Darwin council avoids fireworks consultation with community for fears of misdirected criticism
DARWIN council last night shut down talks of consulting the community on fireworks, fearing it would leave it open to unwarranted criticism on an issue it has no control over
Northern Territory
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DARWIN council last night shut down talks of consulting the community on fireworks, fearing it would leave it open to unwarranted criticism on an issue it has no control over.
Alderman Robin Knox brought the idea to council saying she wanted the public to have more of a say on the use of fireworks on Territory Day, believing they could be used more safely.
“The public may decide, by negotiating with neighbours, not to set fireworks off in their street,” she said.
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“Some suggest not having some of the more dangerous or noisy ones. Perhaps there’s people with animals who get frightened by fireworks, perhaps we can have safe areas for animals where it won’t be as noisy.
“It’s a good occasion to have a conversation because (people are) looking at a number of things with COVID-19.”
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However, Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said council had no business asking the community about how fireworks should be managed, suggesting it could leave the council open to misdirected public backlash.
“To go out there and ask people what they think about fireworks, they will think it’s our decision and we will be exposed (to criticism),” he said.
“It’s not our area, we don’t want to get involved in something that we have no say over.”
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Chief Minister Michael Gunner cancelled cracker night in April because of coronavirus.
Alderman Rebecca Want de Rowe also questioned the timing of the talks idea.
“This is ridiculous for a number of reasons … we have had a crazy busy year, our staff are completely worked to the bone,” she said.
“The other thing to note is if we put it out for consultation, we’re going to have a lot of hate, a lot of anger coming to us, this is not our area.”
Originally published as Darwin council avoids fireworks consultation with community for fears of misdirected criticism