Dubbo's main street needs a Christmas makeover and there's no better time to do it then the festive season, city councillors say.
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A six-metre tall Christmas tree in Church Street serves as the heart of the town's festive celebrations, but some Dubbo city councillors feel that is not enough.
At Monday night's council meeting, Cr Peter Bartley proposed $5000 be allocated to purchasing new decorations for the community tree as the old ones were "considerably faded".
Although he has the support of fellow councillor and out-going Chamber of Commerce President Tina Reynolds, she said Dubbo had gone "backwards" in its decorating efforts.
The two councillors have now gone public with their ideas for the festive renovation.
The community Christmas tree "gives people hope that there is more to Christmas than just the commercial side of things," Cr Bartley said.
"It brings smiles to people's faces and reminds them that it's a time of enjoyment.
"It is important that we retain a fresh look."
The councillor hopes to be able to purchase new and modern decorations for the Christmas tree with the current ones fading over time.
"The red baubles have now faded to white," he told the council meeting.
"And despite our best efforts to turn them around every year, we're back to the start."
Cr Reynolds supports the decision for new Christmas decorations on the tree, but would like to see more of the city embellished.
"I believe we need to brighten the whole main street up again, put lights in the trees and ornaments on the buildings," she said.
"We could be using the light posts and flag polls to hang banners, not just during the Christmas season but all year round."
The councillor said she would like to see a new element added to the community decorations every year.
"It would be fantastic to see if we can add one small thing each year and build upon that," she said.
"The first year we had the tree, decorations and then the lights. This year's investment was the new picket fence around the tree."
Cr Reynolds also said in previous years Victoria Park had housed a manger, which was used in Christmas celebrations.
Yesterday director of community services David Dwyer confirmed council was looking at including funding for new decorations and a nativity scene in the 2009 budget.
emma.mastronardi@ruralpress.com
