End of an era as council abandons Christmas decoration contest for MidCoast businesses
The competition has been cancelled in a cost-cutting measure, but how much will be saved?
Ellie Chamberlain
July 04, 2025
The magic of Christmas will be a little dimmer this year on the MidCoast after the council canceled its annual Christmas decoration competition in a cost-cutting measure aiming to ease pressure on the budget.
The decision was made at the June 30 council meeting following a report presented at the February meeting that outlined the range of festive activities undertaken by council – and a recommendation that some be axed.
While the Christmas competition is no-more, the annual New Year's Eve celebration will remain bright, with a council-funded fireworks night in Forster-Tuncurry surviving the chopping block despite being the more costly expenditure.
What was the cost of the Shopfront Window Christmas Display Competition?
The Christmas display competition was introduced in 2022 for the CBD businesses across the region as an incentive for stores to ignite the holiday spirit with a lower-cost alternative for council that, in the past, spent $25,000 installing Christmas lights in eight locations across 10,000 square kilometres from Tea Gardens to Harrington.
The “Ignite the Spirit Christmas Competition” encouraged local businesses to enter and decorate their shop fronts with a chance to win prizes.
In 2022 and 2023, Council provided #ShopMidCoast gift cards as prizes. The gift cards keep money spent within the MidCoast region – they are purchased in the area and can only be redeemed at participating local stores.
Last year, the prizes were products or experience vouchers donated by local businesses.
The cost of prizes totalled $1,500 and the funds were sourced from the existing Vibrant Spaces budget. A review found the competition attracted minimal interest as demonstrated by the decrease in number of entries from 30 in 2023 to 18 in 2024.
“It hasn’t attracted much interest so we felt comfortable pulling the little amount of money we put towards it,” Mayor Claire Pontin told the Mid North Coaster.
Previously, Christmas banner poles were installed in Forster, Tuncurry, Taree and Gloucester. In 2022, council purchased banners promoting a “Shop Local this Christmas” campaign. The same banners were used in 2023 with some banners requiring replacing.
In 2024, the existing banners were used and – due to exposure to the elements – had reached the end of their useful life.
Traditionally, the cost of banners has been covered by grants and the existing Economic Development budget. Currently, there is no specified budget for the ongoing purchase, installation and removal of banners, nor for replacement of banner pole infrastructure.
Council reported a full set of banners for all locations is approximately $3,500. Installation costs are an additional $1200. Banner pole infrastructure requires ad hoc replacement on a regular basis and costs approximately $250 per annum, as required.
NYE Fireworks night run by council due to no other business willing to take over
Council did make an attempt to hand the NYE fireworks event over to a different local organiser last year, advertising for Expressions of Interest. Only one incomplete response was submitted, so the council will continue to be responsible for organising and managing the fireworks display in Forster-Tuncurry.
Council has a five-year contract in place with the Combined Services Clubs of Taree to support their delivering of the fireworks in Taree. 2024 was the first year of the contract.
The operating budget for New Year’s Eve fireworks is covered by an existing annual budget of $55,000, including the contracted support for the Taree fireworks and the delivery of the Forster-Tuncurry fireworks.
Due to there being no organisations willing to host the fireworks, and, given the reputational risk to council if there is no fireworks display, council has decided to continue to host the event into the future.
📸 Winner of the 2024 “Ignite the Spirit Christmas Competition” Releve Dance Collective shopfront display. Image MidCoast Council Facebook page.