The New Year's Eve community celebration will be held at the Waratahs sports ground in North Orange this year, instead of Lake Canobolas.
OPEN SPACE: The Waratahs Sportsgrounds in North Orange will be the venue for this year's NYE celebrations in Orange.
In short: NYE fireworks will happen at the Waratahs Sportsgrounds, not Lake Canobolas.
The Lake was ruled out as planning progressed due to community safety linked to large crow numbers.
What's next: The night will include live music, together with food & drink stalls.
Orange City Council CEO David Waddell said he was disappointed the lake venue couldn't be used this time, but community safety had to take a top priority.
"There were a range of views when the option of a NYE celebration at the lake was first floated, but it hasn't worked out and I'm sure we'll be able to consider a different community event at the Lake at some point in the future," Mr David Waddell said.
"I was pleased to learn that the Waratahs Club are very keen to have the event on their grounds and there's no doubt it's going to be very convenient for many residents who live in the area.
"The main thing is that there's still going to be fireworks and live music as well as food and drink stalls. It's going to be a great night."
While a Council meeting in July opted to stage the event at Lake Canobolas , a number of potential challenges around community safety and neighbourhood impact came to light as planning progressed.
Planning identified a problem with the proposal to provide free transport to the lake using buses.
In the event of a bushfire near the lake, a risk assessment showed buses would not allow large numbers of people to be moved to safety quickly.
"While that risk could be prevented if total numbers attending the event were restricted, that had to be weighed up against the potential for more people to attend if it was held at Waratahs," Mr Waddell said.
"Making the switch to Waratahs means more people can attend the NYE event, or even watch the fireworks from their North Orange back yards."
"We also heard from some residents in the lake neighbourhood who were concerned about traffic management and the impact of fireworks noise on their livestock."
"Making the decision about the venue early meant that final arrangements are now already in full swing."
