Tree fee: Geelong's floating decoration costs $600k a year

“Rip off” or “money well spent”? Geelong is split on the cost associated with the floating Christmas tree. HAVE YOUR SAY.

The tree was towed into position at dawn. Picture: City of Greater Geelong

Geelong council’s floating Christmas tree costs ratepayers at least $600,000 each year, but the mayor says the economic benefit means the tree is worth the fee.

The cost associated with assembly, operation and dismantlement of the tree that sits at the bottom of Moorabool St came to $800,000 last year according to the city’s annual report.

President of the Geelong Ratepayers Association Peter Mitchell said the cost of the tree had long been an issue.

“It’s been a problem because of where that money could be used better,” Mr Mitchell said.

“I’d be interested in knowing how much they believe it brings in, if there’s a cost benefit, I’d be surprised.

Ratepayers Geelong president Peter Mitchell. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mayor Stretch Kontelj, a self-proclaimed “big fan of the tree”, said the economic benefit far outweighed the price tag.

“The tree brings in millions of dollars of economic benefit,” Mr Kontelj said.

“It creates a very family friendly environment for weeks leading up to Christmas, and we’ve got many out of town people coming to Geelong, it receives lots of social media attention, which also has a dollar value.

“We’re introducing additional decorations this year, we’re introducing some new, upgraded decorations which will start appearing this week onwards and we’ll just continue to build on them through the next few years.

“People love Christmas like no other time of year, so I think the amount we invest in Christmas is money well spent.”

According to council figures 56 per cent of survey respondents rated the Floating Christmas tree experience as ‘excellent’ and a further 30 per cent rated the experience as ‘good’.

The tree finally left the Mackey St marina in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, docking in its familiar position about 6am.

South Geelong resident Ruby Wilson, who works at a waterfront ice cream store Blis, defended the tree.

“It’s a bit expensive, but it’s a significant part of Geelong’s Christmas celebrations and it’s something a lot of people look forward to,” Ms Wilson said.

“When the Christmas tree is opening it does bring a lot of money to local businesses”

Queensland tourist Ross Smith was less impressed.

“I reckon it's a rip off mate,” Mr Smith said.

“[The money] would be better spent on the roads.”

“The roads are s**t”

Stretch Kontelj and Denis Walter with some young Christmas fans. Picture: City of Greater Geelong

The tree cost almost $1m when it was first built in 2014 at the direction of colourful mayor Darryn Lyons and was initially given a $1m budget to last 5-years of operation.

Executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said the tree would get another year in before council decide if it would need to be replaced.

“The tree’s lifespan is dependent on several factors, including an annual safety assessment by engineers to ensure its structural integrity for the season ahead,” Ms Bradley said.

“With this in mind, Christmas 2026 is likely to be the tree’s last year before a decision is made about its future.

“Given its immense popularity, we’ll make sure to keep the community informed.”

Council couldn’t say how expensive a new tree would be.

The 25m tree has exceeded its expected 10-year lifespan due to the materials used and local manufacturing techniques.

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Originally published as Tree fee: Geelong's floating decoration costs $600k a year