Newcastle Council’s decision to keep NYE fireworks display has been met with mixed reactions
Despite some opposition to having NYE fireworks, the City of Newcastle will still go ahead with its planned display saying due to a contract no savings could be made.
Newcastle
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Fireworks for Newcastle’s New Year’s celebrations, as well as other displays across the Hunter over Christmas, have become a controversial issue with some wanting them scrapped in favour of donating the money to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) or toward bushfire aid.
Lake Macquarie Council scrapped its fireworks display for Carols by Candlelight in Speers Point Park on December 8 due to the bushfire risk.
It donated $4500, intended for the fireworks, to the ‘Our Shout This Christmas’ program which aims to assist drought-stricken residents of the Upper Hunter.
Cessnock Council also lost its fireworks along with it Carols in the Park event due to the fires and smoke in the air.
A mayoral minute decided Council would make a donation of $4,500 to the 14 RFS brigades in the region, in respect to the firefighters and people directly impacted by fires.
And Singleton Council was one of the first to cancel its fireworks at Christmas celebrations, and instead donated $5,500 to the local NSW RFS.
The City of Newcastle will still go ahead with its New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular, subject to weather conditions.
“No savings could be made from cancelling the fireworks display as contracts were signed several months ago and display materials have already been purchased,” a Council spokesperson said.
“City of Newcastle is facilitating fundraising for those affected by bushfires and drought, including at the New Year’s Eve event by collecting cash donations for the Red Cross.
“We are looking forward to celebrating with all residents and visitors with the expectation to record the largest New Year’s Eve attendance in Newcastle’s history with free family friendly activities and live entertainment at our event site at Queens Wharf.”
The decision has seen mixed reactions.
“The fireworks are a reckless waste of our taxpayer dollars. Let that money do some good. Give it to a charity or RFS. Don’t just burn it - there are enough things being burnt at the moment,” one person said on the council’s Facebook page.
“Perhaps you could keep it in mind for next year and not sign a contract in the first place. We can celebrate without expensive, air polluting fireworks.”
“No fireworks!!!! Enough fire and smoke,” another said.
While there has also been plenty of thumbs up for the celebrations to stay as planned.
“Well done City of Newcastle for bringing the city together for NYE, the flow on effects create employment and tourism for the city,” one Facebook user said.
“People seldom think of the wider implications for cancelling community events such as fireworks displays.
Keep up the great work.”
“If you don’t want the to see the fireworks, then stay at home. Easy. Everyone who goes hope you all have a great time. A contract is a contract,” cited another.
Planning for next year’s fireworks event at Newcastle won’t begin until 2020.