This year's New Year's Eve fireworks display is still up in the air.
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COVID-19 could once again put a stop to celebrations along the Tuncurry and Taree foreshores, but for different reasons.
According to a report at last week's MidCoast Council November monthly ordinary meeting, the pandemic has caused supply chain issues.
However, if the company can source the fireworks a scaled down New Year's Eve will indeed be celebrated with a big bang.
The report also recommended the event not include live music, amusement rides or food stalls as these would be a drawcard for more people to attend, making COVID safety problematic.
Pulling out of this year's display also was not an option for council; breaking the contract with the fireworks company would cost council thousands of dollars.
It was expected the NSW Recovery Roadmap after December 15 would not place a cap on attendee numbers for outdoor public gatherings, there would be a density limit of one person per two square metres for outdoor gatherings, and a COVID safety plan would be required for an event with more than 1000 people attending.
After consultation with officers from the Manning Great Lakes Police District, council staff feared that complying with the regulations would be difficult.
Deputy mayor Claire Pontin expressed reservations about holding the event.
I do know it's not exactly how we would like to do it but it's better than nothing.
- Councillor Katheryn Smith
"The only mitigation action we seem to be taking is not allowing food and beverage providers in," deputy mayor, Claire Pontin said.
"It won't reduce the numbers," she said.
"People will bring their own food and drink.
"People will flock to the riverbanks," Cr Pontin said, adding she didn't think a proper risk assessment had been done.
Cr Troy Fowler also said he didn't see that providing entertainment and food would make a difference in numbers attending the events, but said after nearly two years of COVID, people should know how to conduct themselves.
Cr Katheryn Smith said the event needed to go ahead.
"I've been watching the (RiverStage) shows Rotary (has been putting on) the last few weeks, the people's faces and the smiling and rejoicing.," Cr Smith said.
"I think it's a shame we're not providing entertainment, food vans, service club barbecues; but if that's the trade off we have to pay to have the (event) then so be it," she said.
"We need to put some smiles on people's faces again.
"Before COVID it was the fires.
"I do know it's not exactly how we would like to do it but it's better than nothing."
After discussions about costs to hire more security and other associated COVID safety costs and where the money would come from, the councillors voted unanimously for the event to go ahead on a fireworks only basis.
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