Randwick Council: Plans for new eastern suburbs fireworks display on hold amid fears of impact on pets, wildlife

A council has canned plans to hold an additional New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Sydney’s east, citing concerns about the potential impact on dogs, bats and other wildlife.

A council has canned plans to hold an additional New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Sydney’s east, citing concerns about the potential impact on dogs, bats and other wildlife.

Sparks flew as Randwick Council put plans for the $50,000 “Maroubra Sparkles” display on ice, in a move one councillor described as being at odds with the ethos of “social justice”.

The new fireworks display had been set to ease overcrowding at Randwick’s main fireworks display, which draws huge crowds of more than 25,000 people to Coogee.

After the council deemed that number to be above capacity, Maroubra’s Heffron Park – the largest park in the local government area – was proposed as a central location for an additional 15-minute fireworks display starting at 9pm.

However, the majority of councillors have now voted to defer planning for an additional display until next year, with some also calling for alternative locations to be considered.

The Coogee fireworks display, which attracts crowds of more than 25,000.

The move was prompted by concerns about the effect the new event might have on native wildlife, eastern suburbs homeowners and their pets.

Councillor Danny Said – a critic of the plan – said proceeding this year could have untold impacts on the community.

The planned Maroubra display was aimed at easing overcrowding at Coogee.

He said the event would affect “residents around Heffron Park and dogs and bats that live in the trees and also the plants there”.

“It’s a residents’ area (and) I can’t understand why councillors would be willing to let it happen,” he said.

Councillor Christie Hamilton was also critical of the plan, warning some animals were “really traumatised and frightened by fireworks”.

“I really feel like this is asking for trouble,” she said.

Randwick councillor Noel D'Souza.

But councillor Noel D’Souza has fired up at critics of the event, saying it could have brought the community together.

“The fireworks only last for a few minutes, and surely dog owners could lock up their dogs if they know it’s happening in advance,” he said.

”This is a matter of social justice because there are people in the southern parts of the local government area who may not be able to afford to get to Coogee and it’s also very challenging with access.

“Having it at Maroubra Park would be an opportunity for everyone to participate in New Year’s Eve.”

Mr D’Souza also hit back at claims the Maroubra event could have attracted people from “outside the local government area”, including those from the Bayside district.

According to a council report, the Maroubra fireworks event was aimed at boosting “night-time activations” as a “family-friendly community event” as well as “encouraging visitation” across the local government area.

“Hosting an additional fireworks site at Maroubra will enhance council’s NYE offerings at relatively low cost and provide more people with the opportunity to view fireworks and gather to celebrate the new year,” the report added.

It is understood Randwick Council had considered holding the additional display at Maroubra Beach, which was ultimately deemed unsuitable after police raised concerns over the location.

Funding for the Maroubra event would have come from the current $230,000 budget allocated to the council’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display this year.

The event – which would have been called “Maroubra Sparkles” – would have also had food trucks and live performers.