Fireworks and other big events

Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 at 5:26:10 AM

Like the rest of the world, the Bassendean community is experiencing the effects of COVID-19 and the pandemic will have a significant impact on the Town’s budget and planning for 2020/21. 
At its 28 April Ordinary Meeting Council decided to draft the 2020-21 Budget on the assumption that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic would extend into the next financial year. 
The Council agenda recorded that the Town would be unable to operate significant events such as NAIDOC Day and the Australia Day Fireworks for the following reasons: 
  • Social distancing requirements 
    Even with further restrictions being eased on gatherings between now and the event dates, there remains a high risk that events the size of the Town's Australia Day Fireworks will be inappropriate to stage due to potential public health risks that large crowds pose.
  • Long lead time
    Events of this scale such as the Town’s NAIDOC Day and Australia Day Fireworks takes many months to plan. Delaying until late 2020 to decide whether to go ahead would be a significant risk to the Town.
  • Grant Funding
    Unlikelihood of securing the usual external grant funding relied upon to support these events given changes to the Lotterywest grant criteria in response to COVID-19
  • Reduced Income
    COVID-19 will have a significant effect on the Town’s income during 2020-21. In working to support businesses, ratepayers and residents impacted by COVID-19 and to help the local economy recover, the Town's revenue and expenditure is being shifted to more urgent needs and priorities of our local community.

Noting the current social distancing measures, reduction in and reprioritisation of the Town’s income and unlikelihood of securing grant funding, large scale events such as NAIDOC Day and the Australia Day Fireworks events will not be preceding during 2020-21.

This year, COVID-19 restrictions meant that the Town was unable to hold our usual ANZAC Day ceremony.  Instead we encouraged our community to mark the day in new ways and saw some wonderful results.  In a similar way, we will be encouraging our community to acknowledge NAIDOC Day and Australia Day in new ways.  

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