By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Tourists will flock to Geelong to see its carbon fibre and aluminium floating Christmas tree, according to Mayor Darryn Lyons.
“When I saw it, the design of the Christmas tree sent a chill up and down my spine,” Cr Lyons said.
“Tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands will come and look at it.”
Cr Lyons said the nine-storey construction had been wrongly reported as costing $1 million.
“It’s about $320,000 and we’ll be using it over five and up to 10 years and it’s being built in Geelong.
“At night the tree will feature a light show that will incorporate both internal and external lighting elements. The light show will be reflected in the water.
“The Christmas tree will add fun and glamour to our city but at the same time it is a part of a very deliberate strategy to support our local tourism and retail sectors.”
Council announced this week that Melbourne-based Creative Production Services had begun working on the tree.
The company has previously supplied custom productions for Federation Square, Crown Casino, Chadstone, Eureka Skydeck and Melbourne Arts Centre.
Cr Lyons said the tree was part of a Light and Decorate Geelong project to enchance key trading precincts.
“By installing high quality and exciting lighting and decorative elements in key parts of the city we’ll create an environment that makes Geelong more appealing for people of all ages and encourage them to stay in the city after dark.
“The Light and Decorate program will support shops, cafes and restaurants that are reliant on active streets to remain viable and will be rolled out across the greater Geelong area.”
Cr Lyons said the project would operate year around, with additional elements for Christmas and special events.
A suspended wire structure at the intersection of Malop and Moorabool Streets would support a permanent lighting display, he said.
Priority lighting locations would include central Geelong, Ocean Grove, Portarlington, St Leonards, Highton, Corio, Geelong West, Newtown, Belmont and Lara.
Cr Lyons said Civic Centre and Busport car parks would become bases for lighting projections onto the facades of major buildings in central Geelong.
“Lighting projections are a key part of Light and Decorate Geelong project and will give us great flexibility in celebrating special events during the year.”
