This Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Glenelg Shire Council is ushering in a new era of community celebration by reimagining its approach.
While the old favourites remain – New Year’s Eve fireworks and a range of activities throughout December supporting both families and businesses – council has also been mindful of budgetary constraints.
Like many other councils across Victoria, Glenelg Shire has had to consider the long-term sustainability of Christmas and New Year’s Eve spending, striking a balance between providing community events and entertainment, supporting local businesses and ensuring best value for money.
After a comprehensive review of its traditional Christmas and New Year Eve’s events, in response to community feedback and the ongoing challenges posed by budget deficits and financial pressures on households and businesses, it was decided to realign the celebrations to ensure both council’s overarching objectives were met while using ratepayer funds efficiently.
The review found an unsustainable increase in costs largely driven by a $30,000 expense in lighting and decorating the Norfolk Island Christmas Tree on Bentinck St, well over half the total cost for Christmas celebrations throughout the Shire of $54,000.
Factors contributing to the cost increase include infrastructure expenses, crane hire, traffic management and labour.
In 2022 the New Year’s Eve fireworks and event accounted for about $69,000 of council spending and the council has found this is expected to exceed $100,000 in 2023 if no changes are made, due to industry-related increases in areas such as fireworks, traffic management and infrastructure.
The council has decided that this year the Norfolk Island tree will not be lit and decorated by council, with council committed to encouraging greater participation and community spending throughout December by instead hosting a variety of family-friendly events across a four-week period of the festive season, as opposed to one large event.
This strategy aims to enhance the local atmosphere for both residents and tourists and will feature live music pop-up events featuring Santa every Saturday, Christmas Crafts and family movie sessions whilst supporting local businesses through the beloved Retail Light Display competition.
Additionally, council will also be making its annual contribution to the ever-popular Carols by Candlelight event run by the Portland Ministers Association.
Another significant change being explored is the potential outsourcing of Christmas decorations coordination in Portland to a community organisation, following the successful model established in Heywood and Casterton, where once again this year council will provide local community groups with $6000 for the respective annual events in those towns.
For New Year’s Eve, council is placing a renewed focus on ensuring maximum value for ratepayers by removing the standalone Portland event and focusing on a range of events shire-wide.
New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations will continue on the Portland waterfront, featuring displays at 10pm and midnight and again community groups in Casterton and Heywood will also be provided $4000 funding for fireworks displays there.
Chief executive Paul Phelan said the proposed changes to Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations would ensure a sustainable use of the budget, fostering business and community capacity and returning economic benefits to businesses and organisations within the Shire.
“Council was committed to ensuring that Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations continue to be a source of joy and pride for the Glenelg Shire community,” he said.
“Investing in an equitable outcome across the shire, whilst reducing financial pressure on households and businesses are key drivers of Glenelg Shire Council’s reimagined plan for festive celebrations.
“The New Year’s Eve initiative reflects our commitment to inclusivity, encouraging residents, community organisations and local businesses to design and host their own events.
“Through this program we will provide funding, support and resources to ensure that a wide variety of celebrations can take place.
“Through more events across the shire, we reduce the safety risks posed to our community, remove the infrastructure allocations and support a diverse range of activities, encouraging innovative and inclusive family-friendly events.”
