Protect Your Holiday Joy! Discover How a Local Councillor Might Crush Perth's Cherished Christmas Tradition!

As the festive season approaches, the streets of Perth usually twinkle with the warm glow of Christmas lights, a tradition that brings joy and a sense of community to the residents. However, this year, the beloved custom faces an unexpected challenge that could dim the holiday spirit.

Town of Cambridge Councillor Gavin Foley has recently sparked controversy by proposing a motion to halt the annual Christmas light display, raising concerns about environmental impact and financial expenditure. The councillor's environmental argument points to the energy consumption of the lights, which he claims contributes to the problem of fossil fuel use.



'Anybody that puts multiple coloured lights on a tree and plugs it into the power at home, that's fossil-fuelled, is adding to the problem,' Foley stated, highlighting the need for more sustainable practices.


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Perth's Christmas tree at Lake Monger Drive is facing an uncertain future. Credit: Town of Cambridge Council


In addition to environmental concerns, Foley also questioned the financial wisdom of the tradition, noting that the nearly $27,000 spent on the decorations could be redirected to other community needs.



The Christmas tree in question has not been spared from the debate, having suffered damage due to the festive adornments. As a result, the council has decided to use an alternative tree this December. With the fate of this year's Christmas light display hanging in the balance, a crucial vote was set to take place on October 22.

The situation in Perth serves as a microcosm of a larger conversation about tradition versus sustainability. While the councillor's concerns are valid in an age where environmental consciousness is more important than ever, many residents feel that the Christmas lights are an integral part of the holiday experience, fostering goodwill and bringing people together.

It's a delicate balance between preserving cherished customs and adapting to the pressing needs of our planet. As we move forward, communities will need to find innovative ways to maintain their traditions in an eco-friendly manner. This could include using LED lights, which consume less energy, or even exploring solar-powered options.



The debate also opens up a discussion about the allocation of public funds. Should tradition take precedence over other community projects, or is it time to reassess our priorities in light of economic and environmental challenges?

As seniors who have witnessed many a holiday season, we understand the importance of traditions in maintaining the cultural fabric of our society. Yet, we also recognise the need to be stewards of the environment for future generations. It's a tough call, and one that requires thoughtful consideration from all sides.

Key Takeaways

  • A local councillor in the Town of Cambridge, Gavin Foley, has proposed a motion to discontinue a beloved Christmas lights tradition due to environmental concerns and energy consumption.
  • Foley remarked on the detrimental impact of using fossil fuels to power the festive lights, suggesting that it contributes to environmental issues.
  • The councilor also highlighted the financial cost of the decorations, questioning the nearly $27,000 expense and its opportunity cost.
  • The council was set to vote on the motion on October 22, with the potential for changing a long-standing festive custom in Perth.

We invite you, our dear readers, to share your thoughts on this matter. How do you feel about the potential cancellation of Perth's Christmas light tradition? Do you have suggestions for making holiday celebrations more sustainable? Let's have a conversation in the comments below and perhaps together, we can find a solution that keeps the holiday cheer alive without compromising our environmental responsibilities.
 
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That would be close to the most stupid question I have ever heard.
Anyone with any intelligence knows the answer to that.
I wasn't questioning your intelligence, it was your compassion that I found doubtful.

I have a huge amount of compassion for those in desperate need and I volunteer for many organisations but as I said if you cannot afford to feed yourself you can definitely not afford to have a pet.
Well good for you doing your bit.

But I wonder, based on your previous comments:
Do you refuse help to those needy people who arrive with a pet?
The first things struggling families do (with a lot of heart ache) is get rid of the pets.
Of course 'families' prioritise their human children over their pets.

But, once again it was your compassion in question, not theirs.

In the context of my remarks, someone as intelligent as you, would certainly have noticed that I was talking about having compassion single people.

Some people do believe homeless single parents should put up their children for adoption.
 
If you cannot afford to support yourself then you have no right to own a pet and then ask others to support you!
Do you “depend” on a pension to pay your bills and put food on your table Bruce which is taxpayers money “supporting”you if so then you have no right to hang it on these people.🙁
 
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Do you “depend” on a pension to pay your bills and put food on your table Bruce which is taxpayers money “supporting”you if so then you have no right to hang it on these people.🙁
Yes I receive a small pension, which by the way is not “taxpayers” money,
It is a small refund of the many thousands of dollars I paid in taxes over my 55 year working life.
I would hazard a guess, “Littleboy8”, that you have not and probably will not contribute the millions of $$ I paid in taxes owning a business for 30 years and paying tax on everything I purchased and sold , tax on wages ect and then if I dared make a profit I was taxed on that.
With your opinion of a pension being taxpayers money then I hope when it comes to your time that you refuse to accept the pension.
 
Yes I receive a small pension, which by the way is not “taxpayers” money,
it is a small refund of the many thousands of dollars I paid in taxes over my 55 year working life .
I would hazard a guess, “Littleboy8”, that you have not and probably will not contribute the millions of $$ I paid in taxes owning a business for 30 years and paying tax on everything i purchased and sold ,tax on wages ect and then if I dared make a profit I was taxed on that.
With you opinion of a pension being taxpayers money then I when it comes to your time that you refuse to accept the pension.
For your information I owned a business in tasmania for over 20 years and also have worked since I was fourteen. But the thing is stop picking on people just because they have a pet and are homeless don’t be nasty.
Enjoy your Christmas Bruce because there’s a lot of people who won’t be.🎅
 
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For your information I owned a business in tasmania for over 20 years and also have worked since I was fourteen. But the thing is stop picking on people just because they have a pet and are homeless don’t be nasty.
Enjoy your Christmas Bruce because there’s a lot of people who won’t be.🎅
So how come your pension statement came into the discussion.
And just so you know, I will donate and help as many needy people as I can afford to, and I do on a daily basis, but I will not give to someone who says they are desperate but can afford to or rely on others to feed their pet.
 
Just another Climate Change, Greenie moron attempting to force his beliefs on everyone else!
Christmas traditions in Australia have already been eroded by all the immigrants that come here for a better way of life then complain about our traditions and way of life .
These clowns are destroying Australia!
Another greenie idiot.
 

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Oh dear me another Woke council just like mine Merri bek! It annoys me because slowly but surely our culture, traditions and heritage is being eroded by these pathetic people. Our local shopping centre has two pathetic plastic sort of Christmas supposedly tree!
What makes you think that they will stop non Judeo-Christian celebrations?

Have you ever heard anyone Woke sugest stopping celebrations of any other religion, gender diverse, non white European, or non Democratic culture group?

But I certainly agree with everything else that you said.

Primary schools up until the last 5 years or so have always had Xmas concerts singing carols.
my Afghan neighbour who does not celebrate Xmas told me he hates the way the schools have changed that tradition to appease the woke. They always made sure they and their children (even though their kids did not participate) attended to share in our “culture”.. Now they don’t bother.
How many woke councils are not putting up Christmas decorations in the streets nowadays?
Happy for you to live your happy little protected life.
Interesting to know what your nationality is but I guess you won’t be truthful about that.
I am a proud born and bred Aussie 72 years ago When we didn’t have all these different nationalities coming onto our country trying to change our way of life to theirs.
The Italians came to Australia and integrated into our society without trying to turn Australia into another Italy!
Please guys stop using that ridiculous word "woke".
It doesn't make you look cool, in fact it's the opposite, it makes you look like you're wanting to be in your late teens to mid twenties.
You are intelligent people, but using that word makes you look/sound silly!
 

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