A Green Party councillor has criticised the huge cost of celebrating the Christmas holidays and their damaging impact 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 will cost Randwick council $524,725 this year, Daily Telegraph reported.
Cr Pandolfini has called for $300,000 of the Christmas budget to be allocated to organising an event that could be attended by locals of different faiths.
“Half a million is an astronomical amount of money to spend on decorations and wreaths when not everyone recognises or celebrates Christmas,” Cr Pandolfini told the paper.
‘There is also a cost to the environment because Christmas decorations are put up and taken down over a couple of weeks.’
Cr Pandolfini told Daily Mail Australia he had never suggested the council should ban the annual celebrations.
“What is there to understand?” he said.
Randwick Greens councillor Rafaela Pandolfini (pictured) said part of the funding for the council’s annual Christmas events should be used to create a multicultural festival.
“It’s money that doesn’t need to be spent given the cost of living and businesses struggling to get by.”
The council organises the popular Coogee Carols and Coogee Fireworks, one of Sydney’s largest Christmas events.
The cost of hosting Christmas events at the Randwick LGA has increased significantly this year, compared to the $135,000 allocated for festivities in 2023.
An additional $128,000 will also be allocated to the mayor’s Christmas party.
An additional $128,125 has also been allocated for a council-organized holiday party hosted by Mayor Philipa Veitch to thank community members for their contributions.
An additional $61,500 has also been allocated to fund Christmas concerts for locals.
Ms Pandolfini said there was no need to spend the money given the current cost of living crisis affecting families and businesses. Pictured: People celebrating at Coogee Beach
Liberal councillor Daniel Rosenfeld does not support any cuts to the Christmas budget.
“I think this year especially it will be nice to have some Christmas cheer and celebration because a lot of people are having a hard time with the cost of living crisis,” she said.
A Randwick Council spokesperson said the increased funding will allow more Christmas events to be organised across the local government area.
The spokesman said this year’s decorations and festivities will be bigger and better.
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 (file image)