21 Nov 08 - Christmas Cheer Lights Up CBD

A nine-metre tall contemporary Christmas tree that will be the centrepiece of this year's city centre decorations is being installed on Sunday, November 23.

"This Christmas we want to really try and boost visitor numbers to the city centre by encouraging a quality seasonal look and atmosphere," said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades. "The tree will be a very welcome addition to the festive streetscape and one that will really help draw in the crowds," he said.

The tree was designed by Council engineer Andrew Gray and was built with the expertise of local businesses - Pearce Engineering, Marcia Street Fabricators, The Edge painting, Wardman Electrical and Data and O'Meara Wood Engineers. The original concept was brought forward by the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce, which has also contributed funds to the project.

It will be sited in the middle of the roundabout at Gordon Street and Harbour Drive. It will be nine metres tall with a six metre diameter at its base. Wire cables will create the conical 'tree' shape and they will be dressed with 200 metres of LED rope lights in red and green, plus 250 metres of gold fairy lights. The whole structure will be topped off with a one-metre high gold star.

"The tree is being created around a permanent central pole that is designed to be really versatile," said Simone Howe Council's City Centre Marketing Coordinator. "During the year it will be used to display special banners for festivals or businesses so it will become a feature of the city centre," she said.

Ms Howe hopes that city centre businesses will join in with the Christmas spirit with their own festive decorations. "If shoppers are attracted into the city centre to see the decorations, they will stay to shop or enjoy the cafes - which will mean more income for the retailers - and, if the retailers have a good trade at Christmas, they will have a good Christmas themselves," she said.

The tree lights will be officially switched on by Santa and South Sydney Rabbitohs stars during the festivities to mark the start of the Christmas season, which begin at 6pm on December 4. The tree will remain in place until mid January 2009.