Decision made on Bogut’s mansion plans

Bayside Council has spent $150,000 fighting the basketball star’s plans to build a lavish Beaumaris mansion. Now the state’s planning tribunal has handed down its decision.

Andrew Bogut’s plans to build a lavish mansion in Beaumaris have been given the green light. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Basketball great Andrew Bogut has won a fight to build his dream beachside mansion in Melbourne.

The former NBA and Aussie Boomers star slam dunked an appeal by Bayside Council against the luxury Beaumaris home on two beachside blocks, with VCAT setting aside the council’s foul call.

The move paves the way for Bogut to build a sprawling $6.4m Beach Rd property with a rooftop terrace, half size basketball court, basement garage for his collection of muscle cars and summer house.

Bogut told the Saturday Herald Sun he was thrilled “to see common sense prevail” and be granted a planning permit after the council and Beaumaris Conservation Society objected his plans.

“It is in my opinion the best site in Melbourne for water views and proximity to the city so we’re excited to make it something that it should be,’’ he said.

An artists’ impression of Andrew Bogut's Beaumaris mansion. Picture: Supplied

But he lashed the council for “wasting $150,000 of ratepayer money’’ and turning his planning application into “a political issue’’.

“It doesn’t feel great to cost ratepayers in the area $150,000 in lawyers fees, which is a bit ridiculous in itself,’’ he said.

“It was a pointless fight by council and the conservation group from the start so it’s good to see VCAT saw that there were no real issues.’’

The council, whose town planners advised approving the plans before councillors intervened, defended the VCAT action but said the appeal cost $84,000, not $150,000 as Bogut claimed.

Bayside Mayor Laurence Evans said the council made a unanimous decision against the planning application based on community concerns including the build’s “sizeable footprint”, removal of vegetation, building height and design.

“While disappointed, the council is pleased to see that VCAT stipulated conditions that better integrate the property with its treasured surroundings,” he said.

Bogut’s two storey mansion will be built on a prime site of more than 2370sq m, with an in-ground pool, ground floor space of 275sq m in the main house and a perimeter fence higher than 1.2m.

Andrew Bogut goes for a basket during Game 3 of the NBL Finals match between Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats last year. Picture: Mick Tsikas

The underground basement level includes 214sq m of recreation space under the house, eight car spaces and a workshop under the basketball court.

Significant trees will be removed from the site, previously two separate properties, but extensive native vegetation will also be planted.

Delivering its ruling after a four day hearing, VCAT rejected claims by the council that the mansion “will not respect the special character of this part of Beaumaris’’.

“We have found that the proposal, subject to some changes included in the permit conditions is an acceptable response to the context of this small precinct,’’ it said.

The tribunal ordered a reduction in height of fencing and additional landscaping.

Bogut expected construction to commence next year and had a message for his new neighbours.

“Hopefully the Bayside ratepayers know that $150,000 went towards fighting someone who was building a house that was in complete building code,’’ he said.

“It’s just good to get the win against council, albeit a costly one for myself as well.’’