Organisers of the Lake Wendouree Australia Day fireworks have said they are open to all options to keep the event going.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballarat radio station 3BA 102.3 pulled out of the event on Tuesday, amid claims the company’s request to council for financial support had been unsuccessful.
3BA general manager John Fitzgibbon said he was open to all options to remain involved in the event.
“I had an expectation there might be contact to see what could be done,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said council staff had told the radio station it did not qualify for a tourism events grants.
A second grant stream – the community impact grant – had a $10,000 limit, well below what 3BA required to keep running the fireworks display each year.
Mr Fitzgibbon said he was pleased council had announced it would run the event itself if 3BA could not.
“We were disappointed we couldn’t continue to do it on our own,” he said.
“We are pleased the event is not going to be lost. There has been minimal contact from council about this so we will wait and see.”
RELATED COVERAGE
Council said in media release it was disappointed to hear of 3BA’s decision on Tuesday evening.
“The City of Ballarat can confirm there will be fireworks to celebrate Australia Day 2018, and while this is currently in the planning phase, we will ensure the celebrations go off with a bang,” the media statement said.
Council’s statement also said reports 3BA had sought funding for the event were “not accurate”, because council had not received any applications under its grants policy.
3BA first revealed soaring costs could scuttle its annual fireworks display in 2012, when Mr Fitzgibbon said the long-term future of the event was in doubt.
