MIND THE GAP
WEALTHY NEIGHBOURS IN PLANNING FEUD
TWENTY centimetres is all that separates the well-to-do neighbours in a glitzy Gold Coast suburb. But they are miles apart when it comes to agreeing on planning matters, with a bitter row between the households headed for the Planning and Environment Court.
A NEIGHBOURHOOD feud between multimillion-dollar property owners in a ritzy Gold Coast suburb has reached the Southport Planning and Environment Court.
Paradise Waters residents Alexander and Wendy Baruksopulo have taken their businessman neighbour Michael Green to court claiming he “fraudulently” built additions onto his Midshipman Ct house.
Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo have also taken the Gold Coast City Council to court claiming they failed to act fairly by granting 18 building relaxations to plans for Mr Green’s property.
The pair lodged court documents last month requesting a judge visit the property to assess their claim that 70 per cent of their side boundary is taken up with Mr Green’s “illegal” extensions.
Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo want the extensions to be built to height and set back requirements enforced by council.
They claim Mr Green, from Main Beach, had a “complete disregard” for space between homes in low density residential areas.
During a visit to the street the Gold Coast Bulletin captured images of how close the homes were built to boundaries.
A “storage area” added to Mr Green’s Midshipman Ct house comes within centimetres of Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo’s property.
Court documents claim Mr Green submitted his original plans for the building in November 2015 to build right up to the boundaries of the block, which Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo said was a breach of planning rules.
Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo said they objected to council and the plans were amended and approved by city building surveyor Patrick Giess.
But they claim Mr Green ignored this and built what they described as “an extended balcony over a canal, a solid wall patio, balcony and extensions of third storey area”.
In relation to the patio they said council allowed Mr Green to apply for a relaxation, which was granted following a minor colour change.
They believe the wall is still illegal and council have not acted on any complaints.
Property searches reveal Mr Green made a $2.23 million profit after selling another neighbouring property he owned in 2015.
Mr Green bought the lot for $820,000 in 2002 before selling it for $3.05 million.
Searches also revealed Mr Green bought the property involved in the dispute for $1.3 million in 2004.
Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo bought their property for $2 million in 2013.
As the matter is still before the courts Mr and Mrs Baruksopulo and Gold Coast City Council declined to comment.
Efforts were made to contact Mr Green through his businesses but he did not return calls asking for comment.