Tea Tree Gully Council’s Civic Park Carols are set to be axed or significantly scaled back
Tea Tree Gully Council’s Civic Park Carols event – the largest in the state – could become another victim of COVID-19, with it’s 2020 fate set to be decided.
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The state’s biggest Christmas carols event is set to be either cancelled or significantly scaled back this year.
Tea Tree Gully Council may cancel its annual Civic Park Carols, which traditionally draws more than 40,000 people each year, if elected members approve a motion on Tuesday night. Council staff say a decision must be made before September 1 for contractual reasons.
However, the council could continue with the carols in a reduced capacity, based on the current one person per two square metre rule, which would limit capacity to 7300 people.
With contact tracing required by SA Health, the event would also have to be ticketed through a ballot and fully fenced.
The “Family Fun Zone” and food vendors would also be unlikely to be included at the event as they present a “high risk” in relation to social distancing, a council report reads.
The cost-per-participant could increase by more than 460 per cent, if it limited capacity to 7300, as the council would have to employ staff and police to monitor social distancing.
If physical distancing regulations revert back to a one person per four square metres, the attendance would then be capped at 3650, staff say.
Staff also say the inclusion of a special guest performer may not be practical at this year’s event.
“Current border restrictions and the requirement for self-isolation following interstate travel presents too high a risk,” it reads.
“In lieu of this, more local content would be built into the show if council choses to proceed.”
A community choir could also be “removed” due to social distancing requirements on stage, the report shows.
“The removal of the choir will have a significant impact on the look and feel of the show and will see a reduction in community involvement,” the report reads.
Pre-show entertainment could also be limited, which could include a Christmas movie screening and onstage performers.
It would also need to commit additional resources to monitor social distancing, including police officers, or even hire seating to ensure COVID-19 compliance.
However, they say “significant reputational risks” are likely if elected members chose to proceed with event changes.
“Making substantial changes to such a well-established and popular community event could impact negatively on the future viability of the event,” a council report read.
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“Beyond the reduction in attendance, spending a substantial amount of public money on a much smaller attendance may incur significant community and media scrutiny as well as reputational damage.”
A further report could come before the council in coming months outlining “alternative options to engage with our community during the festive season”, if elected members approve the motion on Tuesday night.