By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong’s festive street decorations have “lost the feel for Christmas”, says councillor John Kelly.
This year, the council will spend nearly $85,000 on Christmas street decorations in Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale.
At last week’s council meeting, Cr Kelly argued that Christmas was sparsely represented. The most notable decorations were giant presents and a reindeer perched on top of Bendigo Bank in Lonsdale Street.
After the meeting, he suggested the return of a symbolic crib and pole decoration.
“At the moment, it looks like we’re not celebrating Christmas.”
Readers on the Journal’s Facebook page agreed.
Brad Woodford wrote that Dandenong, Springvale and Noble Park’s main streets needed to be “livened up with Christmas cheer”.
“I was worried that Dandenong was going to follow in the footsteps of Moreland and Darebin councils in toning down public decorations, so as not to offend Muslims. I’d hate for this to happen.”
Kim Reid stated the lit poles in Lonsdale Street’s median strip should be coloured red and green.
“And why not invest in other cultural celebrations too! Celebrate our diversity!”
Business group manager Paul Kearsley said there would be new plans for 2014, particularly for the Municipal Buiding Project’s open public space expected to be completed early next year.
A council spokeswoman said this year’s decorations were being installed at Palm Plaza, Walker Street and on a retail outlet on the southern end of Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.
There will also be decorations in the civic space, Buckley Street, Noble Park and at Springvale Road and Multicultural Place in Springvale.
What do you think? Should Greater Dandenong spice up its Christmas decorations? Tell us at journal@starnewsgroup.com.au or facebook.com/DandenongJournal.
