Festive spirit pays off

GEELONG’S floating Christmas tree helped attract record crowds to the city’s most recent festive program, the council says.

Research from City Hall shows almost 260,000 people attended central Geelong to experience the city’s Christmas activities between November and January.

However, the accuracy of the research has not been fully explained, with the City of Greater Geelong relying on technology to estimate attendance figures.

Bluetooth phone data was used to count people in specific areas during the Christmas program.

The method was first trialled in 2016 and replaced the previous approach of headcounts, when lower attendances were recorded.

A council spokesman was unable to clarify how the data distinguished visitors from other people in the areas who were not there for the attractions.

But if the figures are accurate, it shows the Christmas in Geelong program is delivering major economic benefits.

The headline attraction — a 25m tall Christmas tree floating in Corio Bay — was a source of controversy when first promoted by former mayor Darryn Lyons, with the council spending more than $300,000 on it each year.

But the data indicates that money is well spent.

Other drawcards included projections onto City Hall and Christmas displays in the Myer windows.

Overall, the council estimates its latest Christmas in Geelong program injected $17.3 million into the local economy.

“These figures are very positive,” Mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“They show council’s yearly investment in the program has been returned many times over in terms of increased economic activity and that it’s highly popular with the community.”

It comes as City Hall plans to expand Christmas decorations to Pakington St, in Geelong West, and High St, in Belmont, with $60,000 set aside in the next draft budget.