UPDATE: Calls for Ballarat to cancel its Australia Day fireworks over Lake Wendouree have come up again after both Melbourne and Geelong dumped their displays this week.
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The Victorian State Government made the decision on Friday afternoon to cancel the display, citing the ongoing bushfire crisis as the primary reason.
"Given the huge resources Parks Victoria has invested in fighting fires and protecting our parks and people over recent weeks, the Victorian Government has decided to cancel this year's fireworks at Docklands," a government spokeswoman told the Herald Sun.
"While we understand that this decision may disappoint some families, the focus right now of Parks Victoria is, and has to be, on working with our other emergency services in the firefighting effort and the recovery of communities and wildlife."
This comes after the City of Greater Geelong applauded the Royal Geelong Yacht Club's decision to cancel its fireworks for similar reasons.
Mayor Stephanie Asher revealled she contacted the club to urge it to cancel it's display.
"I wrote to the RGYC on behalf of the council group, outlining feedback from the community that it would be appropriate to avoid fireworks in Greater Geelong during this time," she said.
"We're hopeful that the RGYC will find an alternative for the Australia Day celebrations at a time when spirits across Australia really could do with a lift."
The City of Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor said the fire conditions would be monitored on the day, and advice would be taken from the CFA "and other relevant authorities."
EARLIER: The City of Ballarat will seek donations for the Victorian bushfire relief at the Lake Wendouree fireworks on January 26.
A spokesperson said Ballarat council was currently recruiting volunteers to collect money at the lake.
They are approaching service clubs to ask for people to shake cans at the event and encourage people to give to bushfire relief.
Donations will go to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, the fund coordinated by the Victorian government with the Salvation Army and Bendigo Bank, to help communities affected by the devastating fires that have affected large areas of East Gippsland.
There had been speculation over whether the free fireworks display would take place in Ballarat this year.
At the December council meeting, the deputy mayor Belinda Coates requested a report on whether the fireworks were safe during the fire season.
Last year, a pontoon used to set off fireworks caught fire after the display had finished.
The City of Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor said the fire conditions would be monitored on the day, and advice would be taken from the CFA "and other relevant authorities."
A widely signed online petition, started by Sissy Austin of the Koorie Engagement Action Group, had also been calling for the display to be cancelled and funds to be donated to bushfire relief.
The petition had already gained 6779 signatures at the time of writing. Ms Austin said the fireworks display did not seem fitting while the country was facing a bushfire catastrophe.
Rather than forfeiting this monetary outlay, we will take the opportunity to transform the event into a major fundraising effort for all those bushfire victims who need it the most
- City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor
The petition also cited local Aboriginal community concerns about the fireworks, while naturalists have expressed concern about the effect on local wildlife.
However, in a press release, the City of Ballarat said it had already paid an external company for the fireworks to take place.
Cr Ben Taylor said: "Rather than forfeiting this monetary outlay, we will take the opportunity to transform the event into a major fundraising effort for all those bushfire victims who need it the most."
The City of Ballarat has also donated $20,000 to victims of the fire, as well as offering assistance with key emergency response personnel to East Gippsland and Towong councils.
On the same day, a dawn Survival Day memorial service will take place on the shores of the lake for the first time.
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