Basketball star Andrew Bogut has hit back at claims his Beaumaris mega mansion would destroy precious coastal habitat.
The ex-NBA player used Twitter to say it was “a little concerning to be feeling like a criminal” for returning to his home city and attempting to build his dream home, after his extravagant property plans came under fire from the Beaumaris Conservationist Society.
The basketballer submitted plans to Bayside Council for a three-storey mansion that includes a swimming pool, half-sized basketball court, gym, sauna, massage room, rooftop terrace and a basement with a home cinema, cellar and car stacker that fits 16 vehicles.
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Images from the planning application for 401 Beach Road, Beaumaris.
Bogut has starred for the Boomers. Picture: Tim Carrafa
The lavish $5m build, which also has a summer house with a games room, would replace a celebrated Beaumaris garden that was designed by former owner, Joan McCrae.
Beaumaris Conservation Society member Caroline Lawton told the Herald Sun that plans at 2 Point Ave and 401 Beach Road, which Bogut owns, would involve ripping out dozens of mature trees and native vegetation.
She said the “visual bulk” of the mansion and the height of its fence was inappropriate for the area.
Artist impressions of the luxurious $5m build.
The Beaumaris block where Andrew Bogut will build his mansion.
“It doesn’t sit comfortably within its environment,” she told the Herald Sun.
“The natural feel of the area, the bird life, the wildlife, the loss of vegetation, the unmade roads and the feel of this very special part of Point Avenue, Beaumaris will be lost forever.”
Bogut responded to the community concerns via Twitter on Tuesday night, claiming the trees were “considered a fire hazard” at the time he bought the property.
Construction hasn’t begun, with plans before council.
Plans submitted to council show a half-sized basketball court on the grounds.
He said his property plans were “70 per cent open space and gardens”, with more than 5500 plants and 50 canopy trees included in the landscaping.
“We are comfortable in saying that not one other property in the area would be close to that ratio,” Bogut said.
“Our architect has designed a home that specifically responds to retaining and protecting the beautiful Moreton Bay fig trees … we have a tree which we believed is older than any person currently living and we have made sure that it will be a feature of this property.”
Bogut says 70 per cent of the property will be gardens and outdoor space.
Conservationists are unhappy with Bogut’s plans.
Bogut would not budge on plans for a large fence, retweeting a photo of people standing outside his vacant block yesterday that showed he was already receiving unwanted attention from media and local residents.
“We have two young children under four and I have made a concerted effort my whole career to give them a childhood outside of the spotlight of a professional athlete,” he said.
“I will continue to try and do this moving forward.”
Bogut, who runs a basketball academy in Carrum Downs, was most recently playing with the Sydney Kings in the NBL until he left the club mid-2020.
Reporters and local residents standing outside Bogut’s Beaumaris property on Tuesday. Picture: Twitter/@JamoMck3
Bogut quit the Sydney Kings earlier this year. Picture: Brett Costello
When contacted by the Herald Sun on Monday night, Bogut initially played down the environmental concerns raised by community members.
“I am building a refuge for cats and birds to live in,” he said.
“They will enjoy the view.”
Views from the Beach Road property are impressive.
Living the dream.
But his Twitter statement acknowledged the concerns of the Beaumaris Conservation Society and confirmed he had spoken to his direct neighbour, an arborist and liaised with Bayside Council about the development.
“It is a little concerning feeling like a criminal for returning to my home city and attempting to build a home I didn’t think would ever be possible,” Bogut said.
“I don’t want sympathy, or anything like that, I only hope this matter is treated fairly by all involved and we can move on civilly.”
A Bayside Council spokeswoman told the Herald Sun the full proposal for the development could be inspected on the council website.
It was too early to say when the application would be considered by the council, she said.
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