At this time of year many Surry Hills residents are suffering withdrawal from the annual light display of the Vivid Festival. But one local man has given us a light display we so desperately crave.
“I saw a bunch of my neighbours kicking stones looking up into the sky wanting to see flashing lights,” said Wayne Bartrim. “It’s the least I can do”.
Unfortunately the immediate popularity of the impromptu display has led to mass road closures in surrounding streets.
To compound issues, the kind gesture has resulted in swift and savage penalties from the council who have imposed a $7,500 fine due to Mr Bartrim not applying for a lighting permit through the appropriate channels.
Ironically the resulting fine has meant that Mr Bartrim is not able to pay his electricity bill and is now forced to hold a candelabra from his upstairs bedroom window.
A crowdfunding site to raise money to assist in payment of the fine is now underway.
“F me sideways all I was trying to do was bring some light into peoples lives in the best way I know how and that’s why I actually turning on some lights”, said of despondent Mr Bartrim.
