A prominent ABC star has found herself at the centre of an escalating neighbourhood dispute after a disagreement over a fence spiralled into an “assault” – and ended up in court.

ABC presenter Myf Warhurst has become embroiled in a long-running legal dispute with her neighbour, following a fiery clash over a boundary fence that has triggered police involvement, court proceedings and defamation claims.

The dispute, which erupted in late December 2022, took place outside Warhurst’s home in North Warrandyte, a semi-rural suburb northeast of Melbourne.

It began when the popular Spicks and Specks presenter and her then-partner, architect Brian Steendyk, raised concerns about a concrete wall being built along their shared boundary with neighbour Karla Martinez.

ABC presenter Myf Warhurst poses for a photo on the red carpet at the TV Week Logie Awards on August 18, 2024. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
The couple claimed part of the structure crossed into their property.

Tensions boiled over on December 28, when Mr Steendyk used “a chainsaw and grinder” to cut through approximately 26 metres of the newly constructed fence, according to The Australian.

Ms Martinez alleged the incident quickly descended into chaos.

Stills from Police Body-Cam vision show Cesar Funez (left) and Karla Martinez (right) being interviewed following the altercation. Picture: The Australian
“Everything started out friendly enough and I even went over and brought her a bottle of wine to welcome her to the neighbourhood,” the mother-of-three told The Australian.

“But all hell broke loose as soon as they found out we were going to start constructing a concrete wall along the property line.”

According to Ms Martinez, who is also an architect, Warhurst and Mr Steendyk began dismantling the fence without her consent, prompting a heated altercation and urgent calls to police.

ABC personality Myf Warhurst talks on the phone as Police arrive. Picture: The Australian
“Brian grabbed a chainsaw and a grinder and started demolishing the fence because he claimed it was on his property,” she said.

“So I go out and started screaming and it all becomes very nasty, and I asked my kids to call triple 0 and get the police to come.”

At 5.36pm, Ms Martinez’s daughter phoned emergency services, telling them “our neighbour is kind of ruining our property” and describing “shouting and screaming” outside.

Warhurst and Steendyk being interviewed by Police. Picture: The Australian
Less than 30 minutes later, Warhurst also contacted police, stating: “We’re trying to remove a fence that is on our property and we were assaulted by the neighbour.”

During the call, the 52-year-old Double J host claimed Mr Steendyk had been struck on the head with a pipe by Ms Martinez, before her husband, Cesar Funez, “threatened him with a stick”.

Police from nearby Eltham station attended the scene and separated the parties, with video footage obtained by The Australian.

Steendyk (left) made a formal complaint, leading to Ms Martinez being charged with assault- a charge that was later dropped. Picture: The Australian
Mr Steendyk made a formal complaint, leading to Ms Martinez being charged with assault- a charge that was later dropped.

The conflict escalated in the weeks that followed, with both sides taking out interim intervention orders (IVOs) against each other.

“Things just escalated from there and I went and got an IVO against Myf,” Ms Martinez said.

The court order reportedly prevented Warhurst from “stalking her neighbour, or engaging in any conduct with the intention of causing physical or mental harm”; however, it has since been rescinded.

Myf Warhurst (right) has been a host on Spicks and Specks for 20 years. Picture: ABC-TV
Ms Martinez said she was charged with multiple “criminal charges” relating to the wall’s construction, including a fine of $200,000.

She says all charges have now been dropped.

Separately, Ms Martinez has accused the ABC of defamation over an article published on its website on May 5, 2024, titled “Prize-winning Melbourne architect charged with illegal building work.”

She says the piece, which has since been taken down, identified her by her full legal and professional name, included photographs, and described her role at a leading architectural firm, while omitting any mention of Warhurst or Mr Steendyk, aside from a brief reference to a “neighbour” living with “an ABC contractor”.

Warhurst has strongly denied having any involvement in the article’s publication.

“Myf Warhurst was unaware of the May 2024 article’s existence until a friend brought it to her attention after it was published,” her agent said in a statement to The Australian.

“She had no involvement in its publication and has wished at all times for this matter to remain private. We cannot comment on Mr Steendyk’s behalf.”

Ms Martinez is reportedly pursuing legal action against the ABC over the article, which she claims has caused significant damage to both her personal and professional life.

“That article destroyed my job, life, career and harmed my family while protecting the source of the story,” she said.