Council’s tree grinches

HOBART City Council is considering installing a security fence around its biggest Christmas tree this year to save on the cost of having it guarded. An investigation into whether a security fence would be the best way to protect the tree at Mawson Place was signed off by aldermen last night, along with a $141,453 Christmas decorations budget for this year. The budget also included cash for a new “temporary live tree installation” at Wellington Court.

HOBART City Council could build a security fence around its biggest Christmas tree this year to prevent vandals from damaging it and to save on the cost of having it guarded.

An investigation into whether a security fence would be the best way to protect the 14m tree at Mawson Place was approved by aldermen at a council meeting last night along with a Christmas decorations budget of $141,453.

Aldermen Philip Cocker, Helen Burnet and Jeff Briscoe voted against the motion.

Ald Anna Reynolds was absent from the meeting.

Ald Marti Zucco said the cost of having security guards protect the tree was too expensive and a fence would save the council in the long term.

He suggested the tree could be open to the public and clip- locked at night or locked permanently.

Ald Denison urged council officers when looking into the financial feasibility of a security fence to consider how having a barrier keeping families away from the tree could affect the Christmas experience especially since last year many families wanted to get up close and take a photo.

“At the end of the day it’s about Christmas. It’s about families,” she said. “It’s about a Christmas tree that I think looks great at night and a lot of families obviously enjoyed it.

Ald Denison, who did vote in favour, also questioned whether a fence would be a deterrent for any would-be vandals.

“There are those who like to tag things and vandalise things and really no fence will stop them anyway,” she said.

The amount paid for secur- ity last year was not known and it’s also too early to gauge the cost of a fence.

The council also voted to place five live Christmas trees at Wellington Court after the 6m artificial tree there had come to the end of its display life.

The five live trees were at Elizabeth Mall last year.

Ald Bill Harvey put forward an amendment, which was approved, for council to consider aligning the Christmas decoration program with the council’s waste management strategy.

The Mawson Place tree lighting is expected to be held on November 30.

Last year, Hobart ratepayers basked in the glory of the 14m tall tree with former mayor Sue Hickey declaring at the time that it was “much bigger than the one in Launceston”.