A neighborhood war breaks out over Brisbane man’s impressive Christmas lights in Coopers Plains

A neighborhood war has broken out over a Brisbane man’s impressive Christmas lights, which he puts on every year to spread joy in his community.

Brisbane resident Jamie Lehmann spends countless hours and invests thousands of dollars every year furnishing his home in Coopers Plains, 14km south of the city’s CBD.

However, his festive tradition hit a snag last Thursday when the city issued an order ordering him to remove the lights and decorations along the walkway in front of his home after a complaint from a neighbor.

Mr Lehmann’s decorations blocked the official footpath, but he claims this is not a problem as he has rerouted it (above), with the path passing through his impressive Christmas lights display

“It’s started, another complaint,” he said. “I understand I have the walkway closed at this time. It’s not a footpath anyway. It’s grass.

‘But you just want to whine because I’m doing something for the community.

“One person ruined it for thousands of people. That’s it, I’m done. I’m tired of this nonsense.’

Mr Lehmann (above) slammed the council and said he was allowed to decorate the walkway as part of the Festive Footpaths program

Mr Lehmann said he was entitled to decorate the walkway under Brisbane Council’s Festive Footpaths program, which allows council walkways and trees to be decorated for Halloween and Christmas from October 15 to 14 January.

However, his awards blocked the grass path and did not meet council guidelines. even though he led the community’s footpath through his garden, which is lined with impressive Christmas lights.

Mr Lehmann suggested to the council that the display be placed further away from the kerb, ensuring the required 1.2 meters under the council’s local legislation. However, the municipality insisted that the display be placed specifically near the mailbox.

The council threatened to issue a fine of $800 per day until the sidewalk decorations were removed.

Now Mr. Lehmann is threatening to cancel the entire light show if the ‘Grinch’ continues to harass him.

Mr Lehmann received two complaints (one above) for installing lights and decorations in the council walkway outside his home

Mr. Lehmann puts on a large Christmas lights display every year, which takes countless hours to complete (photo, the 2022 display)

He said he was ‘sick and tired’ of the council’s complaints and threatened to cancel this year’s demonstration (photo, 2022)

“If the council is going to declare that it’s the same person who complained last year, I’m done,” he said.

“All the lights will be removed, and we won’t be doing anything this year, and signs will be plastered in our yard saying that the complainer and the council have shut us down!”

‘This is all possible, the whole lot. No Christmas this year because some worthless bastard can’t keep his mouth shut.”

Thousands of upset fans protested the council’s order, but also asked Mr Lehmann to consider allowing the light show to go ahead without the sidewalk decorations.

“From one decorator note to another, this makes me angry. Sad to see all that hard work ruined by one complaint and the council not applying common sense to the risk assessment,” said one.

“Looks so good, and you kept a walking path. So not sure why there would be a problem,” wrote another.

‘My kids absolutely love your beautiful display! My six year old was looking forward to it. I will happily sign anything or write a letter of support if needed,” another person said.

“So disappointing for you, thank you for all your hard work bringing Christmas to thousands of people,” wrote a fourth.

Mr Lehmann was furious with the council and pointed to the Festive Footpaths programme, which allows residents to decorate the walkway (photo: Mr Lehmann preparing the lights)

Thousands of Mr Lehmann’s fans have dismissed the council’s complaints and pointed out that there is still a functional footpath (photo, 2022)

After receiving a second complaint from the council, following reports from a neighbour, Mr Lehmann said: ‘All lights will be removed and we will not be moving forward with anything this year’ (pictured, 2022)

Thousands of Brisbane residents begged Mr Lehmann to go ahead with the screening (above last year) and condemned the council’s complaints

‘This is so sad! What has happened to the world if we can’t even enjoy beautiful Christmas lights and embrace the Christmas season,” said another.

‘Why do people complain about those who try to bring a little happiness to others? It’s not damn cheap and the time and effort we all put into it is enormous,” wrote another.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, City Standards councilor Kim Marx said Brisbane City Council “did not advise this resident to completely remove his display, but did require a minor adjustment to allow other residents to park safely and were able to get out of their car’.

‘It was the residents’ choice not to implement this adjustment. The municipality wants to create a safe place together with the resident before further action is taken.’

The council additionally noted that officers noticed that part of the Christmas light structure was attached to a utility pole and that Mr. Lehmann had trimmed street trees to make room for decorations.