THE decision hasn't been finalised yet but it appears certain that Bathurst Regional Council will vote on Wednesday night to drop the traditional fireworks display from this years party in the park.
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And that's the best decision they could take this year.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said a key factor in the decision was the need to heavily water the Bathurst netball courts to allow the fireworks to go ahead.
But when residents are on extreme water restrictions, Cr Bourke said it was inappropriate for council to use water in such a way, and no one could argue with that.
Moving the New Year's Eve party to Machattie Park for this year only also seems a sensible decision.
Victoria Park had originally been selected to host the NYE celebration due, first, to its proximity to the adventure playground and, second, to take advantage of natural amphitheatre that provided a perfect viewing spot for fireworks over the netball courts.
But Victoria Park is one of the council-owned facilities that is not regularly being watered and it could be an ugly dust bowl come New Year's Eve.
In contrast, council is keeping the water up to Machattie Park as one of the city's garden jewels and it only makes sense to maximise its use.
So Bathurst Regional Council will fall in line with many councils across the state who have cancelled their NYE fireworks, even if its official reasons are somewhat different.
Many councils are donating the money they would have spent on fireworks to drought relief efforts and it would be a nice touch for Bathurst to do the same.
It remains to be seen in such a donation is part of the recommendation put to Wednesday's meeting and, even if it's not, there remains the opportunity for one of the councillors to make such a suggestion.
Importantly, the proposal to drop the fireworks is for this year only at this stage, and we would all hope that the region receives drought-breaking rain over the next 12 months that would mean we're in a very different situation this time next year.
If not, though, another New Year's Eve party without fireworks is a small sacrifice for the community to make.
And then will undoubtedly come the a discussion on whether or not blowing up thousands of dollars worth of fireworks should have a place in any future end-of-year celebration.
