A neighbourhood war has broken out over a Brisbane man’s impressive Christmas lights display that he puts on every year to spread joy in his community.
Brisbane resident Jamie Lehmann devotes countless hours and invests thousands of dollars annually to decorate his home in Coopers Plains, located 14km south of the city’s CBD.
However, his festive tradition hit a snag last Thursday when the council issued an order instructing him to remove the lights and decorations placed along the walkway in front of his home following a complaint from a neighbour.
‘It’s started, another complaint,’ he said. ‘I understand I’ve blocked off the walkway at the moment. It’s not a footpath anyway. It’s grass.
‘But you just want to whinge because I do something for the community.
‘One person ruined it for thousands of people. That’s it, I’m done. I’m sick and tired of this bulls**t.’
Brisbane man Jamie Lehmann has threatened to cancel his annual Christmas lights display after he received two council complaints (pictured, Mr Lehmann’s lights in 2022)
Mr Lehmann said he had the right to decorate the walkway under Brisbane Council’s Festive Footpaths program, which permits decorating council-owned walkways and trees for Halloween and Christmas from October 15 to January 14.
However, his decorations blocked off the grass footpath, not meeting the council’s guidelines.
Mr Lehmann argued it’s a non-issue, as he has redirected the council footpath through his backyard, which passes through his impressive Christmas lights display.
He threatened to cancel the entire light show if the ‘Grinch’ continued to hassle him.
‘If the council is going to state it’s the same person that complained last year, I’m done,’ he said.
‘All the lights will be removed, and we will not be proceeding with anything this year, and signs will be plastered in our yard stating that the complainer and the council shut us down!’
‘All this is going, the whole lot. No Christmas this year because one lousy c**t can’t keep their mouth to themselves.’
His decorations blocked off the grass footpath, not meeting the council’s guidelines, sparking complaints from neighbours
Mr.Lehmann claims it’s a non-issue, as he has redirected the council footpath through his backyard, which passes through his impressive Christmas lights display
Mr Lehmann received two complaints (one above) for putting lights and decorations in the council-owned walkway outside his home
Mr Lehmann was furious with council and pointed to its Festive Footpaths program, which allows residents to decorate the walkway (pictured, Mr Lehmann preparing the lights)
Thousands of upset fans protested the council’s order, but also asked Mr Lehmann to consider going ahead with the light show without the footpath decorations.
‘From one decorator nut to another, this makes me angry. Sad to see all that hard work ruined by one complaint and council not applying common sense to the risk assessment,’ one said.
‘Looks so good, and you’ve kept a walkway. So not sure why there would be an issue,’ another wrote.
‘My children absolutely delight in your wonderful display! My six-year-old was looking forward to it. I will happily sign anything or write a support letter if you need,’ another person said.
‘So disappointing for you, thank you for all your hard work to bring Christmas to thousands of people,’ a fourth wrote.
Thousands of Brisbane locals pleaded with Mr Lehmann to continue with the display (last year’s above) and slammed council’s complaints
‘This is so sad! What’s happened to the world when we can’t even enjoy some beautiful Christmas lights and embrace the Christmas season,’ another said.
‘Why do people complain about the ones trying to bring a bit of happiness to others. It’s not bloody cheap and the time and effort we all put in is massive,’ another wrote.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brisbane City Council for comment.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
