Inverloch's fireworks down at the beach, please

As part of the annual Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations in the future, Bass Coast Shire Council is considering dropping the popular fireworks as part of the festivities.

But before they do so, they’ll consider your feedback. Is it a must have?

“Your feedback will help to influence how we celebrate the festive season for 2025 and beyond,” said the shire in a statement this week.

“In 2022, we committed to hold fireworks displays as part of the Cowes Christmas Carols and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Inverloch, Coronet Bay and Cowes for three years up until 2024. We’re evaluating the impact and benefits of these events on our community to shape what celebrations will look like in the future.”

Inverloch business operator Fiona McMahon-Hughes is all for retaining the family-friendly fireworks display at 9.30pm, but like the Carols By the Bay at Cowes, she would like to see it down by the water.

“Being on early in the evening, there’s no doubt it attracts people to the town for the day. They go to the beach, come up to the town for a meal and then it’s not too long to wait for the fireworks at 9.30pm. Everyone loves it, it one of the highlights of the year for many,” said Fiona.

“But it would be really spectacular down by the water. People could spread themselves out along the beach. It would be fantastic.”

So, that’s one vote for the fireworks at Inverloch to stay. But what do you think?

In addition to community and visitor feedback, Council is also gathering information on the environmental and economic impacts of fireworks, plus events held around these displays.

The aim of this consultation, says the shire, is to balance the needs of residents, business owners, visitors and our environment, while also creating a vibrant destination for all to enjoy.

“During the last consultation, over the 2022/23 summer, we had over 850 responses to our survey with 75.5 per cent of the responses coming from residents. We also heard from non-resident ratepayers (12.21 per cent), business owners (2.12 per cent) and visitors (7.17 per cent).”

Upcoming fireworks displays are being held in Bass Coast on New Year’s Eve at:

• Coronet Bay: Sunday, December 31 at 9.30pm
• Cowes: Sunday, December 31 at 9.30pm
• Inverloch: Sunday, December 31 at 9.30pm

Once consultation has finished the feedback will help to form a recommendation for how Council celebrates the end of the year, and if fireworks are included, after 2024.

To have your say visit engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/eoycelebrations. Survey closes on January 31, 2024.