90-year-old man forced by council to repaint big blue house hospitalised 'due to stress'
A 90-year-old man who was forced to repaint his big blue house after a council decision, has been hospitalised due to the stress, his son claims.
Redfern resident, 90-year-old Charles Abdullah, was forced to repaint his Douglas St home that he's owned since 1955, or he faced legal action by Sydney City Council.
Mr Abdullah's son, Mick Abdullah, told 7 News his father has ended up in hospital over the stress.
"It's gotten so bad my poor father has ended up in Prince of Wales hospital having open heart surgery," he said.
Council provided Mr Abdullah with a colour range to choose from when repainting his house, or he would face a fine and court.
His home is now an eggplant hue, blending in with the rest of the street, and the vibrant and bold blue paint is long gone.
"My father should be able to paint his house whatever colour he wants," Mr Abdullah said.
"There are larger problems than the colour of the house - you've got graffiti on the walls, unpicked up rubbish on the streets"
Mr Abdullah said after the original story on 7 News earlier this year, the community was outraged.
"There was overwhelming support on social media by the residents of Sydney - they like the colour blue," Mr Abdullah said.
"Everything has to be up to the people who live in the house, not the council. That is intervention," Neighbour to Mr Abdullah, George Lopez said.
Despite community support, the Abdullah's eventually gave in - painting the home which cost him thousands.
Not only the financial cost, but the identity of the place his family has called home for more than 50 years, is now gone.
