‘Monstrous’ Lithgow house with illuminated crucifix angers locals

It stands at 19.6m tall, has five storeys and at least five large crucifixes including one that is illuminated at night. It also has neighbours seething with anger after the “monstrosity” was approved by their local council.

A compound-style home emblazoned with a 3m illuminated crucifix and surrounded by heavy security has a rural community praying for a demolition order.

But despite Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson saying he was “dumbfounded” by the five storey Kanimbla Valley building, the owner said it’s here to stay.

Residents are still shocked by Lithgow City Council’s decision to ignore their objections and approve the 19.6m tall home in Ganbenang, west of the Blue Mountains suburb of Blackheath.

The building has a hilltop footprint of 497 sqm and is surrounded by high fences, guard dogs and CCTV cameras.

The five-storey “house” under construction on Table Rock Rd, Ganbenang, west of the Blue Mountains.

The home is still under construction despite being approved by Lithgow Council in 2015.

Still under construction, despite being approved in 2015, it has become an object of fascination, and loathing.

There are at least four large crucifixes on the building and two on the front gates.

Ganbenang resident Kaylene Brooks said the Table Rock Rd home is a “monstrosity”.

“Residents have to jump through hoops to show cause to build garages and sheds, then this crops up. Everyone is worried and we do not know who these people are,” she said.

The family home is being built by Joe Abousleiman, who is a director at Bless Us Lord Enterprises. Picture: Facebook

Mr Thompson said: “It looks like some sort of … building … from Scientology. I am dumbfounded”.

The owners are the Abousleiman family and Serena Corp Pty Ltd, led by builder Assaad Abousleiman.

Mr Abousleiman, as the former head of Ultra Construction Pty Ltd, was found guilty in 2014 of poor workmanship and improper conduct and fined $3500.

His son Joe Abousleiman is the building director at BUL (Bless Us Lord Enterprises), the company building the Ganbenang home.

His Facebook profile shows numerous pictures of him with long arm firearms and a link to his other business, Formidable K9, which sells “attack trained” dogs.

He failed to respond to requests for comment.

Asked about community objections to the size and design of his property, Assaad Abousleiman said “whatever they think is up to them”.

“So they want to get malicious now,” the 51-year-old said.

“Do not worry about. It is all approved.”

Neighbours are angry at the amount of light projected at night once the house’s 3m crucifix is illuminated at night.

Part of the development application submitted to council.

Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson and former mayor Maree Statham both claim they knew nothing of the development when it was approved by council staff.

Lithgow Council economic development director Andrew Muir said unless a councillor raises an issue about a complying development application, it gets approved.

This is despite the council receiving numerous objections about the home.

The crucifixes are not mentioned in the original development application approved by council.

“Some people might think, for example, that Chris Hemsworth’s home in Byron Bay is not in good taste,” he said of the Australia actor’s $9 million eight bedroom home.

“There are different views in terms of architectural aesthetics. The dwelling is permissible in the zone and the merit issues were carefully assessed.”

Lithgow Council has no height restrictions for buildings.

NSW Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock failed to respond to requests for comment.