Son of Australia's first billionaire Paul Holmes a Court locked in local council battle over dream home that's so bizarre even the state planning minister is weighing in

The son of Australia's first billionaire is at loggerheads with his local council over his pleas to remove a peppermint tree growing right in the middle of his mansion's driveway.

In a bizarre move that simply has to be seen to be believed, the previous owners of the palatial spread split the home's drive around the growing verge tree.

Now, Paul Holmes a Court - son of legendary tycoon Robert Holmes a Court - is begging his local council in one of the most exclusive enclaves in Perth to let him dig it up.

Mr Holmes a Court and wife Zara bought their new mansion in the affluent, tree-line suburb of Peppermint Grove overlooking Fresh Water Bay for $20.1million in August and have wasted no time in addressing the odd growth.

According to Post Newspapers, Ms Holmes a Court attended the Shire of Peppermint Grove's council meeting on Tuesday to seek permission to remove the tree from outside the Kiernan St pile.

'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that the tree placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes a Court told the meeting.

'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, but a tree in the middle of the driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.'

She told the meeting the tree's odd placement also made it difficult to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace.

The couple's push to tear down the offending tree comes as councils across the swan city are introducing strict, new measures to safeguard their leafy streets.

Peppermint Grove is currently hoping to implement a policy that would even make it an offence to damage or remove any mature trees on private property without council approval.

According to the online listing for their new four-bedroom mansion, which is built on a corner block along the banks of the Swan River, the sprawling Federation-style manor was built in the around 1904.

'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style, the home has retained all its elegance and splendour via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches, casement-style sash windows, and walls of French doors that bathe the home in light, reflecting river views beyond,' the listing said.

'Located at the heart of the private school network and opposite the esteemed Royal Fresh Water Bay Yacht Club and Peppermint Grove Tennis Club, this coveted address affords some of the most unique unobstructed riverfront views in Perth, along with...South Cottesloe Beach just a 5-minute drive away.'

When the home was recently renovated, the driveway had to be split around either side of the peppermint tree as part of the development approval.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Holmes a Court said the couple would happily cover the costs of planting more trees on the verge in exchange for permission to remove the current one.

Shire officers have recommended the council reject the Holmes a Courts' application and insist the tree remain firmly rooted where it is.

However, WA Planning Minister John Carey told the West Australian that he hoped the Shire of Peppermint Grove would 'take a common sense approach' to the issue.

'This is part of the challenge that we do have with local government. I've always been on the record that we need local governments to take a common sense approach to issues,' Mr Carey he told the West Australian.

'And I understand people are passionate about trees. But ultimately, we do need local governments to assess the situation and find pragmatic outcomes.

'We're trying to do everything we can to boost tree canopy in Perth. As a State we're currently developing an urban tree canopy, but in this case, I would urge the local government to consider trying to resolve this issue with the property owner.'

Mr Holmes a Court is the chief executive of prize-winning wine label and the brother of Peter Holmes a Court, who once jointly owned of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes a Court.

The council will announce its decision on November 26.