MidCoast Council is aware of the community comment on social media on the Christmas decorations installed on an iconic tree in Forster.
Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell, said that the while the lighting might not be appreciated by some in the community even the small amount of decorating comes at a cost.
“Installing Christmas lights on large trees such as this is a specialist operation that we do not have the budget to deliver. Our staff are not professional tree decorators and we have delivered what was possible with the budget available and in the same way we have in previous years.
In May this year the elected Council made a decision to no longer undertake Christmas lighting displays after this year, with the lights to be donated to local business and community groups for use in future years.
“Providing Christmas lighting is not a core service of Council, or something we have expert skills in, hence the decision to allow the community the opportunity to take ownership of the lighting going forward. We have had conversations with the Wharf Street Traders about this and the opportunities that exist in the future.
“Some sections of the community appear to be very passionate about the lighting and this will give them the opportunity to be involved in the decisions around it.”
The cost of the lights, installation and removal on the Forster site are approximately $8,000 with Christmas lights across the region costing the Council $25,000. The majority of the costs associated with installing and removing the lights is from crane hire.
Council has also supported the installation of timber trees and tree wraps in Wharf Street Forster, which were also installed this week. Disappointingly some have already been stolen.
Christmas themed banners have been installed in the main centres of Taree, Forster and Gloucester and Council also undertakes a store window Christmas display competition.
