At the request of Council, the City of Greater Bendigo will soon consult with residents regarding alternative forms of community entertainment that are safer and more inclusive for people, domestic animals and wildlife.
At the May Council meeting, Council supported two Notices of Motion to investigate alternatives to the use of fireworks and petting zoos and similar animal-based entertainment for events run by the City of Greater Bendigo only.
A Notice of Motion is best described as a Councillor-led request for action on a certain issue.
The Notice of Motion expressed concerns about fireworks, including their impact to wildlife and domestic animals, sensitivity of some people in the community and release of chemicals into the atmosphere.
Instead, Council wants to encourage the use of recent developments in technology, such as spatial animation, drone light displays and suspended imagery.
Council is also seeking to understand what options are available to phase-out the use of animal petting zoos, pony rides, farm animals and wildlife shows, due to the impact on animal health and welfare.
Community consultation will commence shortly and will be promoted via local media and social media.
Council will use the feedback received to inform a decision on whether to transition away from the use of New Year's Eve and Easter Saturday fireworks (the only fireworks displays staged by the City) by 2032 and to transition away from the use of animals at City events by 2028.
