Council lights up Christmas trees
Council lights up Christmas trees
Wednesday December 3 2014, 8:30am
The first flashes of Council’s five-year plan to reinvigorate the Douglas Shire for the festive season came to life last night as community Christmas trees in Mossman and Port Douglas were switched on.
More than 2500 solar-powered fairy lights and 40 super-sized decorations adorn each of the massive pine trees - one in Anzac Park in Port Douglas and the other next to the post office in Front St, Mossman.
Council will also this week unfurl a new street banner across Port Douglas Rd for the festive season which features cassowaries getting into the Christmas spirit.
Mayor Julia Leu said Council intends to focus on particular decorative elements each year over the next five years to establish the Douglas Shire as a great place to celebrate Christmas for locals and visitors.
“As a Council we’re all about being sustainable and that’s why we’ve chosen to invest in solar lighting and build up our Christmas decorations over five years,” Mayor Leu said.
“It’s been many years since we’ve had a traditional community Christmas tree in Port Douglas and Mossman so I’m delighted we have focused on that to help celebrate our first year as a new Council.”
Mayor Leu said switching on the Christmas lights was thanks to the joint efforts of several Council departments and the generosity and ingenuity of local businesses which have helped with preparations.
“Staff from our CEO Unit, the Mossman Depot, the Port Douglas Depot, Open Spaces, Building Services and Work Health & Safety have been involved in this project in recent months,” Mayor Leu said.
“Gavin and Alice Kelly from Kelly’s Crane Hire very generously provided their crane to assist which we are very grateful for, it shows great community spirit.
“Rick and Jimmy Wonga Beach Welding and Brian from Markham’s Timber have also put their thinking caps on to help us put up the lights safely.
“It’s been a real community effort and I hope it helps the community get into the festive spirit.”
Council has also provided $5000 in funding and $2500 in-kind support to the Douglas Shire Community Services Association to host the free Community Christmas in the Park in George Davis Park in Mossman on this Saturday, December 6, from 9am to noon.
Free activities at Christmas in the Park include a jumping castle, horse rides, a super water slide and face painting with special appearances by Queen Elsa and of course Santa Claus.