St Johns church, Sorrento, takes on billionaire Max Beck in nature strip stoush

Rich-lister Max Beck is making it difficult for one Mornington Peninsula church to “love thy neighbour”.

Max Beck has taken on his neighbours at the church in a battle over a nature strip.

Loving thy neighbour is proving a challenge for worshippers at a historic Mornington Peninsula church.

About three weeks ago Max Beck, the billionaire next door to St Johns Anglican Church in Sorrento, decided to landscape the nature strip outside his clifftop mansion.

But the move, which included roping off land, left parishioners with nowhere to park.

Church treasurer, organist and choir master Ken Barelli said most of the 20 hardy souls braving the winter chill to attend the Sunday morning service were in their 80s and 90s.

“They are now having to find a spot on the other side of Point Nepean Rd and navigate their way across,” he said.

Parishioners can no longer park on the nature strip alongside the 150-year-old church because a neighbour landscaped and roped off the area. Picture: Lucy Callander

“It’s a bit rich when you consider churchgoers have been parking on that nature strip alongside the church for at least 70 years.”

The Herald Sun has been told Mr Beck got a permit from the local council for the landscaping, but Mr Barelli claims the works went beyond what he had approval for.

Mr Barelli was disappointed neither the property baron nor the council had spoken to the church about the works.

“I asked why we weren’t told and the council said it wasn’t ‘legally required’ to notify us,” he said.

“I guess moral obligations don’t come into it.”

Property mogul Max Beck is at the centre of the drama. Picture: Josh Robenstone

Mr Barelli said Mr Beck had since agreed to move the portion of the garden back from the road, allowing for parallel parking for up to seven cars.

But the Herald Sun has been told he won’t do the work until the church removes the low hedge at the front of its property.

The church planted a lawn and hedge border on its nature strip about 10 years ago after a request from the council’s heritage officer.

“The heritage officer wanted the church, which is recognised by the National Trust, to be clearly visible from the street with a statement frontage,” Mr Barelli said.

The church did not obtain a permit for the work.

The church may have to remove its lawn, hedges and bench to make room for parishioners to park after the next door neighbour landscaped the nature strip in front of his property, where worshippers used to park. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mr Barelli said the church would remove the hedge to allow parishioners to parallel park at the front of the property.

“We’ve been told the ‘no standing’ signs on that side of Point Nepean Rd would be modified to allow for that,” Mr Barelli said.

“It’s disappointing. But the priority has to be people being able to get to church safely.”

Get all the latest news, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our newsletters now.

Mr Beck has previously supported the church through a donation to support the creation of a memorial garden.

“He has been a friend of the church in the past,” Mr Barelli said.

Mr Beck is overseas but has been contacted for comment.

Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh said parallel parking previously allowed between the marked signs on the road reserve was being impacted by the landscaping.

“Council officers are working with both St Johns Church and the landowner of the neighbouring property to reinstate parallel parking at the site,” Mr Marsh said.