Christmas star’s new location ‘yet to be announced’

Saturday, 30 November 2024

Just where Timaru’s Christmas star will be erected for the festive season is unknown, following confirmation it will not be placed on top of the town’s fire station this year.

While the Timaru District Council remains tight-lipped on where the $35,000 star will go, on Friday a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson confirmed it would not be on its Latter St fire training tower.

The spokesperson said “we do not know where it will be erected’’.

The 24-metre training tower became the temporary home for the star during the festive season following the shock felling of the town’s Champagne tree in March 2022.

The tree, at the rear of a Wai-iti Rd property, was cut down to make way for development. It had played host to the star since 2003.

On Friday, a council spokesperson said the star’s location this Christmas was “yet to be announced’’.

When asked if that meant the council was yet to find a location for it, the spokesperson said it did not mean that.

“It means it is yet to be announced. It will be announced to the community in the coming weeks.’’

In previous years, the star was usually shining over the town before December 1.

In 2022, St Mary’s Church suggested it could house the star each Christmas, following concerns it was not as visible on the fire station.

The church made an offer to the council for it to be placed atop its 32-metre high tower.

However, the church confirmed on Friday it would not be placed there.

The council’s 9.1m Christmas tree was erected at the Piazza overlooking Caroline Bay last week.

The tree and decorations, which weigh between 1200kg and 1500kg when set up, cost more than $94,000 and were purchased in 2023. They were set up for the first time last year.