A ‘passive aggressive’ mowing war between a former Bachelor star and his neighbours has taken a bizarre turn after he declared a patch of long grass “neutral territory”.
Jimmy Nicholson, who appeared on season nine of the reality franchise, sparked a heated online debate after claiming his neighbours committed the “most un-Australian act of 2026”.
In a video that has amassed 1.1 million views, Nicholson pointed out how neighbours on both sides of his driveway had freshly trimmed the nature strip but stopped exactly at his property line in Sydney’s northern beaches.
The pilot and self-described “lawn enthusiast” showed his followers how neighbours on both sides had mowed their grass perfectly, but left his tiny section of the Avalon Beach property untouched.
“That is passive aggressive mowing at its finest,” he said in the clip.
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Jimmy Nicholson called out a “passive aggressive” act by his neighbours that he claims is the most “unAustralian” move of 2026. Picture: Instagram/Jimmy Nicholson
Nicholson appeared on season nine of the reality franchise. Picture: Channel 10
Nicholson took to Instagram to expose a “petty” snub on his nature strip. Picture: Instagram/Jimmy Nicholson
The father-of-one released a follow-up video on Easter Monday after the initial footage divided his followers.
The update showed Nicholson pushing his own mower to the front of his home to tackle the overgrown patch, but he refused to finish the job.
Instead, he left a single patch of grass about 30cm wide and a metre long. He then cordoned off the area with rope and a handwritten cardboard sign reading: ‘Neutral territory’.
While The Block judge Darren Palmer reacted with laugh-crying emojis, the broader public was less impressed.
Nicholson was quickly branded “childish,” “entitled,” and “petty” by many of the 870 people who commented on the update.
“Why are you being so petty? Just mow your lawn and don’t be that neighbour,” read one reply, which received over 660 likes.
“You are the problem, not them. Mow your own lawn,” another added.
The father-of-one released a follow-up video on Easter Monday after the initial footage divided his followers. Picture: Instagram/Jimmy Nicholson
The former reality star then cordoned off the area with rope and a handwritten cardboard sign reading: ‘Neutral territory’. Picture: Instagram
One critic suggested that in the time it took to film the “attention-seeking” video, Nicholson could have finished the nature strip.
Even his wife, Holly Kingston, weighed in on the suburban spat.
“I mean I could’ve come up with other solutions for you,” she replied to the video.
Nicholson bantered back that he looked forward to having a beer with the neighbour to discuss the “neutral territory”, but Ms Kingston told him not to hold his breath.
“I think we’ll be waiting a while,” she said.
Some followers defended the pilot, arguing that Australians have lost their sense of humour.
“This is just holding a mirror up to the neighbour’s pettiness in such a funny way,” one supporter wrote.
Nicholson was quickly branded “childish,” “entitled,” and “petty” by many of the 870 people who commented on the update. Picture: Instagram/Jimmy Nicholson
One critic suggested that in the time it took to film the “attention-seeking” video, Nicholson could have finished the nature strip. Picture: Instagram/Jimmy Nicholson
However, many residents argued the “unspoken Aussie law” of mowing was actually on the neighbours’ side.
“If both neighbours are doing it, kinda looks like you’re the problem, champ,” one person cautioned.
Others suggested that the state of Nicholson’s landscaping may have been the reason the neighbours stopped short.
“Read the room, mate. Both neighbours tell you something,” another viewer said.
The debate has since spiralled into a wider discussion on nature strip etiquette, with some homeowners refusing to “return the favour” if neighbours do not help out.
“I’m not here to look after my neighbours who don’t look after me,” one person said.
In contrast, other homeowners shared stories of “unspoken agreements” where the first person to grab the mower does the entire block.
“Buy them a carton of beer if they do more than you,” was the final piece of advice for the reality TV star.
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