NSW family ordered to take down Christmas lights after ‘Grinch’ complaint to Blue Mountains City Council

The Harris family were stunned when a Blue Mountains Town Council ranger knocked on the door yesterday to say his lights had sparked a complaint.

“The ranger said the guy even called himself ‘The Christmas Grinch’ when they called [council] up,” a family member told 9News.com.au.

“They couldn’t even give us the actual address of our home.”

At the center of the appeal are three poles located on the family’s natural strip that hold a string of fairy lights suspended from the roof of their home.

The family explained that they came up with the idea to use the poles after the council removed two massive Liquidambar trees that normally supported the display from the nature strip.

”Last year they hung the lights next to the trees, we didn’t get any complaints,” said a family member.

“When the trees were removed so quickly, we were actually devastated about the Christmas lights, so we were like, ‘How can we recreate the same thing without it being permanent?’

They argued that their structure posed less danger than the Liquidambars, who had uprooted the road and caused damage to their driveway.

The display was also popular with the community, with many locals stopping by to take pictures under the lights. 

“We’ve gone to as much effort and expense as you can imagine, not only to make sure they’re out of the way, but to make sure we have a magical area, like you’re running under the stars,” the family member said.

The family said they were told they had two weeks to remove the posts, but that the council could take them down at any time, as well as impose fines.

With just three and a half weeks until Christmas, the appeal comes as a crushing blow.

“Hopefully someone will see sense in the advice, it’s not that unreasonable,” said a family member.

“We’re not one of those houses that have lights all over the place, we’ve taken care of that.”

The Blue Mountains City Council told 9News.com.au they hoped to find a compromise.

“The council recognizes that Christmas is a special time of year,” the statement said.

“While we have had complaints from members of the public regarding safety concerns about the wires and structures on the public thoroughfare, and the Council and the resident are responsible for any safety issues that may arise, we would really like to find a compromise.

“Our CEO personally sought a compromise with the occupant that would allow the lights to be on display while ensuring safety. We’re disappointed we didn’t find a solution, but we’ll keep trying.”