Brisbane news live: Council criticised over ‘poorly planned’ Story Bridge restoration; Emma McKeon announces retirement from swimming; Labor eyes last chance of 2024 to tick policy boxes

David Strickland’s passion for Christmas has been expressed with his mega festive lights display at his Burpengary East home, north of Brisbane, for the past five years.

He became renowned for covering his home at 12 Bedarra Crescent with more than 60,000 Christmas lights, with his massive display featuring music, an 11-metre inflatable Santa Claus and a large Super Mario on the front lawn.

He was forced to pull the plug early last year after receiving a barrage of abuse online, chiefly from his neighbours over traffic congestion in the surrounding streets.

This year his festive cheer has been marred by the social media onslaught and he has taken a different tack, putting up a much smaller display, featuring the Grinch … and two middle fingers.

David told 4BC Radio this morning that despite putting a traffic management plan in place last year, he could not go ahead with the lights display again.

“You try and do as much as you can, but unfortunately, you just can’t please everyone,” he said.

David said he decided not to go ahead after seeing his wife in tears over the nasty comments on social media and receiving frightening threats in the letterbox that left them feeling unsafe in their own home.