Albany New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks plans fizzle out amid COVID-19 budget restraints

Fireworks will not burst over Anzac Peace Park when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, with the City of Albany opting for one fireworks show at 9pm due to a COVID-19 crunch.

The City’s New Year’s Eve picnic will start at 5pm, with fireworks starting at the “family-friendly” time of 9pm.

City acting executive director of community services Nathan Watson said “significant pre-planning” went into the City’s annual events.

“With the budget impact of COVID-19, we made the decision to have just one fireworks display this year to achieve some cost efficiencies and ensure we could also still deliver the family entertainment on the foreshore for this popular event,” he said.

“The 9pm fireworks display has traditionally been far better attended than the midnight display as it suits families who attend the New Year’s Eve picnic and fireworks with young children.

“We don’t expect the absence of midnight fire-works this year to have any impact on people’s plans to go out to our local hospitality traders and celebrate New Year’s Eve.”

When asked whether the midnight fireworks display would return next year, Mr Watson said it was too soon to tell given the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19.

“We plan these events year-to-year, so we’ll need to wait and see what things look like into next year,” he said.