Geelong fireworks still up in the air

GEELONG’S New Year’s Eve fireworks display is still up in the air, as the city waits on advice for how to safely hold the mass gathering.

Days after the Surf Coast Shire made the call to cancel the Lorne New Year’s Eve fireworks event, the City of Greater Geelong this week confirmed it was yet to make a call on its popular annual waterfront event.

“The City of Greater Geelong is yet to make a decision about whether fireworks will go ahead this New Year’s Eve,” the city’s Events Manager Tim Ellis said.

“A key consideration for the City will be the state government’s Public Events Framework, which sets out the requirements for organised mass gatherings in public spaces. A framework covering the period of summer 2021/2022 is expected to be released early in November.

“It has been a tough year so we’re hoping to find ways to safely mark its end and thank everyone in the community for their efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The city was forced to cancel its 2020 New Year’s Eve fireworks show – making the call on December 3 – to protect the safety of the community amid the Covid-19 pandemic.