The Boulevard Christmas Lights: Banyule Council under fire for not promoting event

For more than 60 years it’s been Melbourne’s premier Christmas lights display — so why doesn’t the local council want you to see it?

Chandlar Sutterby, Edna Mahina and Tanya Sutterby will again stage a massive lights display at their home on The Boulevard in Ivanhoe, despite Banyule Council not wanting to promote the event. File Picture: Jason Edwards

A longtime participant in one of Melbourne’s longest running Christmas lights displays has described the local council’s decision to not actively promote the event as “ludicrous”.

Banyule Council is not promoting The Boulevard Ivanhoe’s Christmas lights, which can attract thousands of visitors each night, fearing large crowds in the streets.

A statement on the council’s website reads: “Community safety and amenity remain concerns and Victoria Police has recommended Council not promote the event to reduce excessive crowd numbers and vehicles.”

But police told the Herald Sun local officers have no concerns with large crowds flocking to The Boulevard.

Heidelberg police Senior Sergeant Terry Ryan said officers would assist the council with its traffic management plan, but any decision on promoting the event was “a matter solely for Banyule City Council”.

The lights display, started by residents more than 60 years ago, usually begins around December 15, and attracts thousands of people from across Melbourne.

The council has previously assisted the event with traffic management, bins and toilets, but did not provide any support last year due to Covid-related concerns.

This year, it is providing traffic management from December 20 to 24 – after it holds its Carols event in Greensborough on December 18.

Lee Sutterby, who organises a massive display on The Boulevard each year with his family, said he felt there was no excuse for the council to not promote the event with Covid-19 restrictions eased.

“You can go to the MCG with 90,000 people, but they don’t want people to go down and watch The Boulevard Christmas lights,” he said.
“It’s ludicrous, you’re out in an open space, what’s the difference?

“A guy up from us has had his stuff out for two weeks, it’s a Melbourne tradition, people are going to want to come out and do what they used to do.”

Chandlar Sutterby, 23, Edna Mahina, 19 and Tanya Sutterby are planning another summer-themed lights display as part of this year’s Christmas lights on The Boulevard in Ivanhoe. File Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Sutterby said he was not aware of participating households getting any support from the council over electricity costs, saying it used to provide “a $40 cheque” towards expenses.

He said he had no concerns over large crowds coming to view his display and others in the street.

“We had quite a good crowd last year with no traffic control … if the crowds are out there (this year), council will need to review their decision,” he said.

As part of its traffic management arrangements with police, the council is not allowing parking in any section of The Boulevard, and the speed limit will be reduced to 20km/h.

Footpaths will also operate “in one direction only” and safety tape and bollards will be placed on nature strips to deter pedestrians from walking on the road.

“We ask everyone to follow signage, act safely and respect residents’ property and the local amenity,” the council stated on its website.

It’s not the first time the council’s support for The Boulevard Christmas lights has been in the spotlight.

In 2017, the same year as the Bourke St massacre in January, it splashed an extra $66,000 on security for the event amid heightened fears of a terrorist attack.

The council was contacted for further comment.