Developer Faces Backlash for Mega-Mansion, Tree-Cutting

0:00A developer in Sydney's South, Amir Abu Abara, got slapped with a $70,000 fine after illegally chopping down hundreds of native trees, on his 7.4 hectare Riverside block in Barton Ridge. That was back in July when the local council dropped a long court fight in exchange for him fixing the damage by replanting tens of thousands of, plants, including 600 trees. Now he's back at it, lodging a fresh development application in March for a nearly $10 million mega mansion packed with luxuries like a bowling, alley, indoor basketball court, infinity pool, gym, movie theater and underground parking. It's basically the same rejected design from last year, but this time he wants to clear 23 more trees for a long driveway. Locals are furious, especially since the site's a hotspot for threatened species by koalas and powerful owls along the sensitive war nor river. Many leaders call it a total disregard for the environment, and worry it will encourage others to break rules and build anyway.

1:02The council's holding firm, saying they can't block new applications, but any approval hinges on him, completing the massive replanting first. They've already hit him with another 75,000 in fines this year for skimping on erosion controls and river protection work. Remediations do in about a year and a half, but with his track record of delays and these bold new moves, folks are watching close to see if the law. Finally reigns in these mansion dreams or lets them roll on. That rap Sydney news today brought to you with AI, I'm Corey with the story.