This is it. The extent of Lane Cove's Christmas decorations. The same every year. One grotty tree with the same decorations that have been used for years, a butchers with an inflatable Santa Claus stuck on the awning, and a canopy in the plaza again decorated with the same holly that has been used year-in-year-out.Lane Cove is supposed to be an affluent suburb, the shops here charge far more than most suburbs, we have some of the most expensive houses - and this is what we get for Christmas decorations. Just once it would be nice if the council showed a bit of initiative and did something different.
Oh sorry - they have. The big push for the last two years has been the oh-so-chic-flavour-of-the-month "Green Power" which of course is more expensive but more fashionable than conventional electricity.
I wouldn't mind so much if the council were really serious about conserving energy, but I can go for a walk and each day I will see at least six street lamps that are on all day and night. Of course repairing the damn things would not be so prestigious as advertising how environmentally aware the council is, and it's hard to fit "sustainability" into "Oy mate, take the van out and fix those lamps in Harris Street will you".
It's not just a simple matter of being environmentally conscious - the important thing is to be seen to be environmentally conscious, while at the same time turning it into a nice little earner.
Wherever you may be - be safe!
