At its meeting on Tuesday, October 22, Murray River Council decided that the event will no longer continue.
Issues such as the significant staff commitment and rising costs were cited as the main reasons for the event’s cancellation.
Council believed that the focus should shift instead to exploring new opportunities that better align with the long-term needs of the community.
Mayor John Harvie said although the event has been a huge success, the strain on staff resources and ongoing costs required to host the event has become challenging.
“Despite the success of the event, it is important to recognise the increasing financial and staffing demands,” he said.
“The time commitment from council staff to organise and manage this event has been significant, limiting their ability to focus on other events and activities for our community.”
Cr Harvie also emphasised that the resource demands required to deliver the event are no longer sustainable.
“The unique location and rising costs of services and supplies also contribute to the challenge, requiring approximately 25,000 ticket sales and significant sponsorship to cover costs, which is an increasingly difficult target given current economic conditions,” he said.
The event first began in 2020 as communities were coming out of COVID-19, as a means of supporting local businesses and rejuvenating the wider community.
In the four years the event has been running, it has yielded huge economic and social benefits for the region, with the 2024 event alone bringing in $7.9 million.
The Moama Lights was also one of the first of its kind in the region and influenced surrounding areas to host their own winter lighting festivals which has resulted in the Moama event losing its competitive edge.
Looking ahead, council has decided to redirect its efforts towards new, innovative and sustainable events that will drive tourism and economic growth.
Cr Harvie said council is looking forward to exploring new ideas for the community’s continual growth.
“Moama Lights has been a special part of our community, and while this chapter closes, we are excited about the opportunity to explore fresh ideas and events that will continue to enhance our local economy,” Cr Harvie said.
Council wished to thank the community, staff and partners for their support throughout the event’s journey and looks forward to new initiatives that will benefit the region in the future.
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