Banyule Council banishes glow sticks from a neighbourhood Christmas celebration

GLOW sticks have been banished from Ivanhoe’s iconic Boulevard Lights Christmas display because the local council says they’re bad for the environment and distracting children from focusing on the “community spirit”.

GLOW sticks have been banished from a neighbourhood Christmas celebration because the local council says they’re bad for the environment and distracting children from focusing on the “community spirit”.

Banyule Council — which had already banned balloons and disposable plastic plates and cutlery at festivals and events — has now turned its attention to Ivanhoe’s iconic Boulevard Lights display.

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A glow stick retailer had paid $10,000 to sell their wares but now it’s lights out.

Sisters Vaiva, 5, Kira, 3 and Nina, 7 have fun with their glow sticks. Picture: Jason Edwards

Banyule mayor Cr Mark Di Pasquale told the Sunday Herald Sun the decision aimed to refocus children’s attention back to lights on residents’ houses and not ones they could purchase such as glow sticks.

“It was found glow sticks contributed to the cost of cleaning up the event and feedback from parents found they were distracting children from fully participating in the purpose of the event,” Cr Di Pasquale said.

“The Boulevard Christmas Lights are designed first and foremost to be a community-building experience for families, friends and the community to connect by spending time together.”

The 10-day Boulevard Lights display has run for 60 years, attracting up to 6000 visitors a night.

But a council review this month found removing the glow stick seller gave an “opportunity” to build on its “positive environmental gains” and maintain the event’s “non-commercial spirit”.

“There are also strong arguments put forward by parents regarding the pester power of children wanting a glow stick rather than focusing on the Christmas community spirit,’’ the council’s report noted.

The council says the ban is to refocus children’s attention back to lights on residents’ houses and not ones they could purchase such as glow sticks. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Boulevard resident Perry Labiris, who has lived on the iconic street for 28 years, said the decision was a shock. Mr Labiris, who for years has been an active participant in the Christmas event and had his children take part when they were younger, said he never had a problem with litter after the lights display.

“I am surprised,’’ he said.

“People aren’t throwing them (glow sticks) out as far as litter is concerned. Generally over the past few years, it’s been good.”

Mr Labiris agreed the lights event should not be commercialised but did not see the issue with glow sticks being sold and had never noticed his children or others “missing the point” of the Christmas festival.

It’s not the first time a Victorian council ban has sparked debate.

One recently banned children riding bikes, scooters and skateboards on a track at their local park, while Australia Day celebrations have also been canned in some municipalities.

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THE STUPID BANS MADE BY COUNCILS

Balloons

Spiky plants on naturestrips

Disposable plastic plates and cutlery

Australia Day celebrations

Riding bikes, scooters and skateboards

Home-made cakes at kindlers