Special Event Planning Well Underway

By Carol McCormack - 30th July 2002 - Back to News

The Bass Coast Event Support and Community Liaison Committee met recently to discuss up-coming special events in the Shire. The Committee includes representatives from the local community, Council, Victoria Police and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

Much of the meeting discussed arrangements for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which will take place on Phillip Island from 18-20 October, and New Year’s Eve activities.

The meeting heard that traffic management during the Grand Prix will be similar to other years. The blue line, dual lane system will be put into place for traffic leaving the island on the Sunday. Bus services will again operate throughout Grand Prix weekend.

Emergency planning for the event is also well underway with an emergency exercise to be held during September. The exercise will simulate an emergency situation and how emergency services and other authorities will respond.

Last year’s popular Best Dressed Business competition will be conducted again in 2002. Local businesses will be encouraged to decorate their premises to welcome Grand Prix visitors. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed businesses.

Anticipated visitor numbers will dictate what activities are held in Cowes over Grand Prix weekend. It is likely that there will be bands, a superscreen and additional licensed areas.

New Year’s Eve in Cowes was also discussed during the meeting.

One of the main concerns of Council and the Committee is the risk to people and property that New Year’s Eve activities could cause. Therefore, a risk assessment exercise is being undertaken of five different New Year’s Eve scenarios. Issues such as cost and safety risk will be estimated for the following five scenarios:

1. Repeat of last year’s activities: daytime family activities, band 8pm-midnight, fireworks at 9:30pm and midnight.

2. Same as last year but no late night entertainment: daytime family activities and 9:30pm fireworks with optional midnight fireworks

3. Extend family activities until midnight: all day/evening family activities plus midnight fireworks.

4. No activities

5. Fenced off event (location not yet decided): daytime family activities, band 8pm ‘til midnight in fenced off area, 9:30pm and midnight fireworks.

The New Year’s Eve risk assessment exercise will take place during August. Representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups such as the CFA, Victoria Police and the local community, will attend a workshop. The group will establish and assess the risks associated with New Year’s Eve activities in Cowes.

"The outcomes form the workshop will significantly influence what will actually take place this New Year’s eve," said Cr Gains. "The Events Support and Community Liaison Committee will study the final report from the risk assessment exercise and recommend to Council what form or scenario New Year’s Eve activities should take.

Cr Gains stressed that community safety would be the main decision affecting activities for New Year’s Eve.

The Committee will meet again in August.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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