TOWNS across the Shire will be left in the dark this festive season, after vandals destroyed the towns’ Christmas tree lights.
Three years ago, Council purchased Christmas trees to decorate towns across the Shire for the festive season. Mareeba Shire Council was forced to pay almost $10,000 last year to repair the community Christmas trees in Mareeba, Kuranda, Dimbulah, Mt Molloy and Chillagoe after vandals destroyed the lighting on the trees.
Unfortunately the trees were targeted again and Council was left with the damage bill of almost $30,000 for repairs. Today, Council took the heartbreaking decision not to replace the lights on the Christmas trees.
The trees will still be erected in towns across the Shire, but will not be lit for the festive season.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore said it was an unfortunate outcome, but the ongoing cost to repair the trees was an enormous burden on the ratepayer.
“It is a real shame that the actions of a couple of individuals have caused the greater Shire to miss out on seeing their Christmas tree lit up this year in their local communities,” Cr Gilmore said.
“We feel for the children missing out at what is traditionally a magical time of the year for the little ones.
“Council took this decision not to repair the trees at great expense to the ratepayer, when ultimately there is no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again this festive season.”