A wealthy Sydney businesswoman has won a court battle against her neighbours after they repeatedly blocked the only access route to her home. Catherine Coneliano, whose husband Renato is managing director of chemicals giant Redox, took Emmanuel and Olivera Garcia to the NSW Land and Environment Court over a right of carriageway across the Garcias' property that provides the sole vehicle access to the Conelianos' Illawong house, as it has no direct public road frontage.

Ms Coneliano alleged the Garcias built an unauthorised retaining wall and metal fence that narrowed the access route, blocked it with parked cars and rubbish, and questioned visitors, with one incident requiring police assistance. Justice Richard Beasley ruled in her favour, finding the Garcias had ignored three warning letters and only acted after litigation began; he ordered them to remove the encroaching structures, keep the right of way clear, and pay her legal costs, which she claimed at almost $148,000.