Locals blinded by colour of roof

FORCED to wear sunglasses in their kitchens, residents in Killarney Crescent at Skennars Head are not happy with the brightness of their neighbour's new roof.

Blinded by the light: Resident Glenda Pierce of Killarney Crescent at Skennars Head, has to wear sunglasses due to the glare coming off her neighbour’s new roof. . Picture: Jerad Williams

FORCED to wear sunglasses in their own kitchens, residents in Killarney Crescent at Skennars Head are not happy with the brightness of their neighbour's new roof.

Glenda Pierce, who lives near the wave-shaped roof, said the glare was ‘blinding' at certain times of the day.

“I just can't believe that this has been allowed to happen,” she said.

“I'm really angry.

“He's just put this roof on without permission and we all have to suffer the consequences.”

But the owner of the roof, John Duyker, said other homes in the neighbourhood had the same colour, known as Surfmist.

“It will fade over time,” he said.

One nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said she was forced to shield her eyes when she was on the toilet because of the unbearable glare.

Others say the glare is giving them migraines and that they now keep their blinds closed and stay off their balconies.

“Even in the middle of the night the roof glows in the darkness,” one resident said.

Concerns have also been raised that the colour of the new roof is so reflective that it could cause car crashes on The Coast Road, and even become a safety hazard for planes flying overhead.

And Ballina Shire Council has agreed with the residents.

At this week's meeting, councillors decided that Mr Duyker was not permitted to have the colour Surfmist on his roof.

He will now have to paint it, replace it or take legal action.

The council had told Mr Duyker that white, off-white and grey colours for the roof would not be acceptable.

Cr Robyn Hordern said his roof was ‘very light'.

“I see that we have a problem,” she said.

“I think it's a very nice colour, don't get me wrong, but it's the position of the council to protect these people (Mr Duyker's neighbours).”

Cr Alan Brown said the roof colour may have been chosen ‘quite innocently'.

But the council this week refused Mr Duyker's application to allow the colour to stay and will demand it be changed to a ‘medium tone'.

He said he was ‘very disappointed' with the decision.

“I chose Surfmist because it represents the colour of the surf and the clouds,” he said.

“Everything is discretionary and ambiguous.

“Of course this is going to cause problems in the neighbourhood. This is our dream home.

“It's a multimillion-dollar property.

“But I am not giving up.

“I still don't think that I've done anything wrong.”

Originally published as Locals blinded by colour of roof