The mass gathering that is the New Year’s Eve party at Flagstaff Hill will not proceed this year.
Over recent years the New Year’s Eve on the Hill event has hosted about 1200 people but this year, to help ensure visitors and staff are safe, the event will not proceed.
“It’s with great regret that we announce that NYE on the Hill and the Chill on the Hill summer music series will not go ahead as they normally would,” Warrnambool City Council Acting Chief Executive Vikki King said.
While COVID-19 restrictions have eased over the past week, events such as NYE on the Hill are planned months in advance with Council making decisions based on information available at the time.
“It’s important to emphasise there will still be music, great food and refreshments at Flagstaff Hill over summer,” Ms King said.
“But we will be delivering activities in smaller formats.
“The COVID-19 pandemic forced many tourism and hospitality operators to rethink their holiday offerings and we’re no different.
“We encourage visitors and Warrnambool residents to keep an eye on the Flagstaff Hill website and social media for news and the release of our summer program.”
One of Flagstaff Hill’s long-standing attractions – the sound and light show – will be re-activated before Christmas with measures in place to ensure compliance with pandemic restrictions.
“And we’re certainly looking forward to a bigger and better Day on the Hill next Easter – provided it’s safe to do so,” Ms King said.
“The great commitment shown by all Victorians to do their bit to contain the spread of COVID-19, has put us in a position where we have much to look forward to in 2021.”
