TAMWORTH is rallying to end 2016 with a bang as ratepayers push council to put on a fireworks display and New Year’s Eve celebration in the city.
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A petition has been circulated online calling on council to change its tune and fork out some cash for an end-of-year party.
Kirstyn Sampson launched the petition in search of 200 signatures supporting a fireworks extravaganza in Tamworth on New Year’s Eve.
Ms Sampson was “dumbfounded” to learn TRC doesn’t celebrate New Year’s Eve, “possibly the biggest celebration of the year”.
“This is because council decided to put all its fireworks funding into the country music festival so that tourists get all the enjoyment,” she said.
“This is not fair to the locals who should be rewarded for (their) hard work all year.”
Ms Sampson said it was “disgraceful on behalf of the Tamworth council” and change was needed.
While a number of residents have backed Ms Sampson’s call for fireworks to mark the end of the year, some approached the petition with caution on Facebook.
“Fireworks is literally money, our money as ratepayers, up in smoke. However, if there were to be fireworks midnight isn't the time, 9pm is much more appropriate for a family friendly event,” Nicole Parkinson said.
“Waste of money and fireworks can be devastating to dogs,” Yasmine Marshall said.
TRC mayor Col Murray said the community’s economic return from the investment into the country music festival couldn’t be ignored.
“It doesn’t represent a massive part of the community,” Cr Murray said of the petition’s response to date.
“But, it’s as good as any way to bring about a change. It’s one of those tough decisions council has to make.”
The mayor said it was a recurring issue and hadn’t been formally discussed, but a hefty petition could force a change.
“If there’s a reasonable number of signatures,” he said. “There’s something like 34,000 adults in the region, so what percentage of that is a reasonable amount?”