Christmas Tree Returns To King George Square
27 November, 2009
Brisbane City Council has put the finishing touches on Australia’s largest “green” Christmas tree ahead of tonight’s lighting-up ceremony.
The 21.2m tree might be grey but its green credentials are generated by 15 solar panels mounted in its 3m high star which powers its 16,000 low-voltage twinkling coloured bulbs.
The tree has returned to its traditional home in the redesigned King George Square after a two-year hiatus in Reddacliff Place and like its new home, the tree has also undergone a facelift that has seen it decked out with new foliage, decorations, and the state-of-the-art solar-powered lighting system.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he was delighted the new-look tree would be more environmentally sustainable by entirely generating its own power.
“Fifteen specifically-designed solar panels in the star will collect 3000 watts of solar power each day, which will be stored in five heavy duty dry cell batteries inside the tree’s base,” Cr Newman said.
“The lights will use only 1750 watts of this stored power each night. This is an Australian first to have a tree this large illuminated by so many solar-powered lights, and is in line with council’s Green Heart CitySmart sustainability message.”
Green Heart CitySmart is Council’s plan to make Brisbane Australia’s most sustainable city by planting 2 million trees by 2012 and restoring the city to 40 per cent green cover by 2026.
Cr Newman said the new-look square’s wide, open spaces were perfectly suited to showcasing the refurbished tree which was adorned with decorations including 160 red pom poms, 68 stars, and 150 snowflakes.
Brisbane residents are invited to join Cr Newman at the tree-lighting ceremony to mark the start of the festive season tonight (Friday, November 27) from 6pm.
Entertainment for the event will include performances by celebrated Brisbane singer, Katie Noonan, theatre legend Bille Brown, Christmas Elves from Flipside Circus and, of course the biggest star of all, Santa.
Finalists from the Christmas Star competition will also perform along with a massed choir made up of local singing ensembles.
The tree will remain in King George Square until 26 December before it is removed to make way for New Years Celebrations.
