It's official, Wollongong will not hold a major fireworks display this New Year's Eve.
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The city council has also decided to close off the harbour area for food and entertainment.
Similarly the council has made the decision to hold scaled down Australia Day events in 2021.
Wollongong Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the decision to make these changes was not made lightly, and was in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Council's focus on putting the health, safety and wellbeing of its community first.
"As much as we all wish we could continue to mark the end of this challenging year that has thrown us many, many demanding circumstances, it isn't right to continue as normal," Cr Bradbery said.
"We need to focus on maintaining social distancing, and to look after ourselves, our loved ones and our community.
"That's why we will have a scaled-down event featuring a two-hour lighting display on both Belmore Basin and Flagstaff Hill lighthouses for New Year's Eve. It'll provide a special sight for the evening, which people can watch from a distance or drop by, watch and then head home to welcome in 2021 with their loved ones or friends."
Similarly, the Australia Day Committee is planning a downsized event that will feature a fly over by four aircraft from HARS during the day, some online youth content and, in the evening, a series of three light installations at a location near Lake Illawarra, one in the Wollongong Harbour precinct, and one in the northern suburbs.
The light installations will mix laser and other lighting effects and run for about an hour each.
"The lighting displays will be held instead of the usual day-long celebrations around Wollongong Harbour and Lang Park,'" Cr Bradbery said.
"We will continue with the Australia Day awards and Australia Day Citizenship ceremonies but we'll be making some changes to these events to ensure they comply with the latest advice from NSW Health."
Cr Bradbery thanked the community for their understanding of Council's decision.
"This is the right decision for this difficult time," he said.
"Coronavirus has thrown us a real curveball this year and you only have to look outside Australia's borders to Europe and the US to see the immense challenge we could have faced. It's important we continue to follow the latest advice to control the virus.
"This is not the time for taking risks - whether at a large-scale event or by not being mindful to keep your distance from others at all times."
Updates about New Year's Eve and Australia Day will be shared on the council's social media pages.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
