Surf Coast Shire Council has cancelled its New Year’s Eve fireworks in Lorne this year due to the uncertainty of COVID event requirements.
“While it’s disappointing, an event such as New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations presents significant challenges relating to QR code check-in of attendees, contact tracing and social distancing,” Surf Coast Shire Council environment and development general manager Ransce Salan said.
“The Public Events Framework doesn’t provide clarity on how to manage a non-ticketed mass crowd event. This is particularly challenging for events such as New Year’s Eve fireworks.
“The requirements for planning an event of this scale are such that we need to make the decision now.
“The decision to cancel this year’s New Year’s Eve was made in consultation with other agencies, such as Victoria Police, who will already have stretched resources along the coast this year.”
The decision comes on the back of many other recent event cancellations and postponements including Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Race Torquay and Amy’s Gran Fondo.
It will be the second year in a row without the iconic New Year’s Eve event in Lorne, after the 2020 fireworks were also cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings.
