Community rallies to decorate Lilydale for Christmas because council can’t afford decorations

A LACK of Christmas cheer in the gateway to the Yarra Valley because the council can’t afford it has spurred a community call to tinsel up the town, branded “so depressing” during the festive season.

Locals are rallying to brighten up Lilydale for Christmas after the council declared it was not “cost effective” to spend money on decorations.

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A LACK of Christmas cheer in the gateway to the Yarra Valley has spurred a community call to tinsel up the town.

Wandin’s Amanda Yong said Lilydale looked “so depressing” at Christmas, especially compared to areas like Ringwood and Box Hill.

Yarra Ranges Council have previously said it is not cost effective to put up Christmas decorations across the shire.

Monbulk traders rattled the tins to raise money for decorations in their town last year, and Lilydale is being encouraged to follow suit. Picture: Stuart Milligan

In past years the Lilydale Chamber of Commerce has chipped in for Christmas cheer, but the group closed more than a year ago due to a lack of interest.

So Ms Yong has called for volunteers and decoration donations to help spruce up Main St.

On Facebook’s Yarra Valley Noticeboard, she asked if people missed having decorations in Lilydale.

“I know it’s probably not in the council budget for them to do it, however I am just getting a feel for what everyone thinks and if I got council approval, would anyone donate some Christmas decorations?” she said in her post.

Speaking to the Leader, Ms Yong said she had previously asked the council about decorating Lilydale’s main street but was told it could not afford to.

“Why can’t they put them up? Especially when rates are so high,” Ms Yong said.

“Driving through the main street (at that time of year) is depressing.”

Ms Yong, who shops in Lilydale, said when she was young, the trees along Main St would be lit up with Christmas lights.

“They had big tinsel decorations on the light posts,” she said.

“Now it just lacks the spirit.”

Ms Yong’s post met with many people offering to donate and help set up decorations.

Di Gallagher said Christmas should be everywhere: “Bring some magic to this country and get everyone smiling again.”

While Miranda Oosthuizen said she thought decorating was the least the council could do for the community.

“Lilydale has no spirit anymore. It is a bottleneck to somewhere better,” Ms Oosthuizen said.

It’s not the first time Yarra Ranges businesses and residents have taken to putting up their own decorations.

In 2016, the Monbulk Business Network rattled tins to raise money for decorations.

It came after artist Joost Bakker created a huge wire tree sculpture in the middle of the town’s roundabout in 2013, sparking a backlash which forced him to pull it down.

This Christmas tree, made of coiled rusted metal, raised eyebrows and was branded ugly when it was erected in the middle of Monbulk in 2013. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Yarra Ranges Mayor Noel Cliff said with 55 towns in the municipality, the council decided it was not “cost effective” to spend money on decorations.

“Upwey businesses took the initiative and have been getting their own decorations for a couple of years,” Cr Cliff said.

“It’s not too costly but it’s effective and it makes the town look absolutely beautiful.”