Chris Hemsworth’s $4.4m plans for new home near Broken Head eco-retreat

A Hollywood star publicly opposed plans for a tourism development three months ago; now with the support of locals he wants to build a home next door.

Actor Chris Hemsworth is planning to build two more homes near Byron Bay. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)

Chris Hemsworth has big plans for another property near Byron Bay.

Three months after he publicly criticised plans for a large “eco tourist development” in Broken Head the Hollywood star’s company, CHLH Management Pty Ltd, has lodged a development application proposing $4.4 million worth of works at a property next door.

The application, currently on public exhibition with Byron Shire Council, was lodged on behalf of Hemsworth’s company by a Brunswick Heads-based town planner August.

If approved, two new separate homes would be built on the 35.5ha Broken Head Road property.

The main home would have five bedrooms and five bathrooms along with a basement gym.

The second home would have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The proposed buildings have been designed by award-winning Byron Bay based firm Harley Graham Architects.

According to documents lodged with the council, an existing road on the property was constructed in 1998 in line with a previously approved application for a home which was never built.

Hemsworth’s proposed homes would be built in the same area to which the earlier approval related, in the northeastern corner of the property, which is a stone’s throw from his existing mega-mansion.

The view from the property.

There will be a planning hurdle for the larger of the two buildings.

Due to zoning boundaries, two different Local Environmental Plans apply to different parts of the home.

This means a small portion of the upper-level deck would breach floor-level height limits by 900cm.

But planners working for Mr Hemsworth have suggested in the application the new design would “provide an improved environmental planning outcome for the site” compared to the one that was approved decades ago.

Mr Hemsworth took to Instagram in May to oppose a development application on neighbouring property, Linnaeus Estate, in May.

A small part of the upper floor would breach height restrictions.

“I stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with Aunty Lois Cook in opposition to the tourist development at Seven Mile Beach,” he said in a video.

“I fully support traditional custodians to be able to comfortably tell their peoples’ stories to preserve and protect their homelands.

“This proposed development would have a direct impact on these sacred and significant Indigenous sites.”

Aunty Lois also appeared in Hemsworth’s post.

“As senior elder and law woman who holds authority on our cultural lands I do not endorse the development of this site,” she said.

Chris Hemsworth's proposed new home (right) compared with the house which was approved in 1997 but never built (left).

The Linnaeus proposal for a $9 million “eco tourism” development including 27 cabins and a “wellness facility” remains before the council for consideration.

Hemsworth and his agency, Morrisey Management, were approached for comment regarding whether the star’s private residential DA had in any way influenced his opposition of the Linnaeus development; Morrisey Management declined to comment.

It appears Hemsworth’s contractors have given consideration to Indigenous heritage impacts on the site; a report included in the application said there were “no Aboriginal sites or places declared in the location”.

Historically, the property was used as a banana plantation before 1952 and was then used for cattle grazing for some time.

Zara Noruzi, a member of the Friends of Seven Mile group – whose opposition of Linnaeus was backed by Hemsworth – said his proposal was vastly different to the one next door.

“We are all aware of Chris’s DA but Chris’s proposal is of a residential nature comprising a principal dwelling which is very different to the 27 new accommodation buildings proposed at Linnaeus,” she said.

“His property has a dwelling entitlement and previously contained a dwelling.

“It also has a valid (historical) development consent for a new home in the northeast corner of the allotment.”

She said the new primary home proposed would go where the previously approved home would have stood.

“The secondary dwelling is permitted with consent in the zone, as is the principal dwelling,” Ms Noruzi said.

“His development footprint is very different to the Linnaeus development.”

She said the movement of people that would take place at the proposed Hemsworth home was “not even comparable” to that of a tourist development.

The Linnaeus proponents declined to comment.