Could Mandurah be the capital of Christmas?
It’s one idea the City’s mayor Rhys Williams discussed at a council meeting on January 30.
Each year from November to January, Mandurah is a buzz with Christmas lights, from units in it’s inner-suburbs to its large, renowned canal homes.
And if you’re not bedazzling your front porch, you’re more than likely joining the thousands of people seeking out the best Christmas light displays around the suburbs.
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According to city councillors the idea could benefit the region economically.
Coming off the back of the busy Christmas period the idea could see a boom in visitor numbers across the region during the festive season.
With a rise in visitor expenditure on accommodation, canal boat hiring or touring and Christmas-themed events, Mr Williams said he saw significant tourism potential in the well-loved tradition.
The discussion was sparked by town ward councillor Peter Rogers, who gave notice to ask two questions at the meeting.
Mr Rogers posed a question to officers as to whether financial incentives were offered to canal residents who participated it the annual Christmas tradition.
He noted it would be an expensive event for individuals to partake in although it clearly had strong economic benefits for the broader community.
Chief executive officer Mark Newman replied that the local government provided a $500 prize to the winner of their Christmas lights competition each year.
He said that a report regarding Mandurah’s Christmas lights would be presented to council in February and promised plenty in store for people interested in the topic.
One house that feels the burn of their electricity bill during the festive season is owners of the infamous Meadow Springs Drive Christmas house, which opens its doors to thousands of people each year.
Owner Mary Kartesz-Wardroper and her husband Alan decorate the home, inside and out, with a the range of festive displays and urge visitors to leave a donation to K9 Rescue Group.
However the duo said hosting the Christmas icon had a toil on their finances, with their electricity bill tripling during the festive season.
This year the couple were also lucky enough to win a $2000 grant to help pay for their bill, through Synergy’s Christmas competition.
While the couple said financial assistance would be much appreciated, they said regardless they’d still host the festive feature.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Mr Roger also asked if anymore feature Christmas trees would be added to the artificial icons that float in Mandjar Bay every December.
Mr Newman said, at this stage, there was no intention to add anymore to the current number of seven.
The next Committee of Council meeting will be held on February 13 and Ordinary Council meeting will fall on February 27.
