The Lakes Entrance Events committee has had to make the heartbreaking decision to abandon the planned New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The decision comes 12 months after bushfires saw the cancellation of the 2019 New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Lakes Entrance Events president, Corey Warfe, and his committee have tried everything to get the fireworks display back on the calendar, however have been met with many obstacles along the way due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The committee had been discouraging people from congregating on the foreshore on New Year’s Eve and to watch the fireworks from their homes, motels, caravan parks or any vantage point close to their residence. There was to be no market or live entertainment to draw people to the foreshore, but this was not enough to satisfy authorities.
Corey said the committee had been very optimistic it had covered all government requirements, but just over a month ago it was told a new requirement had been introduced.
“We had to apply for a permit from the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services), to begin with we didn’t need this, it was a new thing and we did apply,” Corey said.
“That was four weeks ago and the permit application hasn’t been acknowledged. Without this the
East Gippsland Shire could not issue a permit.”
The volunteer committee who have given countless hours to give Lakes Entrance their popular event hope to hold the fireworks on January 23 and 24, 2021.
“We would like to create a two- day festival over that weekend and try to make it an annual thing,” Corey said.
East Gippsland Shire Council mayor, Cr Mendy Urie, praised organisers of the Lakes Entrance New Year’s Fireworks for making the difficult decision to postpone this year’s event.
“We acknowledge the decision of Lakes Entrance Events to postpone the fireworks was not an easy one to make, however it has been done of the best advice from authorities to support COVID- Safe events and discourage people from gathering in large numbers,” Cr Urie said.
“This is a cautious and practical response in this year of COVID-19 and we thank Lakes Entrance Events for all of their work and for their careful consideration of this matter. It would be very difficult to run a fireworks display that, as history suggests, would attract a large crowd numbering well into the thousands of people. This would far exceed current limitations on public gatherings.
“Council looks forward to continuing to work with Lakes Entrance Events and other groups to support events through the year that can be conducted safely and bring benefit to our community.”

IMAGE:
Lakes Entrance’s New Year’s Eve fireworks have been abandoned for the second consecutive year, this time due to COVID-19 restrictions. Organisers, Lakes Entrance Events, hope to put on a fireworks display over the Australia Day weekend on January 23 and 24. K1697-340 (2018)