Millionaire couple lose bitter court fight with neighbours over Sydney Harbour view

Published: 04:52, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 04:52, 17 July 2026 Sydney millionaire stockbroker Paul Fiani has lost a legal fight with his Bellevue Hill neighbour over three hedges he claimed were blocking the harbour views from his multimillion-dollar home. The founder of Integrity Investment Management and his wife, Lisa, took neighbour Penelope Kontopos to court over the hedges growing on her property. The couple live on Victoria Road, one of Sydney's most prestigious residential streets. The dispute centred on three hedges on Kontopos' property: a Lilly Pilly, a Waterhousia and a Leyland Cypress. Relying on the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006, the Fianis argued the hedges had a 'severe' impact on their harbour views, particularly from the upstairs living area, verandah and bathroom. The Fianis sought court orders requiring two of the hedges to be pruned and the Leyland Cypress to be removed altogether, arguing they blocked their views and reduced sunlight to their property. However, NSW Land and Environment Court Acting Commissioner Tim Entwistle dismissed the application after inspecting the hedges in person. 'The hearing took place onsite, allowing me to observe the hedges and their impacts on both properties,' he said in the judgment. 'The applicants argued that the two hedges had previously been allowed to reach a height where they cause severe impact on their views, and that this level of impact is likely to reoccur. 'I would assess the loss at most to be minor or moderate, rather than severe or devastating.' Stockbroker Paul Fiani, who claimed neighbouring hedges were having a 'severe' impact on he and his wife's harbour views The properties at the centre of the dispute Kontopos had committed to pruning the hedges at least twice a year, with quarterly inspections by a gardening contractor, an undertaking she reaffirmed during the court hearing. 'I note too that the respondent’s commitment in writing and verbally at the hearing to prune the hedges to their current height at least two times a year, with quarterly inspections by their gardening contractor. 'This, in my view, would be sufficient to not only avoid the impact on the views of concern becoming serious, but to keep any impacts to at worst to a minor or moderate level for a period of a few months.' Entwistle added that if the commitment to maintain the hedges was not honoured, 'the applicants could reapply to the Court for orders to manage that eventuality.' Both parties have been contacted for comment. The Belhaven property, home of Penelope Kontops and site of the offending hedges Views from the Belhaven property Kontopos bought the mansion for $55.2 million in 2022 from former ASX chief Dominic Stevens.  Built in 1919, the three-level residence underwent a heritage renovation by architect Howard Tanner and features a tennis court, gatehouse and wine cellar. The home neighbours Le Manoir, the Sydney estate of News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch and his wife, Sarah.