Stonnington Council to again spend $300k on Christmas decorations in 2020

An inner Melbourne council is not grinching on its Christmas decorations budget despite the impact of COVID-19. And you won’t believe how much they’re spending to install and maintain them.

Stonnington Council is again spending $300,000 on Christmas decorations and installations in 2020. Picture: Stuart Milligan

An inner city council will drop $300,000 decorating the suburbs this Christmas to boost the area’s festive spirit after a tough 2020.

But some readers aren’t impressed with Stonnington Council’s decision to maintain its massive decorations budget, declaring it a waste of ratepayer’s cash.

The council is forking out the same amount as it did in 2019, when it was second to neighbouring Boroondara as one of the most festive councils in Melbourne.

Stonnington will spend $100,000 on decorations, with the remaining $200,000 in its budget going towards installation, maintenance, power and security costs.

It will put large stars, wreaths, flags and banners on council buildings, along with special lighting displays and festive trees in key shopping precincts.

Council spokesman Jim Carden said it decided to maintain the $300,000 spend following the cancellation of its carols and other Christmas events due to coronavirus restrictions.

“We are maintaining last year’s investment to bring a little extra cheer into the seasonal decorations of our streets and buildings,” he said.

“We believe it is important that we continue to support our business community in their local precincts in any way we can, including by bringing some much-needed colour and joy at the end of a tough year.”

Mr Carden said the council was also reusing larger decorations from previous years and it donated old ones to regional councils after they were refurbished.

He indicated the council could increase its spending next year for new bin wraps and tree guards, which it purchases every three years.

Readers had mixed reactions to the council’s spending on Stonnington Leader’s Facebook page.

Anne Rasmussen said it was “a waste of money in shopping strips” and only the customer service centre and the council’s two town halls should be decorated.

Vera Glock and Steve Anderssen believed the council could use some of the funds to buy more food for those in need.

On the Stonnington Ratepayers and Residents page, Luana Bijou described the spending as “madness”, while Genevieve Butas wrote: “Not what I pay my rates for.”

But trader Matt Lanigan supported spending “something” on decorations.
“God knows our community needs some joy and some hope for the summer after the mental health and anxiety that has been prevalent for the last 8 months,” he wrote.

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