Football couple Cooper Cronk and Tara Rushton are embroiled in a council dispute with their neighbours over privacy concerns caused by a multi-million dollar renovation.
The former Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters star and his wife, who is a Ten Sports presenter, complained that the $3.7 million renovation of the house next door would leave their neighbour with a direct view into their children’s bedrooms.
The proposed works included a new swimming pool, outdoor terrace and new garden, but Cronk and Rushton were concerned that this would expose their children to prying eyes.
And they warned that this would also give their children a good view of their neighbours’ house in posh Georges Heights, which has breathtaking views over Sydney Harbour.
“Privacy is a two-way street and I’m sure they don’t want our young children staring directly into their living spaces from their bedrooms,” Cronk told the council.
Cronk and Rushton’s submission was one of two submitted in response to the development application. Their primary focus was on privacy issues, but there were also secondary concerns about power outages during development.
“We note that the design of the house causes the doors and windows of the kitchen and upstairs dining and living rooms to face directly onto our property,” Cronk wrote.
“We believe this has created a direct privacy issue between the two properties.”
Cooper Cronk and Tara Rushton are involved in a neighborhood dispute over a house renovation
The former Melbourne Storm star and his sports presenter wife complained that the $3.7 million upgrade to the house next door would give their neighbour a direct view into their children’s bedrooms
The couple were also concerned that the renovation would disrupt the electricity supply, as a power pole would instead be removed to allow the cables to be routed underground.
In a surprise confession, the successful couple, who both have lucrative jobs in the media, admitted that they mainly work from home instead of going to the office.
“We understand that carrying out this work will cause inconvenience to the operation of our home,” Cronk wrote.
“My wife and I both work from home with fixed deadlines and we always need power.”
The development application is expected to be approved after changes are made to the plans in response to complaints to the council.
Cronk, 40, retired from the NRL in 2019 after playing in a record three consecutive finals.
He currently holds a commentary position at Fox Sports and an advisory role at an asset management company.
Tara, 37, is the lead football presenter at Network 10 and Paramount+.
The soccer couple, who married in 2017, have two sons, Lennox and Harley, and bought the architecturally designed home in 2022 for $8.75 million.
The couple live in the $8.75 million home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore
This luxurious retreat is an entertainer’s dream, with a large garden, manicured patios and a swimming pool.
In April, one of Cronk’s neighbours submitted plans to Mosman City Council for a $3.7 million renovation of their home, including a new swimming pool and outdoor deck
The couple believes that a direct privacy issue has arisen between the two properties
This luxurious retreat is a dream for every guest, with a large garden, manicured patios and a swimming pool.
The property also features four bedrooms, a fireplace in the living room and beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows.
In July 2021, Cooper and Tara sold their four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home in Mosman for a reported $5 million.
The couple had already successfully applied to Mosman City Council in 2019 for a nearly $900,000 renovation of that property.
The development was approved without the neighbours filing a complaint about the plan with the council.