Geelong's floating Christmas tree has been towed into position in Corio Bay for its second year, ready to be lit on Friday night. The 25-metre-tall structure features 11,000 reflective discs and will be illuminated until January, synchronized to music via a downloadable app.
Mayor Darryn Lyons defended the tree as a gift to the community, highlighting new features this year including a smoke machine. 'The music sounds fantastic and the light beams illuminate the sky through the smoke machine,' he said.
The ten-tonne tree was initially budgeted at about $1 million over five years for construction, storage, and maintenance. However, in August, the managing company withdrew, citing insufficient funds. The council then opted to manage the tree directly in 2015, a move likely to exceed the original budget.
Some locals and councillors have argued the money could be better spent. Lyons previously claimed the tree generated a $10 million tourism windfall for the city during the 2014-15 Christmas period. The council estimated 30,000 people attended the 2014 lighting ceremony, with over 150,000 visitors during the holiday season.
