A $25,000 Christmas tree towering 7.4m over the Queenstown
Village Green is scheduled to be installed by the Queenstown
Lakes District Council today.
The council announced yesterday that as a result of
negotiations, the cost of the tree would be spread over two
years, the price of freight had been halved and the company
supplying the tree would provide free installation.
Arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said the tree was in
response to the many emails and calls the council had
received complaining it did not get into the spirit of
Christmas.
"Having thoroughly looked into it, in terms of duration and
lifespan this is one of the best-value-for-money purchases
that you can make in the decoration scheme of things," Mrs
Maxwell said.
The council had asked Queenstown police and business
operators surrounding the village green to keep an eye on the
new festive landmark, she said.
"We hope visitors respect it as much as the community will."
The tree will match the decorations along Shotover St and was
expected to have a lifespan of more than 10 years.
A carol service will be held around the new tree, on a date
yet to be confirmed.
"All going well, the tree will hopefully move to Wanaka next
year with another proposal, a gifted tree, to be installed at
Queenstown," Mrs Maxwell said.
Arrowtown will have the wreaths installed this week and a
tree installed next week in its village green, covered in
gold decorations.
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