It’s beginning to look a bit like last Christmas in Colac

COLAC’S Christmas decorations have been downsized, with the council scrapping plans to add festive splashes to the city’s street poles.

In an embarrassing series of events, the council has run out of time to find an alternative solution after a stand-off between authorities over liability and cost.

Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram said issues arose when Powercor raised concerns about the potential impact of the council’s old decorations on their infrastructure.

“Powercor were worried that decorations hanging on their power poles could destabilise them,” he said.

The electricity distribution company sought an agreement that would have made the council liable for the cost of any damages to the power poles.

The council baulked at that idea, choosing to instead look at a new versatile mounting option that would allow it to hang different banners.

“That was also rejected by Powercor,” Cr Schram said.

“Council then decided our next option was to install the new mounting system on the new council-owned light poles which were installed as part of the CBD upgrade.”

But Christmas was here before they knew it, leaving the drawn-out festive fiasco to linger into the New Year.

“Unfortunately council has been unable to confirm in time for this Christmas that the mounting system will work without any impact on the light poles, which we need to do before we commit money to the project,” Cr Schram said.

Cr Schram said there were still reusable seat wraps, window banners and footpath stickers to celebrate Christmas in Colac.

“Apollo Bay also has gold reindeers and wreaths up this year and council plans that Colac will also have new decorations next year.”