Fireworks cancelled

New Year's Eve fireworks will not be held at Umina Oval this year.

The cost of public liability insurance and lack of sponsorship have forced the Rotary Club of Umina to cancel the event.

Fireworks Committee chairman Mr Geoff Melville said the event generally cost $25,000 but this year the committee could not find any major sponsors.

"It got a bit out of control with costs and lack of sponsorship.

"In the end, we were chasing sponsorship," he said.

The news comes just months after Gosford Council doubled its funding for the event from $5000 to $10,000.

Mr Melville said it was with regret that the annual fireworks display would not be held, especially after five successful years and an annual attendance of more than 15,000 people.

He added that it was also unfortunate that the fireworks event coordinator, Mr Col Gooley, died recently after a battle with cancer.

"Col was a good man and was a terrific help," he said.

The club recently asked Gosford Council for $15,000 to cover the increasing cost of public liability insurance, but received only $10000.

A council report stated that the Rotary club should be encouraged to seek further corporate sponsorship and other forms of fund raising for future years.

The report noted that the event had been a successful family and community event.

It provided a family-oriented and alcohol-free community event and raised funds for youth on the Peninsula and the Salvation Army in Umina.

Mr Melville said he hoped another organisation would be in a position in the future to take over where his committee left off.

"In the end, a lot of our members were also supporting the event financially, and we were taking them out of their homes on a family occasion to help run the event," Mr Melville said.

"We did it for the people and the families of the Peninsula."

Last year, the event was the only New Year's Eve Fireworks display to take place on the Central Coast.

Lyle Stone, October 26 Council agenda CD.023, September 7