Fireworks now a fundraiser

CALLS to cancel the 26 January fireworks at Lake Wendouree haven’t been completely ignored by decision makers at the City of Ballarat.

While the event will still go ahead, weather permitting, it will also be used as a fundraiser for Victorian bushfire relief and recovery efforts.

An online partition started in late December and since gone onto attract about 7500 signatures called on the council to cancel the fireworks and donate the $30,000 budgeted for the event to bushfire recovery.

However, mayor Cr Ben Taylor said that wasn’t possible, with the company putting on the display already paid.

“Rather than forfeiting this monetary outlay, we will take the opportunity to transform the event into a major fundraising effort for all those bushfire victims who need it the most,” he said.

As for weather conditions on 26 January and if they would be suitable for a fireworks display, Cr Taylor reiterated the previous message from council and said decision makers follow the lead of firefighters.

“We will monitor the situation closely and take advice from the CFA and other relevant authorities leading up to and on the day of January 26,” he said.

Reaction to the online petition calling on the fireworks to be cancelled was mixed with some people agreeing with the suggestion for several reasons including fire risk, environmental impact and cultural sensitivity.

Others said that the fireworks should go ahead as they had already been paid for, some people enjoyed the fireworks and the event was a good opportunity to pass the hat around for bushfire relief.

The City of Ballarat has already donated $20,000 to the bushfire appeal and offered personnel and equipment to support affected local government areas. The Summer Sundays events are also being used as a fundraising opportunity for the relief effort.