‘Pack of Grinches’: Knox City Council rejects motion to put up red bows at Christmas

An eastern suburbs council will not decorate local shopping strips for Christmas, after councillors debated the purchasing of dozens of red bows for more than two hours.

An eastern suburbs council will not decorate local shopping strips for Christmas, after councillors debated the purchasing of dozens of red bows for more than two hours.

Knox City councillor Robert Williams put forward a motion to decorate seven activity centres with 160 red bows, at an estimated cost of $15,000, at the council meeting on Monday night.

The bows were proposed to be installed in Alchester Village, Ferntree Gully Village, Knox Gardens, Knoxfield, Rowville, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully.

160 red bows would have been purchased and installed on council trees in seven activity centres in Knox if the motion had of passed.

The motion came after Knox City councillors previously passed a motion to explore Christmas decoration options in local retail precincts in a bid to “enhance civic pride” and support traders during the festive season in March.

The move was at the request of local traders.

Mr Williams — who sported a red Santa hat during the heated debate — said Christmas was a time to celebrate as a community.

“These decorations are a program that gives us a start to recognising the festive season in Knox,” he said.

The council already owns some decorations including this nativity scene. Picture: Janine Eastgate

His motion was seconded by Councillor Susan Pearce who said the municipality had one of the most popular Carols by Candlelight events but did not celebrate Christmas in any other way.

“We are talking about Christmas decorations,” she said.

“We can spend that money on Sorry Day or Pride or Hanukkah but we can’t spend it on Christmas?

“All we are talking about is some bows.”

The debate lasted for more than two hours, with all nine councillors voicing their opinion on the matter.

The issue was debated at the Knox City Council meeting on Monday night. Picture: Steve Tanner

Councillor Glen Atwell said he opposed the decision due to financial concerns, citing the $15,000 was not included in the council budget passed in June.

“Financial caution matters,” he said.

“The cost may outweigh the impact.

“I love Christmas as much as the next person but I question whether this needs to be council initiated.”

Mayor Lisa Cooper also opposed the motion.

“I am hearing people say we do not celebrate Christmas,” she said.

“I completely reject that, we spent a lot of money at Christmas and we spend a lot of money at Carols by Candlelight.

“What we are actually talking about are additional decorations we put up at Christmas and I simply don’t support that.

“I do not think that delivers for our community.”

The decoration motion was lost, with only Mr Williams, Ms Pearce and Councillor Peter Lockwood supporting the vote.

“What a pack of Grinches,” Mr Lockwood said.

“It is a trifling amount and it adds to the heart of Christmas, you all lack heart.”