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New Year’S Eve In Cowes – A Family Affair

New Year’s Eve promises to be a family friendly occasion again this year.

By Bass Coast Shire - 21st December 2005 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Special Events Coordinator, Frank Angarane, said that Council would not be organising any night time activities beyond the 9.30pm fireworks in Cowes.

"Our community very clearly supports a low-key New Year’s Eve, which worked extremely well last year.

"The only events taking place in Cowes on New Year’s Eve will be family oriented activities. These will be held in the afternoon and all activities will end with the fireworks at 9.30pm.

"We look forward to families coming down here to enjoy our casual seaside atmosphere," Mr Angarane said.

Bass Coast Shire Council has been actively spreading the news throughout Melbourne’s metropolitan areas that Bass Coast is a no-go zone for New Year’s Eve party revellers.

"Council is reminding everyone that the Shire is an alcohol free zone and that infringements will be issued if local laws are broken by people drinking in any public area including streets, parks and footpaths.

"Heavy penalties will also be issued for unauthorised camping, for sleeping in cars and for the illegal use of fireworks," Mr Angarane warned.

Victoria Police, Council Local Laws officers and private security will be present over the New Year period to enforce these local laws.

Council has also expressed its concern at the risks some young people take by placing themselves in vulnerable situations while celebrating New Year’s Eve.

"In past years some teenagers have been putting themselves at serious risk through underage and excessive drug and alcohol use whilst celebrating New Year’s Eve," said Council’s Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon.

"It is expected that the high level of interest in this year’s Pyramid Rock Festival will reduce the number of teenagers in Cowes while providing them with a two days of entertainment in a safe environment.

"Limited numbers of tickets will remain available locally even though the event will most probably sell out," Mr Laydon said.

It is expected that shuttle bus services will only operate to take people out of Cowes in the late evening to help reduce crowd numbers and get people home safely.

Car Parking

Council will also continue to remind residents and visitors to check the parking limit whenever they park their car in public.

"The busy summer holiday period always puts stress on our limited number of parking areas in many of our townships.

"One way to share the parking around more equitably is to ensure that parking time limits are complied with.

"All designated parking areas are clearly signed and people are asked to comply with parking restrictions at all times to avoid the need for Council to issue a parking infringement," reminded Mr Laydon.

Keep Your Animals Secure over New Year’s Eve

Many activities over the New Year period cause pets to become extremely frightened.

Pet owners are asked to ensure their animals are well and truly secured this year to avoid the grief of having their pets run away, which is a common occurrence each New Year’s Eve.

Elsewhere in Bass Coast Shire

Around the Shire there will be a family fireworks display at the Coronet Bay Foreshore at 9.30pm and midnight fireworks at the Inverloch Recreation Reserve.

"Although the focus of resources will be in Cowes there will also be added police and local laws presence across the whole Shire.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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