Maureen Fraser said the main street of Laurieton is missing festive decorations, including banners and Santas on store awnings and roofs. 

Maureen said if tourists do not come to town ‘then we will not survive’.

“We have enough closed shopfronts at present,” she said. 

Maureen is calling on the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce to encourage shopping local, especially to residents who live at Lakewood and Kew. 

“At present there seems to be a decided lack of interest for the Christmas spirit surrounding the entire town,” she said.  

A spokesperson from the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce said an approved grant from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for $5000 has allowed the organisation to undertake festive activities for the community. 

“This includes a Santa in Laurieton for the week leading up to Christmas Day and a contribution towards fireworks for the New Year’s Eve festivities at Laurieton United Services Club,” she said. 

The chamber spokesperson said the ‘Sitting Santas’ which were installed on shop front awnings in previous years, was a fundraising initiative for the Laurieton Lions Club.

The chamber encourages any business owners with concerns about matters affecting them to join the organisation.

“Formally express your concerns and play an active role in supporting the Camden Haven business community,” the spokesperson said. 

“Chamber will continue to undertake activities that foster community engagement and benefit the business community in the Camden Haven, as it has done for many years.”