Rumour confirmed: Second suburban Christmas lights display pulls the pin

RUMOUR FILE 

A second popular Christmas lights display in suburban Melbourne has been cancelled amid complaints and a “lack of cooperation” from the local council.

The Rumour File confirmed the popular Allumba Drive Christmas lights display in St Helena will not go ahead this year, after 18 years.

It comes just weeks after the iconic Hugo Court Christmas Lights in Narre Warren was also cancelled due to traffic issues.

The organisers of the Allumba Drive event say “pressure from council” in the last few years resulted in the decision.

On the event’s Facebook page, the organisers describe it as one of Melbourne’s “biggest and brightest” displays that has been running since 1999.

The event draws huge crowds, raising more than $18,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation since 1999.

In a statement provided to 3AW Breakfast, an organiser of the Allumba Drive Christmas light display explained why the decision was made.

Putting up the Christmas lights in the easy part – dealing with the council and compliance is the difficult part and we just don’t have the time or the money to do this any longer.

A decision between all parties was made mid this year on the back of the lack of cooperation from (Banyule City Council) that we would not apply and submit an application the a public event for the Christmas period of 2018.

We are tired of the drama this display causes and extremely disappointed that we need to fight for what is right.

You would think that after so many years of putting this display on and becoming such a large annual display bringing the community together we would get more support from the council.

Our decision to not go ahead this year is final and we encourage everyone to continue donating to the Make-A-Wish foundation to assist granting wishes to kids.

Photo: Facebook – Allumba Drive, St Helena Christmas Display