The creators of Geelong's million-dollar floating Christmas tree have rebuffed its critics, saying the 25 metre-high steel structure is a thing of beauty.
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The $990,000 tree was finally towed into Corio Bay on Wednesday morning to be greeted by Geelong's ever-colourful Mayor Darryn Lyons.
The council's decision to push ahead with the Christmas tree has been a point of contention in a city that has been hit hard in recent years with widespread job losses.
It is understood the Christmas tree cost about $350,000 to construct.
The total $990,000 expense accounts for the additional costs of dismantling the tree, putting it in storage and then erecting it again over four years.