Two Shoalhaven City Councillors changed their minds, and lodged casting votes to support the New Years Eve fireworks at Shoalhaven Heads.
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The quorum was split on Tuesday night, but a slight majority of councillors voted in favour of council contributing $5000 towards the celebrations.
Shoalhaven Heads Hotel owner Col Waller and various minor sponsors will contribute the remaining $6000 to ensure the event goes ahead.
Cr Joanna Gash told council a month ago that funding the event would not be fair on Culburra Beach, East Nowra and Callala Bay communities.
However, after “long talks” with residents, she had a change of heart.
“There are many young people in our community who are unemployed,” she said.
“Every event we hold employs young people.”
Cr Annette Alldrick also had a change of heart.
She said she had not been influenced by residents who used stand-over tactics to sway her vote.
“What hasn't influenced me is the threats of people who said they would not vote for me if I don’t support the fireworks,” Cr Alldrick said.
“Hospitality is one of the only areas where our young people have jobs, and events like these support the industry.”
Providing entertainment for thousands of tourists who flock to the area for holidays was the main reason driving the motion.
Cr John Levett argued a $11,000 for a 10-minute event was not value for money.
He was also opposed to the event from an environmental standpoint.
“Shoalhaven Heads is situated between Seven Mile Beach National Park and Comerong Island, it’s one of the last havens of little terns, an endangered species federally,” Cr Levett said.
“They breed in spring and summer, and likewise the hooded plover.
“These birds are susceptible to contamination and God knows what they think when the fireworks are going off and they’re sitting on their nests.
“Often they abandon their nests and the cats and foxes move in.”
For: Crs John Wells, Patricia White, Joanna Gash, Bob Proudfoot, Annette Alldrick, Mitchell Pakes, Greg Watson, Mark Kitchener
Against: Crs John Levett, Amanda Findley, Nina Cheyne, Kaye Gartner
Absent: Cr Andrew Guile