MORE light has been shed on how the Orange community will bring in the new year, literally.
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Mayor Reg Kidd used a mayoral minute at Tuesday night's Orange City Council meeting to push for a yearly commitment to a family evening of entertainment on December 31, featuring a laser light show, Orange musicians and foot outlets.
"Following on from along the lines of a very successful one last year," Cr Kidd said.
Last year's celebrations were switched to a ticketed event at Wade Park after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of the community party at Waratah Sportsground, with the laser show replacing the fireworks.
While the councillors acknowledged a commitment to this event would require an external party to manage it, there was scope for council to provide assistance and funding.
Cr Kidd said he was confident council could attract funding from the NSW Government's COVID recovery packages.
"I think the idea is just to show the community that we will always have a community event.
"Laser shows are the way to go, it doesn't have to be as grandiose as last year, it's getting cheaper and cheaper to put on, and tie it in with local artists and music.
"This is just to get something in there for this council and ongoing councils that we have a New Year's Eve event."
The meeting backed the project.
"Year's ago it started with the fireworks, it was successful and we had lots of businesses coming in and everyone looked forward to that New year's celebration," Cr Jason Hamling said. "We don't have the Christmas street party anymore and I think the laser show, we don't have to worry about fire bans, or Rural Fire Service and fireworks going on to houses.
"It's also a good way of showcasing some of our local bands, we have a lot of talent here."
The commitment to the a family New Year's Eve celebration was the first of Cr Kidds mayoral minutes with the second, the formation of a community advisory committee to work on establishing a sculpture park for Orange, also backed unanimously on Tuesday.
Cr Kidd said there were members of the community keen to form such a group, some with experience in similar projects elsewhere.
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