Jutland Parade lot owner sues Nedlands councillor

One of the owners of a Jutland Parade lot, who was entangled in a dispute over an unlevelled verge, is suing a City of Nedlands councillor for defamation.

Paul McGarry, who owns 52 Jutland Parade with his wife Meredith, has lodged a writ in the Supreme Court of Western Australia naming Nedlands councillor Andrew Mangano as the defendant.

In the writ, Mr McGarry claimed Mr Mangano made statements that were defamatory of him at council meetings in May and September, which had been republished in local newspapers.

Mr McGarry claimed Mr Mangano made the defamatory statements at the meetings, which was livestreamed to the public, and in his written notice of motion to council.

According to the writ, Mr McGarry claimed there was damage to his reputation and sought an injuction to stop the alleged defamatory matter being published further, and halt further endorsements or support of any third party in publishing the matter.

It is not yet known what was alleged to be defamatory.

Works on 52 Jutland Parade in Dalkeith had been the topic of discussion for the city last year because of complaints over the soil on the verge being higher than the neighbouring properties.

It has been reported that Meredith McGarry, who spearheads property development company Yuki Yama, settled on the Jutland Parade lot for $12.4 million in 2021.

Mr Mangano raised a motion to level the verge back to where it was in 2018, to be in line with adjoining properties, at a council meeting in May.

The motion was deferred until September but failed to garner support from majority of the councillors at the meeting.

Damages, aggravated damages, interest and costs were among other claims in the writ.

It is understood the McGarrys live overseas, with Mr McGarry's primary residence listed in the writ as Hong Kong.

The McGarrys’ 1,969 square metre Dalkeith lot is sandwiched between properties belonging to Singaporean businessman Abdul Valibhoy, and former Western Australian governor Malcolm McCusker and his wife.

The site was understood to have been purchased from JJ Leach Group founder Jeff Leach.

Business News has contacted Mr Mangano, who declined to comment.