9 October 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Glo Festival changes
Inquiry
I saw in the [Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee] meeting agenda last week and in a previous agenda suggestion of changing the Glo [New Year's Eve festival] format.
The agenda says: Planning is underway for a family night of entertainment with a single big fireworks display at 9.15pm. This new format is based on survey and operational feedback from 2017. Safety and security were key concerns with the previous event going to midnight. Tenders for the fireworks have been received and are now being evaluated.
So questions are as follows:
- How does the new format differ from the old? My understanding is the old had two fireworks displays, at which times?
- Why has a midnight fireworks display been removed? Is it not a staple in new year celebrations?
- Can I see some of the feedback/survey response which resulted in this change and illustrated safety and security concerns?
- When would the event under this new format run until? What other changes might there be?
- When will the new format be finalised, or is it already?
- Will there be any other public new year's celebrations that do run later?
Response
From Arts and Culture Manager Stewart Brown:
Rotorua Lakes Council's priority for the GLO Festival is to deliver a safe, family-friendly, free event for our community.
Following last year's GLO Festival we surveyed those who came to find out which aspects of the evening were most important to them. The research indicated that people loved the family atmosphere and togetherness, and loved the fireworks at 9.15pm (see the research findings attached).
Given that the fireworks was the key reason people came, along with family togetherness, this year's single fireworks display will be longer and more spectacular, and at a time that is attractive for families.
Safety and security was also a factor in determining the format for this year's event. Delivering two major fireworks displays within such a short timeframe is challenging and poses safety risks. Antisocial behaviour also increased in previous years once the first fireworks display had finished.
This year's GLO Festival will start around 4.30pm with a family movie, followed by a range of family entertainment with mainly local performers, and will finish with a fireworks display at 9.30pm.
Mahon's Amusements will continue to operate their carnival on the Village Green until later, and the bars and restaurants along Eat Street, and in other parts of the city, will also be open late.
We continually look at how we run/support events and we will assess how this event is received before making any decisions about future New Year's activities.
