Tree cut from Christmas celebrations

It will be a Christmas without a tree after the City of Albany confirmed the Alison Hartman Garden’s Norfolk pine will not feature in this year’s festive celebrations.

Because of safety concerns, the City has opted instead to illuminate York Street and surrounding buildings during Christmas celebrations.

Chief executive Andrew Sharpe said safety regarding decorating the tree had been a concern for several years.

“It is a high-risk operation using a crane so close to a main street and footpath, with some decorations weighing up to 11kg each requiring extra lashing to hang safely,” he said.

“The risk associated with the increasing age of the tree and continuing to hang these heavy decorations on its branches, as well as the safety issues with connecting power to the tree decorations, has also been considered.

“A risk assessment and necessary precautions have always been undertaken when decorating the tree.

“However, it is considered that the safety risk is too great to decorate the tree for Christmas.”

Mr Sharpe said the lack of a Christmas tree would not affect festive decorations.

“We are also exploring new and innovative ways of illuminating York Street and surrounds during the Christmas period that will help create a strong sense of Christmas cheer and festivity in our city centre,” he said.