Grinch! Gold Coast City Council cops it over lack of Christmas decorations
THE Gold Coast City Council has been accused of playing the Grinch after dumping its traditional Christmas decorations in favour of LED lights.
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THE Gold Coast City Council has been accused of playing the Grinch after dumping its traditional Christmas decorations in favour of LED lights.
Many council-funded Christmas displays have disappeared this year, leading to accusations the city has lost its festive spirit.
Among the locations missing the usual decorations are Harley Park in Labrador, along Ashmore Road and at Southport where multiple Christmas trees have been reduced to just one.
The council spends $500,000 a year on Christmas decorations but this year decided the money would be better spent on LED lights which can change colour to mark other ocassions such as St Patrick’s Day.
“Council has revamped its citywide Christmas lighting display this year, moving from traditional lighting technology to LED lights to be strung in prominent locations including trees, a boat and a bridge,’’ said Gold Coast Acting Mayor Donna Gates.
“Many of our city’s Christmas decorations had reached their use by date, were looking tired and needed replacement, so it was time for a spruce up with more visually appealing, sophisticated and consistent lighting.’’
The lights can also be found at Kirra Point, Thomas Drive on Chevron Island and The Esplanade at Miami.
Using the lights is expected to reduce the council’s annual Christmas decorations bill to $100,000.
A single string of lights has been put up along the Sundale pedestrian bridge and at Harley Park in Labrador a single Norfolk pine is strung with lights.
The decorations are sparse on Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise with a few stars and Christmas trees and some decoration of the Surfers Paradise sign.
Upper Coomera resident Michelle Brixey said the lights were a letdown.
“It looks like on the Gold Coast we don’t care about Christmas,” she said.
The mother visited Harley Park with her children and was annoyed the usual Christmas tree had not been erected.
“There is just nothing,” she said. “It’s very disappointing.”
Benowa resident Karen Blackhurst called the council twice when she realised the usual Christmas decorations had not been put up around the city.
“It’s almost like we are not allowed to celebrate Christmas,” she said.
Spanish backpacker Alberto Llorente said the lack of decorations left him feeling disappointed about his first Australian Christmas.
“At home we have lights and decorations everywhere,” he said.
“I thought there would be a lot more decorations here.”
Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said the new lights did not deliver Christmas spirit.
“There is nothing too Christmas about them,” he said. “It’s a shame.”
Mr Marshall said Toowoomba had put in a bigger effort.
Main Beach Progress Association secretary Georgie Brown said Christmas banners found in some spots along the Gold Coast Highway were “tea towels”.
Christmas Galore manager Deanna Harnett had just one message for council: “Bah! Humbug”.
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