Christmas is not the only celebration that will be a lot different in the south-west this year.
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"Council must continue to prioritise the health, safety and well-being of residents and visitors."
- Council spokesman
As Victorians keenly await news on whether 10 people will be allowed to gather on Christmas Day, Warrnambool's New Year's Eve fireworks have been cancelled.
A spokesman for the council said there was an exciting summer events program planned, with an event with the theme 'Big Nature' planned for New Year's Eve.
He said the council considered this a safe alternative to a fireworks display.
"We understand many will be disappointed with fireworks no longer proceeding at the foreshore," the spokesman said.
"Council must continue to prioritise the health, safety and well-being of residents and visitors."
The spokesman said further details of the activities planned for summer would be released soon.
"Council is finalising a plan to have a spread of events across summer to attract visitors to Warrnambool and provide a more sustained benefit to the local economy," he said.
"Further details on the events program will be announced after the Victorian government issues an update on COVID-19 regulations on November 23."
The spokesman said the $20,000 set aside for the fireworks display would be redirected to the COVID-19 recovery program, which includes summer activities and promotions.
"We have seen across Australia a number of cities and regional councils reviewing fireworks programs," the spokesman said.
"Melbourne and Brisbane are among the cities to cancel their New Year's Eve fireworks displays, while Perth has cancelled its Australia Day fireworks."
Meanwhile, organisers of Warrnambool's seaside carnival remain in limbo about whether the event will go ahead.
Trent Woodall said he will meet with the Warrnambool City Council next week to find out whether he is allowed to return to the city this summer.
He is hoping for good news as he has not been able to operate in Victoria since March.
The impact of the coronavirus has seen the projected income for his business drop 90 per cent.
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