BlinkVlog

ANOTHER day, another Victorian council cash grab getting in the way of locals sharing their Christmas spirit.

Earlier this week we learned that Casey Council, southeast of Melbourne, had classified a popular lights display an “event” because it was attracting so many people to the region.

The new classification meant residents of Hugo Court at Narre Warren were asked to fork out tens of thousands of dollars to cover public liability insurance and traffic management costs.

Organisers said that the pressure from council — and the issues crowds were causing for neighbouring streets — meant the event would not go on this year.

Today, another council has forced the closure of another Christmas lights display. The people of St Helena, 21kms northeast of Melbourne, have been welcoming guests to Allumba Drive every year since 1999.

They have raised $18,000 for charity over the years, but Banyule City Council this year classified the display and “event”.

On the group’s Facebook page, organisers said they were “sad that it has come to this” but their “hands are tied”.

“Sadly, today we are writing to you to advise that this year the Allumba Drive Christmas Light Display will not be going ahead,” organisers wrote yesterday.

“Most of you are aware we have had to fight hard over the last few years for our lights to go ahead, with our sole intention being to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation and put smiles on the faces of families at a happy time of year.

“Due to the large amount of attendees we now have at our lights display, we are now considered a public “event” and the costs involved for licences and public liability are costing us thousands each year not to mention the logistics involved in order to comply.

“So, after 18 years of Christmas light displays, raising over $18,000, thousands of people supporting us and in attendance over the years, hours and hours in correspondence with council to fight for the go ahead and the money we have outlaid to make it happen, we have decided to take a break and spend the lead up to Christmas with our loved ones.”

Organisers at Narre Warren shared a similar message after Casey Council’s decision earlier this week.

Residents said the costs for traffic management would be close to $23,000 alone, but stressed the financial burden was not the only reason the event would not go on this year.

“I have some sad news. Due to the huge support we have had the last few years with thousands of people coming to check out our Christmas Court we now have now got too big,” organisers wrote.

“Due to the number of visitors we are getting we are now classed as an event and to run an event we must supply traffic management and public liability insurance which is in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“For us to pay these costs it is no longer fun so unfortunately Hugo Court Christmas Lights is no longer. There will be no lights this year at all.

“I do need to make it clear though that it is not just a monetary reason for the lights not being on this year. To organise everything that we now have to do as an event is very time-consuming; we would have to basically form a committee, creating an official group to be able to apply for the insurance and to handle the money side of things.

“We are all extremely busy and just don’t have the time to organise all of the requirements.”

They said the lights display had become a burden for neighbours in surrounding streets, too.

“They have to put up with not being able to get into their properties, noise, rubbish, people parking on their lawns, even people urinating on their front lawns.

“We all love the lights and the Christmas spirit but it has just got too big for us to handle.”

Supporters had offered to help pay the costs, but residents refused to allow donations.

Social media users were clearly disappointed. Sharyn King wrote on the group’s Facebook page that the pressure from council to force residents to pay was “absolutely bullshit”.

“Every home is able to celebrate Xmas if they so want. If there are loads of people looking at your homes why is that expense yours?”

In a statement, Casey Council said the residents of Hugo Court had “made the decision not to conduct their much-loved annual Christmas lights display this year.

“Sadly it appears it has become a victim of its own success, following concerns around traffic management and anti-social behaviour over the past few years, including from Victoria Police.”

What do you think: Should residents be asked to pay for the traffic their lights display brings to the area? Email rohan.smith1@news.com.au or write to me on Twitter: @ro_smith

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