The Grinch councils doing Christmas on the cheap

STINGY Melbourne councils are threatening Christmas cheer with Scrooge-like spending on festive decorations, closing their wallets on bringing festive spirit to the holiday season.

STINGY councils are threatening Christmas cheer with Scrooge-like spending on festive decorations, the Herald Sun can reveal.

While inner-city councils like Moreland and Stonnington spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to make this December special, other wealthy councils like Yarra and Port Phillip have closed their wallets.

Yarra will spend $30,000 on wreaths and wooden sculptures in a handful of locations this year, despite sitting on a $9 million cash surplus.

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Fitzroy North worker Kye Brown expects something more exciting than fake trees. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Grinch move caps a year of controversy for the council, which made headlines for dumping Australia Day, debating a memorial to heroin user s and a botched attempt at a new bin tax.

The council also approved a $150,000 monument to the Stolen Generation.

Yarra’s Christmas spending pales against Stonnington ($287,000) and Boroondara ($103,000).

Kye Brown, who lives and works in City of Yarra, said the council’s lack of festive spirit was disappointing.

“This is a tight-knit community with lots of young families so I feel there should be more effort by the council in promoting Christmas especially for the kids,” Mr Brown said.

“You look out on the streets and it’s drab. There’s nothing but some wooden trees. But in other parts of Melbourne, there’s a lot more decorations which brighten up the streets.”

Port Phillip remained the most frugal council with just $4000 spent on decorations.

Fitzroy North locals Mafi Watson, Anne-Marie O' Brien and Kye Brown aren’t feeling particularly festive, thanks to the council’s lacklustre Christmas decorations. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Mayor Bernadette Voss said the amount reflected the city’s “diverse and secular community”.

“We have left decisions about Christmas displays in public areas to local organisations such as community groups, traders associations and market committees, rather than imposing a council-wide approach,” she said.

Hobson’s Bay will spend $30,000 installing street pole decorations and a “large garland” at Williamstown Hall.

Stonnington, Bayside and Moreland councils are bucking the trend, spending record amounts this festive season.

Moreland will splash $227,000 on decorations including lights, wreaths, reindeer and a large Christmas tree at Coburg Town Hall.

Melbourne Council’s Christmas bauble is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Federation Square this year. Picture: Supplied

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The spending comes a year after the council was accused of “sidelining” Christmas by diverting money to other religious holidays.

“The Christmas spirit is already strong in Moreland,” mayor John Kavanagh said. “Outside of our Christmas and celebrations program we also host several events for our community, including Carols by the Lake, which was attended by nearly 6000 people last year.”

Bayside, which covers blue ribbon suburbs such as Brighton, Hampton and Black Rock, will spend more than $177,000 on Christmas trees, banners and lighting across nine family hot spots.

Melbourne City Council is still No. 1, with $1.25 million for decorations, including a giant bauble and a light show.

COUNCIL SPENDING ON CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN 2017

Melbourne: $1.25 million

Stonnington: $287,000

Moreland: $227,000

Bayside: $177,762

Boroondara: $103,000

Moonee Valley: $100,000

Darebin: $82,000

Yarra: $30,000

Hobson’s Bay: $30,000

Port Phillip: $4000

*Banyule and Maribyrnong councils did not respond to requests for information.

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@edjgardiner