‘Very confused’: Mansions built 40cm apart | WATCH - Property News AU/NZ | propertynoise.co.nz & propertynoise.com.au

PHOTO: Kathy Morin and Devon Matsalla described the situation as “heartbreaking”. Picture: Channel 9/A Current Affair

A couple’s plans for their dream home has turned into a nightmare after their neighbour was allowed by council to build shockingly close to their property.

Kathy Morin and Devon Matsalla are in the process of constructing their home on the Gold Coast’s Coomera Waters – however, the project has ground to a halt after the neighbouring property was built just 40cm away, A Current Affair reports.

The gap between the two properties is now so tiny that builders have been unable to construct scaffolding between the two.

The couple have since filed a complaint with Gold Coast City Council, with Mr Matsalla saying he was “shocked and very confused” by the situation.

“Somehow it got approved through the chain, I don’t know how it got approved, our builder has no idea, how it got approved,” Ms Morin told A Current Affair.

The other legally-built property, which is owned by Dreamworld CEO Greg Yong, is now within touching distance of his neighbours.

Mr Yong told the program his house had been certified.

“We wouldn’t have been able to build it if it wasn’t certified,” Mr Yong said.

Ms Morin and Mr Matsalla said they held a meeting with Mr Yong to raise their concerns about the properties’ proximity.

The following day they say Mr Yong’s planning company submitted a subsequent document claiming the extension “will not undermine the amenity of the adjoining property”.

These Gold Coast homes were built just 40 centimetres apart. Picture: Channel 9/A Current Affair

“If it was a couple of centimetres we wouldn’t be having this conversation but it’s preventing us from building our house, like that’s big, it’s not aesthetics,” Ms Morin said.

“If they maybe wanted a bigger home then they need a bigger lot,” Mr Matsalla added.

The pair described the situation as “heartbreaking” after the issue caused the build to be halted for weeks on end.

“We’ve put in all our money we’ve put in all the time, we’ve been waiting a long time,” Ms Morin said.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman confirmed to news.com.au that “the City is investigating this complaint”, but declined to comment further.

This viral 2019 photo of two Queensland “McMansions” so huge their gutters overlap sparked outrage. Picture: Facebook

However, it’s not the first time Australia’s planning rules have come under fire, with a viral 2019 photo of two so-called “McMansions” so huge their gutters overlap sparking outrage.

The photo, taken by Queensland woman Karen Evans, was captured during a visit a newly-established Stockland estate and was later shared it to The Redcliffe Peninsula Facebook group, where it attracted hundreds of likes, shares and comments.