Inside Karl Stefanovic and wife Jasmine’s struggle with local council over their $4.5m home renovation plans – amid claims they will build a wing for Today host’s kids to live in during Sydney housing crisis

Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine have fallen out with their council after their application for a $4.5 million home renovation was rejected.

The Today show host, 49, and the former shoe designer, 39, recently submitted a plan to demolish their two-storey home in Sydney’s affluent suburb of Castlecrag and build a four-storey mansion, but have yet to receive approval. from Willoughby Council.

However, Jasmine refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer and, with the help of a ‘team of specialist lawyers’, has launched a legal challenge against the council. women’s Day magazine claims.

Jasmine has always wanted a big house on the harbor, not unlike what Karl had with his ex-wife (Cassandra Thorburn and their three children River, Willow and Jackson), an insider told the publication Monday.

According to the source, the couple is considering expanding their building plans with an additional wing where Karl’s eldest three children can call home.

“It has been suggested that because of the housing crisis they should consider building a wing with a private entrance for his eldest son Jackson, who like many young people is struggling to get up the real estate ladder,” they claimed.

Moreover, Jasmine and Karl have made no secret of their desire to expand their own brood with a second child.

“At this rate, Karl may have to dig a little deeper, but he wants all his kids under one roof—and plenty of guest rooms for all the in-laws!” source added.

Jasmine, who works as a part-time influencer, would take the lead when it comes to the aesthetic of their new home with the help of her sister Jade, an interior designer.

Women’s Day has also claimed that the Stefanovics are aware of at least two neighbors who have complained to the council about their proposal, and hope everyone can get along once the plans go through.

The plan, which was submitted in March, would see their home have five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool and spa, entertainment area, courtyard and three-car garage.

However, the council has still not made a final decision on the redevelopment and the plans are considered rejected.

A development application not approved by the council within 40 days is deemed to have been refused under NSW planning laws.

Those who have submitted the application can appeal to the Land and Environmental Court to review the plans.

The couple purchased their home, a 1960s three-bedroom home, in 2021 for $3.2 million.

In the DA plan it is described as a ‘dated single storey’ house, while the new house will have a ‘modern design’.

The filing revealed that the couple’s plans included creating 102 square meters of living space below ground level.

It says that ‘the quality of life’ for residents will ‘improve’ according to the plans, while the proposal aims to ‘improve the streetscape and make a positive contribution to the environment.’

According to the development plans, the refurbishment ‘generally’ complied with Willoughby Council planning laws.

However, it failed to meet floor area ratio controls in accordance with local planning regulations. This is the ratio between the floor area of ​​a location and the size of the land on which the building stands.

In their proposal, the Stefanovics argued that the violation of the ratio of floor space to space was due to the ‘sloping topography of the site’.

They argued that as a result their redeveloped property would have ‘no detrimental effect on neighboring properties or the town/streetscape’.

The dispute between the couple and Willoughby Council will be heard by the Land and Environment Court.

The renovation had also raised objections from the couple’s neighbours.

In a contribution to the council, neighbor Winny Lee expressed concern that the development would affect “the view” of her family’s backyard.

“It appears that the top floor of the proposed building faces our garden and living area,” she said.

She explained that she also “didn’t feel comfortable” about the privacy implications this could have.

It is clear that mediation is planned between the Stefanovics and Willoughby Council as part of the proceedings.

Further hearings on the planning dispute will take place in February.