Moreland Council move to slash Christmas decoration prompts local backlash

A MOVE by an inner-city council to reduce Christmas decorations looks set to backfire, with affected residents in Melbourne’s north kicking up a fuss.

Moreland City Council Christmas decorations at the Brunswick Town Hall

A MOVE by an inner-city council to reduce Christmas decorations looks set to backfire.

Moreland Council recently voted to limit ratepayer-funded decorations to just three areas: Coburg, Brunswick and Glenroy. It also opted to “transition” from traditional decorations to “more modern decorations that can be multipurpose and used at other events”.

However, it seems residents who will miss out on Christmas decorations from 2017 are kicking up a fuss.

Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton wants Fawkner’s Bonwick St neighbourhood centre to be included on the decorations list, saying it’s “in the interests of community harmony”.

Cr Bolton will put up the proposal at a council meeting tomorrow night, but management says it will cost ratepayers an extra $24,000 and could trigger more demands.

Some have accused Moreland of being Grinches when it comes to Christmas.

“Adding one of 12 neighbourhood centres is at odds with the approach of only focusing decoration in the major activity centres, and raises further expectations of investment in the remaining 11 neighbourhood centres,” said an officer’s report. “Council cannot contain this expenditure within its existing financial footprint.”

Moreland councillors will vote on whether to order a report on adding Fawkner to the list of Christmas decorations venues.

When revealed by the Herald Sun in May, the council’s new policy copped a backlash, especially as part of the justification was to be more “inclusive” of Moreland’s diverse community. At the time Moreland acting mayor Lita Gillies also cited financial constraints.

“A rate-capped environment necessitates efficiencies and innovation to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community,” Cr Gillies said.

Cr Lambros Tapinos voted against the move, saying Moreland wanted to phase out Christmas as we know it.

Twitter: @JMasanauskas