A review of community events in Campbelltown has recommended a major overhaul of Australia Day and axing the garden competition and Riverfest.
There could also be changes to public fireworks following years of controversy, especially with regard to the impact on pet animals.
Councillors will vote on the proposed changes at the next council meeting, which is on tomorrow night, July 10.
The Fisher’s Ghost Festival schedule will also be re-jigged, but the biggest proposed change is to Australia Day celebrations held on January 26 every year in Campbelltown and Ingleburn.
The review recommends that the civic component, which includes the Australia Day awards and citizenship ceremony, be merged into one and held indoors in the Greg Percival Community Centre, Ingleburn.
And it recommends the popular afternoon Australia Day celebrations in Koshigaya Park be expanded by starting them earlier at noon instead of 4pm.
The review proposes that a World Food Fair event be developed to replace Riverfest, a 15 year old event in Koshigaya Park that celebrates sustainability and community cohesion.
“The level of attendance at this event has been low for some time,’’ says a report to council for tomorrow night’s meeting.
“Due to the ever growing multicultural community of Campbelltown, there is also a need to explore a targeted event that celebrates this cultural diversity through experiences of entertainment, workshops and food.
“It is proposed that a World Food Fair event be developed to replace Riverfest that centres on the experience and enjoyment of different cultural traditional foods,’’ says the report.
The garden competition is also the victim of declining interest, attracting between 30 to 50 entrants in recent years.
“It is proposed that the garden competition in its current form is ceased,’’ says the report.
Council’s community event review looked at Australia Day, Ingleburn Alive festival, Challenge Walk, the garden competition, Riverfest, Festival of Fisher’s Ghost, Christmas Carols and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The review recommends that the Fisher’s Ghost street parade remain a twilight event, with Fisher’s Flicks to be moved from Bradbury Oval to Koshigaya Park to coincide with the conclusion of the parade.
It also suggests the Fisher’s Ghost Street Fair be returned to the second weekend in November.
It was noted that council’s contract with the current fireworks supplier has recently expired and a new tender process will commence shortly.
“As part of this tender, prospective suppliers will be invited to submit proposals that include opportunities to enhance the event experience including use of new technology,’’ said the report in acknowledgement of increased community opposition to public fireworks.
The council meeting tomorrow night will start from 6.30pm.
How cool would it be to have a drone display like at the Olympics instead of fireworks!!