Christmas tree at Exit 57 Oxenford relocated by TMR officials

Transport officials have been seen removing a Christmas tree from a Gold Coast road placed by the mysterious Tinsel Bombers group. But the story had a surprising festive twist.

BUREAUCRATS are playing grinch with a Gold Coast tradition after a Christmas tree was relocated from a busy overpass.

For the last three years an anonymous group called the Tinsel Bombers have struck at night to decorate a tree on the Oxenford overpass at Exit 57.

Because of recent upgrades the tree has since been removed, but that didn’t stop the cheeky locals adding their own christmassy addition this year by way of a fully decorated tree, complete with an elf, on November 30th.

Despite their efforts in tying and weighing down the tree Transport and Main Roads officers were spotted removing the decoration early Thursday morning.

The tree placed at Exit 57 by the Gold Coast Tinsel Bombers. Photo supplied by the original Gold Coast Tinsel Bombers.

An elf on the tree placed by the Gold Coast Tinsel Bombers. Photo supplied by the original Gold Coast Tinsel Bombers.

Head elf of the Tinsel Bombers group told the Bulletin they were disappointed that the annual tradition was put to an end.

“It all started from a sad looking ‘tree in a tub’ on the Exit 57 overpass, which was our very first tinsel bombing mission,” they said. “The tree was removed as part of the recent upgrades, so we have replaced it and added an elf.

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“My husband and I drive over the exit daily, twice a day, sometimes more often and fellow tinsel bombers do too. So we were all monitoring the state of the tree, and had it shown signs of dropping, leaning or whatever we would have removed it.

“We wear hi-vis ourselves when placing it.

A TMR worker packing up the Christmas tree that was placed by the tinsel bombers at the Oxenford overpass. Photo supplied by Gold Coast Community Facebook Page.

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“The structure was weighed down by three weight packs of around 6 or 7kg each, and used metres of packing tape, so we were not reckless or irresponsible in siting it there – it would not have blown away.

“Also, every single year we totally remove whatever we ‘bomb’ and leave it pristine, no litter.”

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the tree was set to be relocated to the corner near the Oxenford Tavern.

“While we appreciate the Christmas cheer The Tinsel Bombers are spreading across the Gold Coast, motorist safety remains our top priority,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Tinsel Bombers also understands this safety focus, due to the tree’s close location to the M1.

“With their support, the Christmas tree has been relocated to the corner of Heathwood Drive and Tamborine-Oxenford Road.

“We wish everyone a safe and happy festive season.”

The tinsel bomber said by relocating the tree TMR were keeping up with a larger game of ‘Elf on the Shelf’.

“It makes them the Masters of Elf on the Shelf as they will have moved our elf (that sat glued at the bottom of the tree) from one location to another overnight,” they said.

Originally published as Christmas tree at Exit 57 Oxenford relocated by TMR officials