A couple's attempt to turn a single house into three new multi-bedroom homes was blocked due to a single tree on the council nature strip.
Courtney Grose and her husband Daniel Smith bought a home on the corner of Lockerly St and Longleat Rd in Elizabeth Vale, north Adelaide, with the goal of rebuilding 10 years ago.
The couple spent a decade planning and saving for the demolition of the home to create three new three-bedroom dwellings but last year faced a roadblock.
After finally saving the funds for the investment, the pair found out recent changes to South Australian planning laws required the red flowering gum in front of the old home required a 6.46m protection zone.
An arborist report determined the tree is not indigenous to SA, is not an important habitat for native fauna and is only in fair health, Realestate.com.au reported.
'I know a lot of people don't want to get rid of trees and I know we have to consider the shade it provides but I am surprised in an age where we are desperate for homes, that this is so difficult,' Ms Grose said.
'We are putting up some pretty nice houses. They're going to be three-bedroom, two-bathroom and two living areas – they're quite nice homes so I'm surprised this is the reaction.'
The tree, while not on their property, would block driveway access for one of the homes making the redevelopment unworkable.
Courtney Grose and her husband Daniel Smith (above) bought a home in north Adelaide with plans to demolish it and building three new homes
The offending tree on the council nature strip
Their decade of planning was almost destroyed due to a tree (above) outside their front yard
The couple spent $5,000 on arborists and surveyors to submit development applications to Playford Council and offered other solutions, like replacing the exisiting tree with two indigenous trees.
However, the council remained firm on the protection zone.
The project was initially expected to cost $1.2million, including the purchase of the property, but the approvals threatened to see that budget inflated.
Fortunately, they were able to save on some costs as Ms Grose studied interior architecture and was able to create concept plans herself.
In order to prevent any more of their budget being lost to bureaucracy, the couple amended their redevelopment plans to face the less desirable Longleat Rd.
Playford Council approved the amended proposal but has required further redesigns to one of the homes.
Its mayor, Glenn Docherty, said the council is required to abide by state government tree protection laws.