Still ways to celebrate Australia Day in the shire

The council has also scrapped the Menai celebration and is planning to replace them with several smaller-scale events in various locations.

A council spokeswoman said the shire's Australia Day celebrations were among the largest and most anticipated in the region.

"With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting our capacity to support large public gatherings, the council has been unable to commit to staging the large-scale Australia Day celebrations traditionally held at Cronulla and Menai again in 2021," she said.

"Council is however committed to supporting our community to mark the occasion in a way that adheres to whatever public health orders may be in place, with several smaller-scale events and entertainment options currently across Sutherland Shire.

Some small COVID-Safe community events are still set to be staged.

There will be family entertainment hosted in a COVID-Safe environment at Sutherland Shire Leisure Centres and roving performers and buskers at various locations throughout the Sutherland Shire.

The council is also premiering a short film 'Our People, Our Places - Our Shire', a celebration of our local community that will be free and live streaming on January 26.

There will be an online celebration of Australian talent featuring leading local artists Caravana Sun, Mark Vincent, Kim Sheehy, Luke O'Shea and Col Hardy, performing at popular and picturesque shire locations.

The Council's Leisure Centres at Sutherland, Engadine and Caringbah will host pool parties with live DJs from 10am to 2pm. There will be free entry throughout the day, but capacity limits will apply.

Roving performers will entertain from 11am Australia Day at various locations at Cronulla, Engadine, Kirrawee, Como and Menai.

"We thank the community for their patience and understanding as we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Protecting the health and safety of our community remains our highest priority," a council spokesperson said.