Amir Abu Abara had a permit to fell 5 trees. Just five.
On his property of more than seven hectares south of Sydney, next to Heathcote National Park, home to koalas and powerful owls, he ended up clearing around 600 native trees and removing 6,000 cubic meters of soil. All to build a luxury mansion valued at more than 3 million Australian dollars, with its own cinema and infinity pool.
The local authorities did not let it go: they fined him 70,000 Australian dollars and ordered him to plant 38.700 specimens of native species, including at least 600 trees—the same number he destroyed. His company was made responsible for the reforestation even if the property changes hands, and the municipality will oversee compliance.
In 2026, Abu Abara tried for more: he submitted a new project for a 10 million Australian dollar mansion on the same property. It was rejected in June, and the land was eventually sold.
