Sad reason Christmas lights display axed
A local council has been blasted after a popular Christmas lights display in Melbourne’s south has put been put on hold, with residents blaming a lack of government support.
For the last five years, residents at 63 Grange Rd in Sandringham have been bringing in thousands of visitors to see their annual Christmas lights display, decked out with family-friendly festive music, bright colours and themed decorations.
The enormous effort, made possible by Michael Eather, has been in action since the pandemic.
He first created the epic light show for his mother Glennis, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
Since December 2020, Mr Eather and his 40,000 lights have raised more than $70,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and put smiles on kids’ faces in the process.
In order for the light show to go ahead, organisers must obtain an event permit from the Bayside City Council and draft a plan to manage the increased foot and vehicle traffic associated with the festive tradition.
However, the Grange Rd lights display won’t go ahead this year, as “obtaining the necessary permits and traffic management approvals from Bayside Council has proven too challenging”.
Taking to Facebook, the organisers of the annual Christmas lights explained that “despite our best efforts, the council has been unable or unwilling to support measures that could help reduce congestion during peak nights”.
According to the organisers, more than $10,000 – an “overwhelming” financial burden to the family – has been “personally invested” over the last two years to meet the council’s requirements.
“We had been hard at work behind the scenes preparing for another magical season, but without the council’s support — even for basic planning — we’ve had to make the tough decision to take a break for 2024,” the post continued.
Speaking to The Age, Mr Eather explained that Bayside City Council wanted to release a survey to other residents about potentially introducing a “no standing” sign to encourage better foot flow in the street as hundreds of families drive and walk past the elaborately decorated house. According to Mr Eather, the “no standing” sign was “overwhelmingly” supported by neighbours.
However, the council’s survey never went ahead, instead informing the Grange Rd residents they had to access the plans organised by traffic management before it could proceed, a move Mr Eather said was “very backwards”.
One consultant told Mr Eather they “need to know if changed traffic conditions in certain areas are happening or not before we can really proceed and give you a true and accurate traffic map and obviously, our costings associated with it”.
Alternatively, the council suggested Mr Eather pay traffic companies to set up bollards in the area that he said was “just not feasible”, as costs would skyrocket and it would require extra recourses that he didn’t have.
“I’ve been hopeful that the council would step up and try and help us a bit more,” he said.
Bayside City Council director environment, recreation infrastructure Jill Colson told NewsWire the council “very disappointed that the Grange Rd Christmas lights have been cancelled”.
“Council officers have been working with the organisers for several months in order to provide a safe and fun event for the community,” a statement read.
“A traffic management plan is required for events that create high volumes of traffic in residential streets. This year, the organiser also proposed changes to parking restrictions along Grange Rd that required consultation with neighbours. The need for the plan and consultation was communicated to the organisers on multiple occasions over an extended period of time; however, they have chosen not to supply necessary information to allow this to occur.
“Events such as the Grange Rd Christmas lights bring wonderful benefits to our community and council’s role is to ensure they are conducted safely and not impact the amenity of neighbours.
“Council has been supportive of the event over many years and will continue to provide assistance to the organisers where required.”