Fury over decision to shift Australia Day fireworks to RNA Showgrounds

Brisbane City Council’s decision to move the Australia Day fireworks from South Bank to the RNA Showgrounds has been slammed by restaurateurs and residents alike.

HIGH-PROFILE restaurateurs and residents are calling for Australia Day fireworks to remain at South Bank instead of being moved to the RNA Showgrounds which they say will be “a fizzer” and “defies logic”.

Andrew Baturo, who runs Popolo at South Bank, The Gresham bar in Queen Street and Naga Thai in Eagle Street Pier, said keeping the traditional display along the riverfront not only benefited struggling businesses but also allowed the most number of families to safely enjoy the event from many vantage points.

“A lot of businesses are crying out for activity, and to bring people out and into the entertainment hubs where the rents are the highest but transport is easiest just makes sense,” Mr Baturo said.

Restaurateur Andrew Baturo. Picture: Jamie Hanson

“It’s not about being selfish from an economic point of view, but about spreading the love so all can benefit.

“I’d rather take my kids to South Bank or one of many other open air spots than have them crammed into a limited space – nothing against the RNA but the options are chalk and cheese.”

Businesswoman Cheryl Macnaught, who lives in a penthouse in South Brisbane and owns another multimillion-dollar property in Kangaroo Point, said the decision to move to Bowen Hills would result in “a fizzer”.

“People are hurting left, right and centre in and around South Bank, and who’d want to sit out there (at the RNA) where there are no breezes or views?,” said Ms Macnaught, best known for her joint financial planning business Whittaker Macnaught that sold in 2007 with $1.2 billion in funds under management.

“You can have 50,000 at State of Origin, no problem, so why not ask people to be sensible at South Bank?”

Businesswoman Cheryl Macnaught. Picture: Annette Dew

Last year’s fireworks display drew a crowd of around 40,000 people but the 2021 event was cancelled in October, due to COVID-19 fears, only to be reinstated in December after a $1m grant from the Australia Day Council.

In an impassioned email to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Ms Macnaught said businesses were “counting on a boost after a terrible year”, and COVID-safe guidelines could “very easily be put in place at Southbank”.

“Thousands of people usually enjoy small parties in their apartments that night also and view the fireworks from their homes.”

Ms Macnaught said retaining the South Bank event would also act as a “morale booster” to “thousands of compliant and cooperative Brisbane residents after a very difficult year, both financially and family wise”.

Fireworks over the South Bank Lagoon in 2019. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Baturo said Australia Day 2021 would “take on a historical significance” because people would be celebrating how well the country had done in response to the pandemic, particularly in Queensland.

“A lot of money has been poured into showcasing the Brisbane River from a tourism point of view, so to take the party elsewhere defies economic logic.”

A Brisbane City Council spokesman defended the relocation, acknowledging the South Bank tradition drew crowds to vantage points including at Kangaroo Point, Hamilton, City, Highgate Hill, Herston, Mt Gravatt and Mt Coot-tha.

“Social distancing is our best weapon against COVID-19 and unfortunately we cannot go ahead with the traditional format as we are unable to restrict access to every single vantage point, in line with the State Government’s COVID-safe requirements,” he said.