By DAVID SCHOUT
IF you’ve driven along Lonsdale Street this month and noticed fewer Christmas decorations, there’s a reason why.
This year, unlike other years, Greater Dandenong Council has been in charge of all decorations in the city’s main street.
Previously, the council would provide the Dandenong Retail Traders Association with a grant to help decorate the area.
DRTA president Glenys Cooper said she too had noticed a lack of decorations.
“It does feel less Christmassy than previous years,” she said.
“From my memory they used to put more thought into how the street looks at this time of the year.
“The retail traders association was given a grant to put out Santa decorations and reward other shops for the best-decorated shop front. That was taken away this year.”
Ms Cooper said she was not entirely clear on why the grant was taken away, although it had to do with the “consistency of the council’s economic plan”.
The council budgeted $81,955 for Christmas decorations this year.
The main purchase was new decorations for the Drum Theatre, five additional Christmas trees for Multicultural Place and the refurbishment of Santa decorations.
Most of the council Christmas budget is allocated to installation, dismantling, storage and insurance.
Ms Cooper said it was up to Dandenong’s traders to up the ante.
“I would encourage all retailers to get on board and take ownership of their shops this Christmas,” she said.
