Dubbo's New Year's Eve fireworks became one of the city's biggest events in its inaugural year and plans are already under way to make it bigger and better.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ten months out from New Year's Eve 2015, the organising committee is already looking at how to improve on the hugely popular and successful event.
Part of their focus will be on making it easier for people to attend after almost 5000 people poured into Caltex Oval for the event, with hundreds still outside waiting to get in when the fireworks got under way at 9pm.
Dubbo Fireworks Inc chairman Peter Judd said the overwhelming response from the Dubbo community had encouraged organisers to make an early start on preparations.
"Last year was an exceptional event. We had nearly 5000 people attend and many more couldn't get in. We planned for between 1500 and 2000 on the night and we got nearly 5000 so we're so pleased with that" Mr Judd said.
"We raised nearly $5500 for Macquarie Homestay plus a number of other charities will be getting the benefits of the donations.
"This has given us a tremendous base to build upon for this year's 2015 fireworks and we have already begun planning for it."
The early focus has been on organising extra parking locations and transportation to avoid congestion. Mr Judd said Dubbo City Council had been approached about the possibility of using the showground for additional parking, with shuttle buses then being used to transport people to the ground.
"We ask our patrons to please plan a little bit better so they get there early rather than leave it until the last minute. If everyone leaves it until the last minute then not everyone will get in," he said.
Other plans include additional entertainment and more stalls to further increase the appeal of the event.
"We want to have a motor show this year, have a number of vehicles on display and a number of special vehicles, which we will announce later but I can say they will be special," Mr Judd said. "We're also having a water activity park on the site, which will be free. The whole event is orientated to free entertainment. There will be more food stalls, a greater variety of food stalls and we will also expand our mini-carnival."
Mr Judd said there would be more announcements about the event during the year.