AFTER cancelling the usual New Years Eve fireworks, Bathurst Regional Council has revealed how it will be using the money it had committed to the display.
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Council normally spends around $10,000 on the fireworks near the Adventure Playground, which sees residents treated to an approximately 10-minute long display.
Mayor Bobby Bourke has told the Western Advocate that the money it would have otherwise spent on the display will be redirected to other activities at the NYE event.
"The money will be spent on sourcing activities for Party in the Park, including screens to stream the fireworks from Sydney," he said.
A number of councils around the country, including Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Cessnock City Council and Bundaberg Regional Council, have cancelled their NYE fireworks displays due to the ongoing bushfire emergency.
Closer to home, Orange will go ahead with its display, as will Dubbo Regional Council.
Many councils that have cancelled their displays will be donating the money they would have spent to bushfire relief.
While Bathurst council won't be doing the same with its fireworks allocation, it will support the NSW Rural Fire Service at Party in the Park.
"Party in the Park will also raise money for the RFS, which will be on site during the night taking donations," Cr Bourke said.
"All money raised will be going to support the local RFS."
News broke on November 29 that Bathurst's fireworks display was going to be cancelled.
At the time, Cr Bourke said the decision was partly due to how much water would be needed for the display.
"To do the fireworks we would have to water down the netball courts first and that takes a lot of water," he 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."
Party in the Park will start at 5pm on December 31, at the new location of Machattie Park.
The venue was chosen as an alternative to the Adventure Playground, given that there is more shade available and the park in better condition due to it being prioritised for watering.
Although the event will not feature a fireworks display, many of the activities normally seen will still be offered this year.