Colac Otway explains lack of Christmas decorations in Colac

COLAC Otway Shire residents can enjoy Christmas decorations this year in Apollo Bay but not in Colac, with banner connections being blamed for their absence.

Shire mayor Jason Schram said he was disappointed Colac could not have festive decorations hanging from poles this year but the council was working to resolve issues well before next Christmas.

“There was an issue with the old decorations that Council had put up each year because Powercor were worried that decorations hanging on their power poles could destabilise them.

“Powercor wanted Council to enter into an agreement that if the decorations affected the power poles, Council would be liable for the cost but with no indication of what that cost could be.

“We decided to look at a new versatile mounting option that would allow us to hang different banners depending on what event we wanted to promote, including Christmas banners in December, but that was also rejected by Powercor.

“Council then decided our next option was to install the new mounting system on the new Council-owned light poles which were installed as part of the CBD upgrade.

“Unfortunately Council has been unable to confirm in time for this Christmas that the mounting system will work without any impact on the light poles, which we need to do before we commit money to the project.”

He said there had also been much work done by the council and local communities in the lead-up to December on decorations for shops across the shire, including designing and creating reusable seat wraps, window banners and footpath stickers.

“Council provided the free Christmas promotion packages to about 90 businesses across Colac, Apollo Bay, Forrest, Gellibrand, Skenes Creek, Beeac, Barongarook, Cororooke, Lavers Hill and Pirron Yallock.

“I’d also encourage anyone under 18 to look for a ‘lucky star’ in a different shop in Apollo Bay and Colac each week leading up to Christmas.

“There’s $50 to win each week in both Colac and Apollo Bay and kids can enter online at surveymonkey.com/r/2018LuckyStar after they find the star hidden in a shop.

“Apollo Bay also has gold reindeers and wreaths up this year and Council plans that Colac will also have new decorations next year.”