BATHURST'S annual New Year's Eve fireworks will be cancelled and the Party in the Park moved to Machattie Park under a plan to go before Bathurst Regional Council next week.
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Ongoing drought conditions across the Bathurst region have forced council to abandon the traditional adventure playground Party In the Park, with Victoria Park feeling the effects of a lack of watering in recent months.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said a report expected to go to Wednesday night's council meeting would recommend moving all other aspects of the party - including food stalls, live music and rides - to Machattie Park.
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He said the idea had come to him from council's events staff and he believed there was support for it among the majority of councillors.
"To do the fireworks we would have to water down the netball courts first and that takes a lot of water," Cr Bourke said.
"At a time when we're asking people to save water and telling residents they can't top up their pool, I just don't think that's an appropriate use of water.
I think we would be hypocrites if we were to do anything else.
- Mayor Bobby Bourke
"The plan to cancel the fireworks for this year only has my full support. I think we would be hypocrites if we were to do anything else."
Bathurst's New Year's Eve Party in the Park was first held in 2009 to make use of the newly-opened adventure playground.
The 9pm fireworks quickly became the highlight of the annual party and the idea was soon copied by other Central West towns and cities. Now with Bathurst set to drop this year's fireworks, other centres are also considering their position.
GALLERY: Fireworks at last year's Party in the Park ...
The McCormack Barber Party Under The Stars in Orange is going ahead with the planned fireworks still on the itinerary while Mid-Western Regional Council is considering a proposal to spend its $10,000 fireworks budget on buying bales of hay to donate to farmers.
Cr Bourke said he believed the move to Machattie Park would be a good one.
"We've kept watering Machattie Park so it will be a much more comfortable setting and there will be less to do in terms of traffic control," he said.
"There won't be as many residents impacted by the party and hopefully the businesses in the CBD will also get a benefit out of us moving it this year."