Wollongong City Council has hit the stop button for planning for this year's Viva la Gong community event due to the ongoing challenge presented by COVID-19.
The decision not to move forward on the event for 2021 is in line with Council's focus on ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
"I am sure, in the context of the current lockdown and the numbers of COVID-positive cases we're hearing reported daily, that this decision will come as no surprise to our community members,'' Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"There is a significant amount of planning that goes into delivering Viva la Gong and we work closely with community groups, artists and creatives across our city on this popular event. We appreciate they, as much as us, will be disappointed to see it not go ahead. By making this decision now we are able to focus our attention on other ways we support our city's artists, performers and community organisations.''
Last week Council approved a COVID-19 support package that is deliverng a range of assistance measures for ratepayers, businesses, community organisations, tenants of Council-owned properties and our creative community.
The plan recognised that small business owners and others in the creative sector had been significantly impacted by the pandemic, and that due to the recent outbreak and related restrictions, events – including Viva la Gong – are being rescheduled or cancelled.
Council staff are working through the details of the package that proposes a mix of quick response grants, support for future events planning and delivery, an arts professional mentorship program and artist-in-residences programs.
"There are so many people in our community who are facing challenges due to the ongoing pandemic,'' Cr Bradbery said.
"It is important that we continue to focus on our community's wellbeing and support the NSW Public Health Order.
"While it's disappointing events such as Viva la Gong are impacted by the current health crisis, we are looking forward to a revised event focus once we get beyond this time.''
Details of Council's creative sector-targeted assistance measures will be released over the coming weeks. Updates will be provided on Council's website and social media channels.
