The main Australian National Day fireworks show in Melbourne has been scrapped by state governorment as firefighters continue to grapple with the devastating bushfires of the summer, according to THEAGE News.
Government decided to cancel the fireworks display in the Docklands, as staff at Victoria Park, which would normally be involved, had been battling the flames in East Kipsland and the state`s north-east.
Family watch New Year`s Eve fireworks in Melbourne Source: Chris Hopkins
One woman, speaker, said:" considering the huge resources that victoria park has invested in fighting fires and protecting the park and its residents in recent weeks, victoria governance has decided to cancel this year`s fireworks display in the farf district. ".
"While we know that this decision may disappoint some families, Victoria Park`s current focus is, and must be, to work with our other emergency services to carry out fire work to restore communities and wildlife. "
Mayor Sally Capp supported the decision to stop fireworks.
"We understand the need to prioritize national resources to respond to forest fires," Capu said. Fireworks shows, which typically attract about 25,000 people, were scheduled to take place on January 26 at 9 p.m. in the Harbour Esplanade in the Wharf district.
Other cities, including the City of Whitehorse, have also decided to cancel the Australian National Day fireworks display.
Other Australian National Day events will be carried out as planned. The impact of the emergency services and bushfire crisis will be recognized at the official event of the day.
The impact of the fire has gone far beyond the directly affected areas, with many tourism-dependent towns struggling to attract visitors in the wider area of Gippsland and north-east Victoria. This includes towns far from forest fires.
For many towns, January is the busiest time of the year. Some companies say that after the state government declared a state of disaster on january 2nd, tourists were too scared to travel, and the disaster was lifted.
A state government speaker said at the time that the statement sent a clear message," If you`re in the fire zone, you can leave, you have to leave."
"If you don`t, we simply can`t keep you safe and others may be put in danger by trying to protect you," she said. Nothing is more important than keeping Victoria safe. []
On Friday, state government also announced that farms affected by the wildfires would be eligible for up to A $15,000 in transport costs. the subsidy will cover 50% of the total freight, which may include transporting emergency feed to burned house or shipping stock for sale or slaughtering.
Mr Government confirmed there had been 4,900 stock losses so far in the East Gippsland and Upper Murray regions.
