The lavish property in the style of an Indian palace was once touted to be Australia’s grandest, most expensive mansion with an estimated worth of $70 million on completion.
Now covered in graffiti, used by drug takers and considered an eyesore by locals, the partly built home for controversial couple Radhika and Pankaj Oswal has been the subject of a legal tussle between the couple, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the shire.
It will only be spared the bulldozers if the Oswals were to apply for and be granted a building licence to complete the building.
They may appeal Tuesday night’s decision with the State Administrative Tribunal. Lawyers for the couple were approached for comment by PerthNow and provided a statement which said Mrs Oswal was “disappointed†the council had elected to speak with the media prior to any formal notification of the decision being made.
Shire chief executive officer John Merrick said last night the council had unanimously voted to serve notice on the lawyers representing the Oswals that it intends to demolish the building, and the lucrative 6582sq m parcel of land in Bayview Terrace would be auctioned.
Mr Merrick said the ATO had put a freeze on the title of the property for unpaid taxes.
“We have been working with the ATO and the Office of State Revenue which had advertised its intention in the past week to sell both a Dalkeith property and the Peppermint Grove property,†Mr Merrick said.
Records show both properties are listed under Mrs Oswal’s name.
Mr Merrick said the intention was to recoup more than $1 million in outstanding state land tax and rates.
“The building is a health risk and blight on the landscape,†Mr Merrick said. The property would be auctioned and it was likely the ATO would oversee the sale, he said.
The Oswals, who now live overseas and are said to divide their time between Dubai and New Delhi, fled WA late in 2010 leaving behind a trail of unfinished business. Mr Oswal famously made his fortune from the beleaguered Burrup Holdings Limited fertiliser venture.
This was the release issued by Rebekah Giles, partner at Kennedys lawyers in Sydney for Mrs Oswal today.
“The Oswals have been engaging with the Council regarding their Peppermint Grove property, via their lawyers, since November last year.
“In accordance with the Show Cause Notice issued by the Council on 17 December 2015, Mrs Oswal filed her submissions in response on 19 January 2015.
“We understand from correspondence received from the Council on 17 March 2015 that Mrs Oswal’s submissions were to be tabled for discussion as a confidential agenda item at the Council meeting on 24 March 2015.
“The Council has not yet formally informed Mrs Oswal, via her lawyers, of the outcome of any resolution passed at its meeting last night in relation to her property.
“Notwithstanding that the proposed demolition order or any orders concerning Mrs Oswal’s property was to be determined in camera, Mrs Oswal is disappointed that the Council has not informed her first of any resolution passed, prior to contacting the media.
“In the meantime, Mrs Oswal continues to engage contractors to deal with the health and safety concerns raised by the Council and will continue to engage with Mr Paul Rawlings, Manager, Corporate Services, Shire of Peppermint Grove, to resolve all outstanding issues.â€
