City revamps festive lights and displays

A major revamp of the City’s Christmas festival lights and displays is being rolled out.

Festive lighting based off outdated technology has been replaced with modern LED lights, improving the safety of the installations and adding to the colours and vibrancy of the designs.

Mayor Tom Tate unveiled one of the new attractions, a 10 metre tree at HOTA (Home of the Arts).

“It’s huge and will showcase the entry to HOTA here at Bundall Road. The lighting is the latest LED technology and will greet the thousands of locals and visitors to our arts precinct,’’ he said.

The tree features 3000 LED lights plus 200 baubles and will be in place from today until 9 January. It is the only one of its kind in Queensland.

Mayor Tate encouraged every Gold Coaster to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

“Our annual Mayor’s Christmas Carols presented by Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast is this Saturday at Broadwater Parklands,’’ he said.

“Decorations are going up at our libraries, parks and beaches with more in coming weeks. Other locations include Labrador, Mudgeeraba, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Broadwater Parklands and Palm Beach.’’

Residents can donate to the 2018 Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. To find out what gifts are appropriate, go to: cityofgoldcoast.com.au.

Mayor Tate has announced local charity and support groups Friends With Dignity, and Paradise Kids, as beneficiaries of the 2018 appeal.

Friends With Dignity Chief Operating Officer Zoe Scharenguivel said the national, Gold Coast-based charity provided support to domestic and family violence victims. 

“Often, victims leave with nothing and need basic household items to get back on their feet,’’ she said.

“Friends With Dignity helps raise awareness and provides support to victims at the lowest points of their lives. The charity is a 100 percent self-funded, volunteer driven model and is reliant on both financial donations and new and pre-loved items  – things like whitegoods, furniture and household items used to transform empty spaces into welcoming homes for men, women and children needing to start a new life.”

Key links:

Link to time lapse footage https://www.dropbox.com/sh/da2wshblzan3jwb/AACxnf9qRePp1CNkNB1NuvWsa?dl=0

Christmas Carols – cityofgoldcoast.com.au/mayorscarols

Friends With Dignity – friendswithdignity.org.au

Paradise Kids – paradisekids.org.au

Christmas Lights Competition – cityofgoldcoast.com.au/christmaslights