Lights to brighten Masterton

A new feature approved for Masterton's town square looks certain to bolster the town's image throughout New Zealand and probably offshore.

Plans have been approved by the Masterton District Council to erect a 12-metre-high pole near the northwest corner of the square under construction. The pole would light up as a giant decorated town Christmas tree, and be used as a unique advertising medium for events such as Golden Shears, Balloons Over Wairarapa and Wings Over Wairarapa.

The concept is the brainchild of Masterton Darklit Design directors Di, Steve and Courtney Norman and was given the green light by the council at a meeting on Wednesday.

Towering above the new town square, the pole will have a series of rings, or branches from which Christmas decorations or purpose-made designs for other events can be suspended.

Darklit Designs specialises in lighting and the intention is to bathe the square and pole with light at night.

Town Square developer David Borman said high-tech security cameras are being installed at various points around the square to give highly effective coverage as a guard against vandals.

He said special lights would be mounted on the town hall, the Wairarapa Times-Age building and probably on the old Public Trust building to create special night-time effects.

Estimates of costs for supplying and installing the framework for the pole was around $10,000 but councillors were confident that could be greatly reduced.

At Wednesday's meeting it was generally accepted the cost would be closer to $3000, due mainly to the fact underground power to the square had already been installed and could be tapped into for pole lighting.

Ongoing costs would be minor as the lighting base was LED, drawing minimal power from the street lighting circuit.

The location of the pole in the northwest sector was chosen as it would allow for unimpeded views of the Christmas tree from Queen St/Perry St and from Perry St west. Councillors were unanimous in their support of the concept with Mayor Garry Daniell saying the feature would be reminiscent of decorated tourist attractions in parts of Europe and to the huge Maypoles that graced German cities.

Councillor Judith Callaghan said it would greatly help overcome the "dullness" that plagued Masterton at Christmas time.

"Carterton has a single large tree in town but it is always beautifully lit and sparkling.

"Here it is dull with horrible banners hanging across the street," she said.

Work on the town square is progressing rapidly with trees being planted yesterday and the foundations for a central water feature now in place. Bollards have been constructed around the perimeter for chain fencing to be installed.