Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff Christmas flags draw backlash from community

The installation of 21 new Christmas flags across two popular coastal towns has caused a stir among the communities, with some residents labelling them a “joke”.

THE installation of 21 new Christmas flags across two popular coastal towns has caused a stir among the local community.

The new locally-designed flags, which feature multi-coloured shapes and the Borough of Queenscliffe logo, were installed at main shopping precincts in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale this week.

Council said the “festive” flags hoped to bring “a bit of seasonal cheer to the streets” and formed part of the first major refresh of Christmas decorations in years.

But some residents have taken to social media to slam the flags, labelling them as a “joke”, and claiming they make Point Lonsdale’s main street look like a “housing estate entrance”.

“Tinsel would have been more festive and didn’t need the logo,” one poster commented to the council’s Facebook page.

“Can they at least say Merry Christmas on them?” another wrote.

“What’s Christmassy about them, just flags?” another comment read.

The Borough of Queenscliffe installed new Christmas flag decorations in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale this week to bring “a bit of seasonal cheer to the streets”. Picture: supplied.

The project cost around $4800 and the local design team was Ooi Creative Communication, council said.

It said the decision to install the flags came following discussions with the community about Christmas decorations, with a number of local traders suggesting using flags created by a local designer.

Council said while it was actively working on purchasing other additional decorations earlier in 2020, extra decorations have since been put on hold due to the financial impacts of COVID-19.

It will be revisiting purchasing additional decorations in 2021.

Council also held a online lighting of the heritage-listed 45-metre Norfolk pine Christmas tree in Point Lonsdale on Saturday, attracting hundreds of viewers.

The evening included an appearance from Santa Claus and singalong Christmas carols.

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Originally published as Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff Christmas flags draw backlash from community