Bayside Council refuses to put up Christmas tree in Brighton Le Sands

A Sydney council is standing by its decision to not install its annual Christmas tree display at a popular beachside suburb despite facing growing backlash from residents. Have your say in our poll:

The Christmas tree in Brighton Le Sands used to stand tall at Ramsgate Beach. Photo: Kim Yeld

A south Sydney council has refused to tell the community if a Christmas tree will be installed at a popular beach location next year after it was labelled a “Grinch” for not putting one up this year.

Residents have voiced their disapproval at Bayside Council for not erecting a Christmas tree, as it has done in previous years, at Ramsgate Beach in Brighton Le Sands.

Instead the council put up a display of Christmas baubles in public areas which residents have labelled “disappointing” compared to the tree.

The council declined to answer if a Christmas tree would return to the location next year.

This publication put a number of questions to the council and received a response that had already been posted on social media.

The bauble decoration. Picture: Bayside Council councillor Heidi Lee Douglas

Anna Starukhina posted about the lack of a tree, saying the council should have provided a tree as a symbol of Christmas spirit.

She said the council response was an “excuse” but was pleased the Christmas carols returned this year.

While another woman said “come on return the Christmas tree to Brighton. who’s the Grinch?”

Sanjay Constâncio Colaço said the new decorations were “okay as a supplement to a Christmas tree but never as a replacement”.

Last year he started a petition to bring back the Carols by the Sea event.

“This year it’s the Christmas tree that has been snatched,” he said.

Another decoration in Brighton Le Sands. Picture: Bayside Council councillor Heidi Lee Douglas

“Council should really be more aware and respectful of the religious sentiments and rich traditions associated with Christmas festivities,” he said.

“It’s still not too late for council to do the right thing and get on with the simple task of putting up a Christmas tree and (undoing) this faux pas.”

Alenka Bonic said it was “very sad the council didn’t make an effort to make Brighton shine for Christmas, being the closest suburb to the airport, with overseas tourists landing over our bay to see magical lights.

“Think of the visitors it would have attracted, the money for local businesses, the happiness and joy of locals,” she said.

While a grandmother said she missed the Christmas tree this year.

“I used to take photos of my grandchildren every year there, not any more,” she said.

Some residents commented saying they liked the new decorations while other people said to “get over” the issue.

A council spokeswoman said giant Christmas baubles were part of the decorations installed across Bayside.

“Bayside’s Christmas decorations are somewhat different this year as our traditional green Christmas trees had reached their end of life and Council decided to highlight the sparkle of Bayside with a larger-than-life bauble,” she said.

“The giant instagramable Christmas bauble on the Brighton Le Sands foreshore is proving a popular photo backdrop for locals and visitors. A second bauble is lighting up Mascot Central.”

The spokeswoman said the council “spread the Christmas spirit” across the area with three well-attended movie and carols nights in Botany, Wolli Creek, and Bexley, with complimentary entertainment, popcorn, face painting and a visit from Santa.

“Council’s Christmas flags flying across Bayside feature the unique designs of a Year 5 student at the Kingdom Culture Christian School in Arncliffe and a graphic designer from Botany,” she said.

“Additional Christmas decorations will be installed at Bill Batley Square in Ramsgate.”

The spokeswoman said the Carols by the Sea also made a welcome return on the weekend at Botany Bay foreshore.