A Greens councillor has criticised the huge costs of hosting Christmas celebrations and their damaging effects on the environment.
Rafaela Pandolfini said some of the funds set aside for her council’s annual Christmas events in Sydney’s east should be used to create a multicultural festival.
The cost of displaying Christmas trees, lights and wreaths cost Randwick Council $524,725 this year, Daily telegram reported.
Cr Pandolfini has called for $300,000 from the Christmas budget to be spent on setting up an event that can be attended by residents of different faiths.
“Half a million is an astronomical amount of money to spend on decorations and wreaths when not everyone celebrates Christmas,” councillor Pandolfini told the newspaper.
‘And it also has a negative impact on the environment, because Christmas decorations are put up for a few weeks and then taken down again.’
Cr Pandolfini told Daily Mail Australia she never suggested the council should ban the annual festivities.
“What is there to understand?” she said.
Randwick Greens Councillor Rafaela Pandolfini (pictured) said some of the funding for the council’s annual Christmas events should be used to create a multicultural festival
“It is money that does not need to be spent, given the high cost of living and businesses struggling to make ends meet.”
The council organises the popular Coogee Carols and Coogee Fireworks Show, one of Sydney’s largest Christmas events.
The cost of hosting Christmas events in the Randwick LGA has increased significantly this year, compared to the $135,000 set aside for festivities in 2023.
In addition, $128,000 will go toward a Christmas party for the mayor.
In addition, $128,125 has been set aside for a council-sponsored Christmas party hosted by Mayor Philipa Veitch to thank community members for their contributions.
In addition, another $61,500 has been allocated to fund Christmas concerts for local residents.
Ms Pandolfini said the money did not need to be spent due to the ongoing cost of living that is hitting families and businesses. Pictured are celebratory revellers on Coogee Beach
Liberal councillor Daniel Rosenfeld is against cuts to the Christmas budget.
“I think this year it is especially good to have some Christmas spirit and celebration because a lot of people are struggling because of the cost of living crisis,” he said.
A Randwick City Council spokesperson said the increase in funding will allow for more Christmas events to be hosted in the local government area.
The spokesperson said the decorations and festivities will be bigger and better this year.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the council for further comment.
The cost of displaying Christmas trees, lights and wreaths as part of this year’s festivities will cost the council more than $500,000 (stock image)