THE Douglas Shire Council will organise New Year’s Eve festivities in Port Douglas after agreeing to the Douglas Chamber of Commerce’s request to no longer be responsible for the event.

New Year’s Eve festivities in Port Douglas promise to be the biggest celebration yet with an expanded range of family-friendly activities to precede two planned fireworks displays.

Mayor Julia Leu said Council’s preferred option to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Port Douglas is to partner with the businesses in the vicinity of Market Park which most benefit from the family-friendly activities and fireworks.

“Council contributes $6000 plus in-kind for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Port Douglas however we need to raise an additional $8000 in sponsorship from local businesses if we’re to have two fireworks displays and a family-friendly precinct in the vicinity of Market Park,” Leu said.

“We’ll be approaching businesses in the coming weeks to see if they would like to sponsor New Year’s Eve activities and have put together a sponsorship proposal for them to consider the economic benefits.

“Our preference is to build on New Year’s Eve in Port Douglas in its current location however if our proposal isn’t supported by businesses in the vicinity we will explore hosting our NYE activities in other locations or reducing the fireworks displays.”

The New Year’s Eve in Port Douglas sponsorship proposal is available on Council’s website and anyone interested in supporting the initiative can contact Council on 4099 9444 or email enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au.

“Council sees New Year’s Eve in Port Douglas as a fantastic opportunity to promote the region and encourage families to enjoy a break in the Douglas Shire over the holiday period,” Leu said.