The plight of a Mullum resident has touched the hearts and injustice buttons of people far and wide who feel that a requirement that she repaint her house a heritage colour and possibly pay a fine, not only ridiculous but also petty.
Many commenters are wondering why Byron Council isn’t putting its energy into more important projects like pothole repairing.
Nicole Haberecht was served with a Byron Shire Council ‘return to work’ order demanding she repaint the house on the grounds that the lilac colour she paid a professional painter $10,000 to put on her house, does not comply with the Non-Indigenous Heritage provisions of DCP 2014.
Ms Haberecht said that the response to the story has been immense. ‘I am very grateful and humbled by everyone’s support. When I moved here I wasn’t wanting any attention but then I painted the house lilac.
Mayor not opposed to lilac house
Ms Haberecht said she has heard nothing more from council but Mayor Simon Richardson has made a comment about the story on The Echo’s Facebook page.
‘I support the owner,’ said Mr Richardson. ‘I’m sick of those believing heritage means painting something in dreadful colours because they did it 100 years ago – the most beautiful heritage building in Mullum is the light pink one – thank goodness the heritage police didn’t hold sway on that.’
Ms Haberecht said she loves the mayor’s comment. ‘It’s amazing.’
The response from the public has only made Nicole more resolute in her position. ‘Everyone has been so supportive and more. People that I don’t know are messaging me privately offering their support. No one ever has said to me to change the colour. Everyone loves it.’
Several of the messages have suggested that Nicole start a petition and that is exactly what she has done. If you would like to show support for the current colour of the lilac house, you can sign the petition at: https://www.change.org/p/byron-shire-council-help-save-the-purplicious-house.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
