New Year’s Eve fireworks will continue in Adelaide CBD

New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks in the Adelaide CBD will continue, but on a smaller scale than what thousands of people usually expect.

Midnight fireworks will continue to be part of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Adelaide CBD, despite the opposition of some councillors.

Adelaide City Council staff have been told to ensure fireworks remain in plans being developed to avoid large gatherings during the pandemic.

The council was forced to cancel its annual NYE midnight fireworks show at Elder Park last year because of Covid-19 crowd restrictions.

Council staff who met with SA Health and SA Police have proposed holding smaller events across the Adelaide CBD, including street parties with hybrid light shows featuring fireworks and lasers.

During a debate on Tuesday night, Cr Anne Moran and Cr Phillip Martin objected to large firework displays, saying they were environmentally unfriendly and more innovative ways were needed to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Adelaide City Council staff have been told to ensure fireworks remain in plans being developed to avoid large gatherings during the pandemic. Picture: AAP / Morgan Sette

This followed a call by Cr Alexander Hyde to ensure midnight fireworks remained part of council-funded celebrations within the city.

“The midnight fireworks are spiritually important to everyone in Adelaide,” he said.

“It is symbolic of us saying goodbye to the previous year and welcoming the new one. It is, in a sense, a celebration that we are together and we are still here.”

Under the staff proposal, the midnight fireworks display at Elder Park would be replaced by a smaller, ticketed show for families at 9.30pm.

Cr Moran said it was “quite sensible” to replace the large fireworks display at midnight at Elder Park with a family-oriented event.

“It is time the midnight one finished, we are not Sydney,” she said.

“We should be leading the way instead of burning things.”

Cr Anne Moran believes it is time to end large fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Cr Moran said fireworks seemed a “funny old-fashioned fossil fuel time thing to do”

“Surely we could be a lot more environmental than just lighting up crackers,” she said

Cr Moran said fireworks were “obviously sentimental” for some people but there were other ways to hold lighting displays, such as laser shows.

“I remember when we had fireworks at home and you were allowed to blow your own fingers off,” she said.

“That passed and I think this (big fireworks display) must pass too.”

Cr Greg Mackie said the staff suggestion to hold street parties across the city with small fireworks displays and laser light shows had merit.

“I am a big fan of activating our precincts,” he said.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor wants New Year’s Eve celebrations to be spread across the Adelaide CBD. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said she supported a plan to create new events for New Year’s Eve, which included “midnight moments” at various city locations, a large street dinner and the smaller family fireworks show.

“It is all about celebrating across the city and North Adelaide,” she said.

“We are not talking about 80,000 people packing into Elder Park.”

Councillors voted 7-2 to ensure midnight fireworks remained in the city, with a large show depending on Covid-19 crowd restrictions.