Is this the new location of Timaru's Christmas star?
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
While the council is yet to announce the new location of Timaru’s $35,000 Christmas star, a new mystery pole surrounded by fencing at Caroline Bay may have given the secret up.
Last week, the Timaru District Council, which owned the decoration, said the location for the star was “yet to be announced’’, following confirmation it would not be placed on top of the town’s fire station.
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, which stood on a private property on Wai-iti Rd, was cut down to make way for development. It had played host to the star since 2003.
However, in recent weeks construction of a pole structure started at the bay, also home to the annual Caroline Bay Carnival, opposite the area’s tea rooms, and between the hall and games area.
On Monday, the council did not answer questions as to what the structure was for and if it was where the Christmas star was going this year.
A sticker on the pole offered up a company name, Spunlite Limited, and also said ”Danger Live Wires“.
Spunlite directed all enquiries about the pole to the Timaru District Council “in the first instance’’.
Based in Christchurch, the company listed itself as New Zealand’s number one manufacturer and supplier of pole solutions on its website.
“While we hold in stock a standard range of the most commonly used street light and floodlight poles, we can also design and manufacture to order a custom solution,’’ its website stated.
“By using only New Zealand steel and manufactured locally you can be assured that your finished product will be produced to the highest standards and quality possible.’’
In previous years, the star was usually shining over the town before December 1.
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.