The Shellharbour community has spoken and they want to see the fireworks at council's Christmas carols event cancelled this year with the money being donated to the Rural Fire Service.
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That's the way councillor Kellie Marsh sees it after she posted a poll asking residents' views on three popular Shellharbour community Facebook groups.
She feels as a civic leader it is her responsibility to listen to community sentiment.
"A few thousand people voted 'yes' in one day," she said. "The response was overwhelming.
"I thought there would be strong community sentiment on the issue. Now the community has spoken."
Cr Marsh asked whether the council should cancel the fireworks at the Carols by Candlelight event at Reddall Reserve on December 6 and the money be given to the RFS.
In less than 24 hours, 2,242 voted yes and 198 voted no on the Lake South/Warilla, Albion Park and Shell Cove community Facebook pages, as at 12pm on Wednesday.
"I shouldn't be surprised with the sentiment," Cr Marsh said. "Our community will speak out.
"Emotions, actions and thoughts are running high at the moment because of the environmental impacts of the fires.
"We have a great community who would forgo their own entertainment and pleasure for the benefit of the environment.
"I was contacted by many residents who said it didn't seem right to hold the fireworks this year."
On Wednesday, there were 129 fires burning with 66 uncontained, mainly in mid and northern NSW, that are being fought by more than 1,800 personnel.
Two weeks ago, the Illawarra had a 'catastrophic' fire danger rating.
Cr Marsh, with the support of Cr Peter Moran, will call an extraordinary meeting of council to ask their fellow councillors to support cancelling the carols fireworks over Warilla Beach.
"Council has a contractual agreement with the fireworks company worth $4400," she said.
"I'm suggesting, with councillors' support, that council fulfills its agreement and pays the company $4400 but the fireworks will not be held.
"In my motion I will then ask council to make a donation of the same amount to Shellharbour local government area brigades, which are Oak Flats, Dunmore, Albion Park and Calderwood."
Cr Marsh also said she would have to talk to the sponsors of the carols event to ensure they supported the proposal.
"It is not too late," she said. "Where there is a will, there is a way."
Cr Marsh anticipated some of her colleagues could oppose the idea but she feels the community will both benefit.
"Our role as civic leaders is to put the views of the community forward and act upon them," she said.
The carols event, which will be held from 5pm to 9pm, will include performances, special guests and Santa.