Kidman and Keith Urban are creating a luxurious five-star fortress at their Southern Highlands property Bunya Hill.The celebrity couple have had multimillion-dollar work approved for the 45ha Sutton Forest property, which they bought for about $6.5 million last year.
The work includes measures to ensure most of the property cannot be seen by neighbours or passers-by and other opulent additions.Daughter Sunday Rose is sure to make use of the 18m swimming pool planned for the backyard.Conveniently, Kidman and Urban will be able to work out in the new gymnasium, with a rubber floor, while watching their daughter paddle in the pool.
Wingecarribee Shire Council documents obtained by the Mercury also reveal the couple will build an impressive entertainment area, perhaps to be used when Russell Crowe pops over for a barbecue.It will include a full-size tennis court and a 32sqm hardwood pergola with canvas shade cloth, gravel floor and antique iron posts, which will sit on stone plinths.
The couple plan to demolish the present garage and replace it with a triple garage made of antique sandstock, big enough to fit Urban's motorbikes and the family car.A 3m jetty will be also be built on the property's dam.
But in a pleasing indication of the couple's commitment to the environment, they will also have rainwater tanks installed for their private use.Prying eyes and the media have already been blocked from catching a glimpse of the family, with grassy mounds springing up around the boundaries. Although dirt at the moment, the mounds appear to be taller than the approved 2m.
In between the mounds and barbed-wire fence perimeter, Kidman and Urban have planted cherry laurels, a shrub that grows to 6m and contains the potentially poisonous hydrogen cyanide.Despite the extravagant plans, Sutton Forest locals aren't too concerned by the plans for Bunya Hill.
In fact, it is an application for a 100-room motel and conference centre planned for next door - which was submitted before the celebrity couple moved in - that has their attention."This area just doesn't have the population for it," said Greg Barnsley, owner of The Everything Store down the road. "It may be useful that the neighbours it's going to affect are worth a hundred million.
"I don't mind the new neighbours, but I'm not sure about the dirt hills around the edges which look like a rampart."That's not the sort of thing you do. If everyone here did it we'd be driving around in tunnels."Mr Barnsley, like other Sutton Forest locals the Mercury spoke to, said he had not seen Kidman and Urban around.
It's believed they spent Christmas in the United States.However, a heavily pregnant Kidman did speak to local builders when the couple was accepting tenders for the development work last year.Store owners in the small town are occasionally asked by tourists to point out the couple's property.
"I hope they do come down to the shop to visit. They'd be very welcome," Mr Barnsley said.Patrons at Sutton Forest Inn, which backs on to Bunya Hill, can't wait for the day Kidman and Urban pop in.Manager Kirsty Nielsen reckons Open Mike Sunday could be the perfect icebreaker - Urban could bring his guitar and bang out a tune like everyone else.
"It's a bit of a shame that they can't be a normal couple and just come down," she said.Shannon Day, of Moss Vale, said Friday night was also a good night. Live bands perform and "the place goes off", he said. This area just doesn't have the population for it," said Greg Barnsley, owner of The Everything Store down the road. "It may be useful that the neighbours it's going to affect are worth a hundred million.
"I don't mind the new neighbours, but I'm not sure about the dirt hills around the edges which look like a rampart."That's not the sort of thing you do. If everyone here did it we'd be driving around in tunnels."Mr Barnsley, like other Sutton Forest locals the Mercury spoke to, said he had not seen Kidman and Urban around.
It's believed they spent Christmas in the United States.However, a heavily pregnant Kidman did speak to local builders when the couple was accepting tenders for the development work last year.Store owners in the small town are occasionally asked by tourists to point out the couple's property"I hope they do come down to the shop to visit. They'd be very welcome," Mr Barnsley said.Patrons at Sutton Forest Inn, which backs on to Bunya Hill, can't wait for the day Kidman and Urban pop in.
Manager Kirsty Nielsen reckons Open Mike Sunday could be the perfect icebreaker - Urban could bring his guitar and bang out a tune like everyone else.It's a bit of a shame that they can't be a normal couple and just come down," she said.Shannon Day, of Moss Vale, said Friday night was also a good night. Live bands perform and "the place goes off", he said.