Wagga's New Year's Eve party plans could be back on with the city's councillors to consider holding a scaled-down celebration.
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The council canned its usual community celebration and fireworks a month ago as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, following the further easing of restrictions, Wagga councillors are now set to discuss a new approach to activate the central business district this New Year's Eve at Monday night's council meeting.
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the goal will be to enliven the hospitality precincts in Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets, to create "a family-friendly, festive and fun environment" for the end-of-year celebrations.
Cr Conkey said the area would feature street performers and emerging musicians in a bid to promote visitation to businesses, cafes and restaurants.
"They will rove through outdoor eating areas, greet kids, do circus tricks and create energy and fun," he said. "Two children's theatre performers will rove the streets and give away a free balloon to the children in the area."
The proposed approach to New Year's Eve - activating both the Baylis and Fitzmaurice main street areas - is expected to cost $35,000.
Thaigga Restaurant owner Robert Baliva agreed the council should be organising some type of New Year's Eve festivities, considering that restrictions have been easing for some time now.
He said the event does not need to be extravagant, but there does need to be a coordinated effort.
"Two things could happen, people will just go out on their own and there will be no coordination. It will be a mess because nothing is organised or no one will go out, which will be a shame," he said.
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"It doesn't have to be anything crazy. Make it a local event with local performers. Don't worry about food stalls, but let people come in and have something to do."
Cr Conkey's push for New Year's Eve festivities comes as another councillor looks to revitalise Wagga's nightlife.
Cr Dan Hayes will initiate a notice of motion at Monday night's meeting, calling for a report about changes to antiquated laws governing entertainment venues across the state and how it could reinvigorate the night-time economy.
The bizarre rules imposed on venues had previously restricted some from hanging disco balls and playing different genres of music.
"I think when we talk about the night-time economy, we think pubs and clubs ... but it is about trading hours in restaurants and what is there for younger people in a safe way to do it," Cr Hayes said.
"I think there are some wonderful opportunities for Wagga, especially for a town that has a high transient population with the defence, university, TAFE and medical students.
"Having a vibrant nightlife for people under 30 is a key part of where they want to live, but it has to be done in respect to the people who are living close to these venues."
The manager of Wagga burger bar Cave, Jason Crowley, said it is important future plans to boost the city's nightlife consider both Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets. His suggestion would be to allow more flexible alfresco street trade.
"You go to Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and even Wollongong, they all have great nightlife because it has that alfresco feel on the street," he said.
"I think there needs to be a little more flexibility from the council to give those people with alfresco street trade opportunities to branch out a little further to the shops next door ... to increase street visibility and increase that alfresco feel for the street."
Wagga's Que Bar reopened for the first time after seven months on Saturday.
Manager Chris Atherton said the response was much better than anticipated, having turned away a few hundred people. He said the massive queues showed just how important nightlife is for residents.
"Something we realised before we opened is that there has been seven months of kids turning 18, who have never been to a nightclub before," he said. "It is pretty important to us to show them a safe and good time."