New Years Eve Activites To Go Ahead In CowesWorkshop assesses the risk of holding a various activities or no activities at Cowes on New Years Eve. By Carol McCormack - 16th September 2002 - Back to News New Years Eve activities will continue as usual at Cowes in 2002. Bass Coast Shire Council made the decision at the Council meeting on 4 September after viewing an independent risk assessment report of New Years Eve activities throughout the Shire. Council accepted the recommendation of the Bass Coast Event Support and Community Liaison Committee that activities should continue as per usual.
The independent risk workshop was held in early August and was attended by representatives from local emergency services, Bass Coast Shire Council, Cowes New Year’s Eve Festival Committee, and the Event Support and Community Liaison Committee.
The workshop assessed the risk of holding a various activities or no activities at Cowes on New Years Eve. The workshop concentrated on significant risk, such serious injury to people.
"Council accepted the Event Support and Community Liaison Committee’s recommendation that we continue with low key late night entertainment," said Cr John Gains, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council. "This is designed not to attract people to Cowes on New Years Eve, but to keep revelers occupied."
Cr Gains explained that the Committee believed that no late night entertainment would make policing of Cowes and crowd control more difficult. This is because revelers would be scattered in and around the commercial area in small groups, rather than in one location near the entertainment.
"The Committee found that the nuisance problem of people partying and creating a disturbance in the streets is also more likely to increase with no evening entertainment," said Cr Gains.
As per the Committee’s recommendations, entertainment at New Years Eve will not be promoted. It is only intended to safely manage the crowd who will already be on the Island, including members of the local community and people already holidaying in the area.
One of the other recommendations adopted by Council was a joint media campaign in cooperation with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council that focuses on the issue of underage drinking and parental responsibility. Another reccommendation ensured a strong local laws and police presence during the busy summer season.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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