Christmas, NYE 2020: NSW councils cancel carols, fireworks
Coogee, Manly and Dee Why are among the Sydney suburbs to cancel their traditional suburban fireworks shows — while Penrith’s Christmas tree lighting is going virtual. IS YOUR COUNCIL AFFECTED?
NSW
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It’s the year most people can’t wait to put behind them, but New Year’s Eve in 2020 is shaping up as a night to forget as local councils cancel fireworks displays amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Traditional Christmas carols events are also set to be silenced because of current coronavirus advice that prevents people singing in groups of more than five. But choirs are lobbying the state government for a relaxation of the rules.
Coogee New Year’s Eve fireworks display has officially been cancelled, as well as other popular firework demonstrations including Manly and Dee Why, which each draw thousands of people every year.
The annual Christmas tree lighting in Penrith will go virtual this year, while other events are being cancelled across the board.
Carols by the Sea in Bondi will “not proceed in the usual way”, and Woollahra Council’s HMAS Watson Carols on the Bay has also been canned.
“Our usual HMAS Watson carols event is not happening this year, and local community groups have also cancelled smaller events due to social distancing and public health requirements,” a spokesman for the council told The Daily Telegraph.
The council will instead focus on Christmas decorations in commercial centres to get into the festive spirit.
The decision to scrap fireworks and Christmas festivities has caused some unease within local councils.
But Health Minister Brad Hazzard said any council that wanted to hold a carols event could work with NSW Health to ensure it was viable, as the City of Sydney was doing.
Talks were under way in a bid to ease restrictions on choirs to allow Christmas carol events.
“My personal view is I see no difference between singing in an outdoor environment in a socially distanced way to people who are in a large crowd at a sporting events vocalising loudly,” Gondwana Choirs executive director Bernie Heard said.
Ms Heard said choirs had been “extremely heartened” by NSW Health listening to concerns, and were hopeful rules could change to allow community events.
“If changes were recognised and put into place now, that would pave the way for Christmas and then beyond,” she said.
CANCELLED CHRISTMAS, NYE EVENTS
Northern Beaches
– Cancelled Christmas Carols and New Year’s fireworks at both Manly and Dee Why
Penrith
– Will undertake a virtual Christmas tree lighting
Randwick
– Coogee fireworks and carols cancelled, however “Council will deliver an expanded program of Christmas activities”
Woollahra
– Christmas carols cancelled and New Year’s Eve vantage point management yet to be confirmed
Waverley
– Christmas Carols cancelled
Campbelltown
– Christmas Carols cancelled
Fairfield
– The lighting of the Christmas Tree event in Fairfield and kids Christmas party at Canley Heights will not proceed. Fireworks yet to be confirmed.
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