WHY WE’RE THE PLACE TO BE FOR XMAS:
Stonnington: $287,000 Moreland: $227,000 Bayside: $177,762 Boroondara: $103,000 Moonee Valley: $100,000
GEELONG’S Christmas display now rivals that of the Melbourne CBD, according to our new mayor Bruce Harwood.
Council figures suggest Geelong’s floating Christmas tree and other festive offerrings pump $13 million into the local economy and are enjoyed by 216,000 people annually.
Cr Harwood said the city’s Christmas spectacular was appealing to visitors from Melbourne and other parts of the state, as well as locals.
“The (floating) tree in par- ticular, and the evening we had lighting it, has been an early highlight. I was surprised by the sheer number of people that came down (this year), especially young families,” Cr Harwood said.
“The fact that we are able to draw down people from Melbourne and the country is a real bonus for us. We’ve come a long way in what we are offering.”
A recent council survey revealed interstate visitors were also descending on Geelong to take in its festive offerings.
Council is spending about $430,000 on Christmas deco- rations and events this year — $310,000 for the floating tree on Corio Bay, $54,000 for Christmas-related events, $30,621 for the catenary star lights and a $20,000 sponsorship of Christmas Eve carols at GMHBA Stadium.
It comes as the City of Melbourne will spend $1.25 million for its Christmas decorations, including a giant bauble and light show this year.
Meanwhile, inner Melbourne councils Moreland ($227,000), Stonnington ($287,000) and Boroondara ($103,000) are also spending big.
In Ballarat, it is also beginning to look a lot like Christmas with the regional city’s popular floral and topiary Christmas decorations in place.
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Roger Grant said the Geelong council’s yearly additions to the city’s Christmas decorations and drawcards has worked to boost our reputation as a Christmas destination.
“The Christmas tree, lights and the (catenary) star and all the work council has done has further enhanced Geelong,” Mr Grant said. “There are so many reasons for Geelong people to be proud at this time of year.
“The (floating) Christmas tree has been controversial but has certainly proven a reason for people to come into Geelong.
“The Christmas decorations in the streets and the tree add depth to the product and cream to the cake so to speak.”
However, the estimated $13 million our festive drawcards will generate is down from the previous year’s estimate of $18 million and tree visitors are down 34,000 from council estimates two years ago.