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The proposal to end the Lake Monger Christmas tree lights was rejected in 2024, according to follow-up reporting by The West Australian. Town of Cambridge councillor Gavin Foley had argued that the display cost ratepayers and harmed the Norfolk pine, but the reported vote did not support his proposal. The sources cited here do not establish whether the lights were installed in later years.
Did councillors vote to end the lights?
No. In October 2024, Cr Gavin Foley proposed discontinuing the display. The West Australian reported on 24 October that councillors rejected the proposal, with no councillor supporting it. Foley’s position was a proposal, not adopted council policy.
Town administration said the lights had been a community-focused initiative since 1995 and that any decision to discontinue them should involve community engagement. The display was reported as part of the Lake Monger Christmas Festival and Carols from 2003.
What did the display cost?
The Town told reporters that decorating the tree in the year before the October 2024 report cost $26,620. At the time, the reported schedule was nightly from 1 December to 6 January, with the lights switched off at midnight. That figure and schedule describe the period reported in 2024; they do not establish current costs or later operating dates.
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Earlier Town of Cambridge council records show that cost and maintenance questions predated Foley’s proposal:
| Record | Amount or detail | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Town council minutes, 2020 | $18,000 annual allocation | Repair, installation and removal, as described in the minutes. |
| Town council minutes, 2020 | About $5,000 | Storm-damage repairs. |
| Town council minutes, 2020 | About $2,000 | Electricity over the five-week display period. |
| Town council minutes, 2020 | $10,000 additional amount | Historical estimate for an LED upgrade; it is not a current quote. |
| Town council minutes, 1997 | $7,179 | Cost recorded for the 1996 Christmas lights. |
These figures come from different years and describe different cost categories, so they should not be added together or treated as a present-day budget. The 1997 minutes also recorded repair costs after white corellas damaged wiring and globes.
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Was the Norfolk pine damaged by the lights?
Foley alleged that the lighting had contributed to the tree’s poor health. In reasoning reported by PerthNow, he said: “Based on information from the town, the very act of putting light strings on a pine tree at Lake Monger has driven that tree into ill health.” That is Foley’s claim, not an independently established finding. The reporting cited here does not include an arborist’s assessment or other independent evidence proving that the lights caused the tree’s condition.
The environmental concern therefore formed part of the case for ending the display, but the available reporting does not establish the extent of ecological harm. It is important to distinguish the allegation from a verified tree-health assessment.
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What were the arguments for keeping or ending the display?
| Option | Considerations reported |
|---|---|
| Continue the annual display | The Town described it as a community-focused tradition residents may value. Installer Michael Algeri called it “a much-loved community project.” Continuing would also mean ongoing costs for installation, maintenance, electricity and removal. |
| Discontinue the display | Foley argued that the spending was irresponsible and that the lights had harmed the pine. The reporting available here does not independently substantiate the tree-health claim. |
| Consider an LED upgrade | Town council materials in 2020 discussed an additional $10,000 estimate for an LED upgrade. This is a historical alternative from that year, not confirmation of a current plan or price. |
Town administration said: “Any decision to discontinue the lights should be subject to community engagement.” That position recognized the potential value residents place on the tradition without resolving the cost or tree-health questions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the lights now?
The confirmed outcome in the available reporting is the 2024 rejection of Foley’s proposal. The reported seasonal schedule and cost refer to the period covered by 2024 news reports; no later installation, schedule, budget or council decision is established by those sources.
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