Published Thursday, 16 October, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Christmas cheer gets go ahead on Gold Coast
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has guaranteed that Gold Coast highways can be adorned with Christmas decorations this year.
“Main Roads is not banning Christmas decorations on the Gold Coast,” Mr Pitt said.
“I think this issue may have come about from a misunderstanding by council, councillors or the local media.
“There is no change to Main Roads’ position on Christmas decorations. The same guidelines as previous years still apply.
“I give a guarantee to Mayor Ron Clarke and Gold Coast residents that they can still hang their Christmas decorations as they have always done before.”
Mr Pitt said the misunderstanding may have come about from a misinterpretation of Main Roads’ review of commercial advertising spaces around the state, including advertisements hung from street light poles.
Member for Mudgeeraba Dianne Reilly said Christmas decorations were not advertising and would not be affected by this review.
“There is absolutely no plan to ban Christmas decorations,” Ms Reilly said.
"Main Roads sent a letter to the Mayor's office this morning to clarify the issue.
“In a meeting between Gold Coast City Councillors and State Government MPs that I attended this morning, the letter was read out and the matter cleared up.
"Christmas decorations on the Gold Coast can go up as planned.
“When Gold Coast City Council submit their application – and they only need to submit one to cover all their Christmas decoration plans – I have been assured Main Roads will review it in the true spirit of Christmas.
“We all know how the Gold Coast loves to celebrate."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Dianne Reilly’s Office 5569 0482
“Main Roads is not banning Christmas decorations on the Gold Coast,” Mr Pitt said.
“I think this issue may have come about from a misunderstanding by council, councillors or the local media.
“There is no change to Main Roads’ position on Christmas decorations. The same guidelines as previous years still apply.
“I give a guarantee to Mayor Ron Clarke and Gold Coast residents that they can still hang their Christmas decorations as they have always done before.”
Mr Pitt said the misunderstanding may have come about from a misinterpretation of Main Roads’ review of commercial advertising spaces around the state, including advertisements hung from street light poles.
Member for Mudgeeraba Dianne Reilly said Christmas decorations were not advertising and would not be affected by this review.
“There is absolutely no plan to ban Christmas decorations,” Ms Reilly said.
"Main Roads sent a letter to the Mayor's office this morning to clarify the issue.
“In a meeting between Gold Coast City Councillors and State Government MPs that I attended this morning, the letter was read out and the matter cleared up.
"Christmas decorations on the Gold Coast can go up as planned.
“When Gold Coast City Council submit their application – and they only need to submit one to cover all their Christmas decoration plans – I have been assured Main Roads will review it in the true spirit of Christmas.
“We all know how the Gold Coast loves to celebrate."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Dianne Reilly’s Office 5569 0482