BY TAHLIA HALE.
Newcastle Foreshore's annual New Year’s Eve fireworks and concert event has been cancelled due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 and mass gatherings.
The event attracted an estimated 30,000 people to the Foreshore last year.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said council is investigating a once off different New Year’s celebration with a series of smaller events throughout the city.
“We look forward to announcing a different way to come together as a community and welcome 2021 with a variety of activities throughout the city and suburbs.
“This revised program will allow us to plan safer opportunities for the community to celebrate together with more space and smaller crowd numbers,” said Nuatali Nelmes.
This cancellation will provide the capacity in the transport network for people to safely access Newcastle's high number of COVID safe hospitality venues and encourages celebrations in smaller controlled groups over the evening.
Council cancelled the event after consultations with key stakeholders, including NSW Police.
Acting Newcastle City Police District Commander, Wayne Humphrey, said the risk of large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic remains of a high concern.
"The dangers posed by moving tens of thousands of people into and out of the Foreshore precinct for the 9pm fireworks display remains quite high in the current pandemic conditions.”
A heavy presence of police will still be patrolling the city on New Year's Eve.
"We're obviously anticipating public place gatherings, beach gatherings, and house parties.
"So as it gets closer and we know specifically what is contained within the health orders we'll talk more to that then," said Wayne Humphrey.
Council will release further information about the 2021 New Year’s events at a later date.
