Port Macquarie Christmas tree lights roasted as ‘worst in history’ after rain, wind destroys it

A local council’s dismal attempt at spreading some festive cheer hasn’t ended the way it hoped after locals roasted its Christmas tree as ‘the worst in history’.

Families and community members turned out by the hundreds to see Port Macquarie Hastings Council, on NSW‘s Central Coast, light up its Christmas tree last Friday.

Locals were forced to wait until midnight to see the lights be turned on at the council’s annual Christmas Fair – but the long-anticipated reveal was instead met with plenty of disappointed sighs.

Families expecting a glowing symbol of Christmas cheer were instead treated to a sight of Christmas gloom with sad looking fairy light strings barely clinging onto the huge pine tree’s branches. 

Port Macquarie Hastings Council took the disappointment in its stride, mocking its own tree with an ‘Instagram vs Reality’ meme on Facebook.  

Port Macquarie Hastings Council unveiled the underwhelming Christmas tree last Friday with the community treated to a lackluster show of Christmas cheer. (Pictured, a meme shared by the Port Macquarie Hastings Council Facebook page)

‘What can we say except … you’re welcome,’ the council wrote on Friday, alongside a smirk face emoji. 

‘With everything our community has been through recently, we know everyone appreciates a good laugh!

 ‘We are glad our very sad Christmas tree could provide that for everyone.

‘So let’s be real. Our poor tree does look like it was decorated by Santa after he’s whizzed around the world and had too many eggnogs.’

The council said its tree decoration was done with ‘the best of intentions’ however ‘extraordinary winds and rain’ had destroyed the lights. 

‘Don’t forget – our magnificent and treasured pine tree was hit (like our cars) in the hailstorm,’ the council said.

‘Just like the rest of us – she’s battered and bruised, but she’s still standing.’ 

The council confirmed on Tuesday it needed to strip the sad tree because it had become a ‘safety risk’ to locals.

‘This is a great example of what some would describe a “Council can’t win” situation. HOWEVER – we are glass half full people here at [council]- and we choose to see this whole fiasco as a victory,’ the council said.

‘We know many in our community were disappointed with our Norfolk Pine tree – and fair enough! We are working hard to resurrect our original tree that has been used in previous years, which has always been a crowd pleaser.’

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After a mix of criticism and praise for the Christmas tree, the council decided to resurrect the tree used in previous years (pictured, the 2022 Christmas tree the day before it was unveiled)

The council said it was glad people were able to laugh at the tree and its ‘less traditional approach’. 

‘We have enjoyed your good humour and appreciation of our abstract piece of art,’ the council joked.

‘Unfortunately, the infamous lights will be removed, as they are slipping further down the tree and pose a safety risk and we are concerned if we leave the inflatable baubles up, we may not have any left by Christmas.’

Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson later said the council was working hard to install their ‘original outdoor tree will be installed and working for everyone’s enjoyment well before Christmas’.

‘Again, I am so thankful to the community for coming and celebrating. Merry Christmas to our wonderful, witty and resilient community,’ she said.

The tree garnered plenty of hilarious comments on social media with users chiming in with jokes about the underwhelming decoration.

‘I have a nine-year-old grandson you can hire to do next year’s decorations. Trust me. It will look better,’ one joked.

‘Google, show me the definition of “a bit sh*t”,’ another said. 

Others took the sad-looking tree more seriously. 

‘It isn’t even funny, it is a disgrace. What else can be expected from an inept council?’ one said.