old celebrity landscaper was spotted at the massive construction site, located at Avalon Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The former Backyard Blitz star wore standard work clothes, wearing navy trousers and a khaki shirt with a camo padded jacket.

He trudged around outside the house in brown work boots.

Construction is finally in full swing on the beautiful site, a year after Durie managed to get his proposed construction for a $2.7 million home approved.

The property is located on Avalon Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

The multi-storey property on the cliff is covered in scaffolding and some walls of the house have been raised.

The landscape guru won Northern Beaches Council approval for his development application (DA) for the waterfront estate in April last year, despite receiving more than 50 objections from angry locals.

His plans to demolish a 1960s cottage and replace it with a large six-story mansion for his family were first met with opposition from neighbors who objected to the removal of seventeen native trees.

Neighbors then wondered whether the construction of the house would affect the ecosystem of a local colony of micro bats.

The horticulturist said that in his 25 years in the industry, trying to get his renovation plans over the line was the biggest challenge he faced.

“I can tell you right now, if you want to put a prosecutor in Avalon, it will be the most harrowing thing you’ve done in your life,” Durie said. The Daily Telegraph at the time.

Wearing standard work clothes, the former Backyard Blitz star wore navy trousers and a khaki shirt with a camo puffer jacket

He trudged around outside the house in brown work boots

The horticulturist said that in his 25 years in the industry, trying to get his renovation plans over the line was the biggest challenge he faced.

“I’ve spoken to about 20 to 30 people in the last six months who have decided not to file their charges because of the circus this has created.”

Community members were also unhappy with Durie’s plans, saying the home would not fit in with the character of the area.

“It is gross overdevelopment at this location, given the character of the area and the adjacent properties,” one person told the council.

Durie previously made it clear that 1,518 native and endemic species will be planted on and around the site.

“We have fixed the problem and I have sent a letter to all the neighbors and the council explaining what is happening, and hopefully they will see it with our new plans,” he said on Today Extra in 2021.

‘I hear them loud and clear and rest assured, we are going to put plenty of plants in the ground.’

Construction has finally started on the beautiful site with the multi-storey property covered in scaffolding, a year after Durie managed to get his proposed construction for a $2.7 million home approved. Left: the building in November 2022, right: the building in June 2024

His plans to demolish a 1960s cottage and replace it with a large six-story mansion for his family were first met with opposition from neighbors who objected to the removal of seventeen native trees.

Neighbor John Sheehan, a former acting judge of the Land and Environment Court, described the proposal as ‘fatally flawed’ and worried it would have ‘serious and irreversible impacts on biodiversity values’.

Another neighbor said the proposed home does not fit in with the neighboring properties, which respect the topography and vegetation of their sites.

“It is gross overdevelopment at this location given the character of the area and adjacent properties,” their submission said.

‘It should be redesigned by an architect to reduce the site coverage, to retain all significant trees, to be set back from the water’s edge to remain well within the water’s edge building line, and to reduce its excessive size to reduce.’

Another expressed serious concerns that the development, if approved, will set an alarming precedent for future development in the area.

Local heritage and conservation groups also objected to the development, concerned it would not fit in with the character of the area, pose a threat to wildlife and ‘overwhelm its environmentally sensitive block’.

The old house was demolished last July (photo)

Community members were also unhappy with Durie’s plans, saying the home would not fit in with the character of the area

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association said the original proposal would have a detrimental effect on the movement of wildlife in the area and does not reflect the ecological and aesthetic values ​​of the area.

“Council should take into account the cumulative effect that such developments would have on the trees that are crucial to the character of the Avalon area,” their submission said.

‘If these and other similar developments continue, the canopy that gives Avalon its character will eventually disappear.’

The Avalon Preservation Association added: ‘The current trend of proposing very large homes on environmentally sensitive blocks and consequently destroying much of the native vegetation on the block, while a small effect taken in isolation, amounts to ‘death by a thousand cuts’ if it is considered the new. norm.’

Once completed, the property will become Durie’s new family home with fiancé Ameka Jane, their two-year-old daughter Beau and their newborn son Nash.

Another expressed serious concerns that the development, if approved, will set an alarming precedent for future development in the area

Once completed, the property will become Durie’s new family home with fiancé Ameka Jane, their two-year-old daughter Beau and their newborn son Nash.