A Sydney mother of four says she is heartbroken after her local council warned that her much-loved Halloween display may not continue following a complaint from a neighbour.
Every October, Sarah Naylor-Liddell turns her home in Oran Park, south-west Sydney, into “Spider House” — an elaborate attraction that draws hundreds of visitors.
She takes the entire month off work to create the display before opening her property to the public, free of charge, for the six days before Halloween.
But Camden Council has raised concerns about the attraction operating without the necessary checks and approvals, according to Ms Naylor-Liddell.
Earlier this week, she shared a tearful video on social media explaining the situation.
Ms Naylor-Liddell claimed the display could be forced to end after this year unless she completed the council’s permit process.
“It literally breaks my heart so much. I was told that even if I applied for a permit, that it’s going to get rejected,” she said.
She said the council contacted her after receiving complaints from residents living nearby.
Sarah Naylor-Liddell says she was devastated after the council raised concerns about her elaborate Halloween display following a neighbour’s complaint
Ms Naylor-Liddell dedicates the entire month of October to bringing her Halloween display to life
Ms Naylor-Liddell believes a single complaint may have triggered the council’s intervention, although she said she did not know who had made it.
“We received a phone call that obviously the council has known about what we do,” she told A Current Affair.
“It took one person, one complaint. And of all these years, one person has complaints.”
The mother said she never imagined the attraction would become so popular. Visitors now travel from Wollongong, the Central Coast and even the Hunter Valley to see the display and take part in the Halloween celebrations.
“We had hundreds of people come by, then thousands. Now I have to have enough candy for at least 5,000 people on Halloween,” she said.
Her next-door neighbour, Lakshmi, said they had no issue with the decorations.
“We love it. It’s [been] happening every year for the past few years and we always go and support them,” they said.
The emotional appeal prompted an outpouring of support online, with locals rallying behind Ms Naylor-Liddell and warning that cancelling the display would disappoint large numbers of children.
Ms Naylor-Liddell says the attraction has grown from hundreds of visitors to thousands each year
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Her emotional appeal sparked widespread online support, with locals warning that stopping the display would disappoint countless children
‘Absolutely disgusting! This is going to break so many kids’ hearts,’ one person wrote.
One user described the council’s stance as ‘un-Australian’, while another suggested the council should focus on more pressing local issues.
‘This is absolute bulls***. You have a Karen living in your neighbourhood. I will be there to support you,’ a social media comment read.
A Camden Council spokesperson disputed the suggestion Ms Naylor-Liddell had been prevented from continuing the attraction, telling the Daily Mail the display could go ahead this year and the family was welcome to discuss future arrangements.
‘The activity has been operating without the appropriate checks and approvals being in place,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Council has advised the family that the display is not being stopped from proceeding this coming weekend.
‘However, if the family wishes to run the activity in future years, they will need to contact Council to discuss the appropriate approval pathway and work through any necessary checks and approvals before proceeding.’
The spokesperson said the council welcomed opportunities for the community to come together, provided they were organised safely, responsibly and in line with relevant requirements.
A Camden Council spokesperson disputed suggestions the attraction had been shut down, saying it could proceed this year and the family was welcome to discuss future arrangements
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‘When activities grow to a scale that has the potential to affect public spaces and surrounding residents, it’s important that the appropriate approvals and requirements are in place,’ they said.
‘These processes help ensure the activities are safe, well-managed and considerate of the wider community, including matters such as traffic and pedestrian safety, noise and amenity impacts, food vendors, security and impacts on neighbours.’
‘This matter is not about Halloween decorations versus other decorations – it relates to the organised tours associated with the activity and the need to ensure everything meets the appropriate planning, safety and approval requirements,’ they said.
The spokesperson said the council’s role was to apply the requirements fairly and proportionately, while working with organisers to help them understand their responsibilities.
‘Council is happy to work with residents and community organisers to help them understand the requirements and deliver fun, safe activities across Camden,’ they said.
‘Residents planning future displays or activities are encouraged to contact Council early to discuss their plans and determine whether any approvals are required.’