Antony Catalano cleared for $67 million Byron Bay expansion amid assault court case

Antony Catalano, a wealthy businessman, received conditional planning permission to build a third home on his Byron Bay compound, bringing the estate’s projected value to over $67 million and adding a $4.1 million three-level residence with underground parking and a pool. The approval follows an 18-month dispute with Byron Shire Council and a successful appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court. At the same time, Catalano must return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to answer eight criminal charges arising from a March incident at his St Kilda penthouse, where police allege he threatened to kill, assaulted, and injured his wife Stefanie, who suffered a fractured tailbone.

Stefanie has submitted two statements of no complaint and lodged an ethical standards complaint about police conduct, though she could still be subpoenaed. The disputed penthouse is presently leased to Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx at a nightly rate of about $9,000. Since March, Catalano has been on bail and has stepped aside from his role as executive chair of Australian Community Media, with his sons Jordan and Luca now directing the family’s business interests.