Gold Coast City Council cancels New Year’s Eve fireworks, will move fireworks display to SeaFire in June 2021
The Gold Coast’s New Year’s Eve fireworks may be off but there was a twist behind the scenes. FIND OUT THE DETAILS
Gold Coast
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GOLD Coast City Council cancelled the city’s much-loved New Year’s Eve fireworks display without submitting an event plan to see if it would be given the green light to go ahead.
The decision announced by Mayor Tom Tate on Monday came after the State Government controversially allowed more than 52,000 people to attend Origin III at Suncorp Stadium at Brisbane on November 18.
The cancellation of the annual fireworks has split opinion online, with some commenters suggesting the display and associated crowds would be less risky than hosting the NRL match.
Others supporting the move suggested a laser show could be held instead and would be less wasteful, though such a display would face the same fate as fireworks.
Commenters also raised concerns about bushfire risk, despite the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a reduced threat this year due to a wetter summer influenced by the La Niña weather phenomenon.
Fireworks were cancelled in 2019 due to the Black Summer bushfires which raged across the country, but the display has been held in previous years regardless of similar conditions.
Cr Tate was asked if the government ruled out the fireworks, or if it was an internal decision.
Soon after, it was confirmed a COVID Safe Event Plan was not submitted to the Gold Coast Public Health Unit for a council New Year’s Eve event.
Cr Tate was also asked why having 90,000 people spread out at separate locations in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach for fireworks was considered too risky when tens of thousands of people packed into Suncorp Stadium.
“We have made the decision on our fireworks given the traditional viewing numbers are around 90,000 people,” he said.
“There will be plenty of festive lighting and city activations throughout so everyone can still enjoy a great night out in Australia’s number one playground.
“I’m aware of the long-term weather forecasts so far as rain but again, I do not want to risk any accidental bushfires as the result of a fireworks display.
“Our city, for 2020, will err on the side of caution.’’
Further, a city spokesperson said: “Our Surfers Paradise fireworks in 2018 attracted a crowd of 90,000, a number too large to safely manage under the chief health officer’s Covid restrictions.
“The City has made the difficult decision to not proceed with this year’s event.”
The state has gone more than 75 days without a case of community transmission and all recent cases have been detected in hotel quarantine.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said: “We encourage people to have fun at events covered under a COVID Safe Event Plan.”
“We’d like to remind everyone to stay up to date with the health directions in place during the festive season,” they said.
“Unstructured large gatherings are a high risk for the spread of COVID-19. This has been seen again and again during the pandemic.
“We continue to urge all Queenslanders to maintain a physical distancing of 1.5 metres – think two big steps away from another person – wherever possible. Please use common sense.
“Events are currently subject to the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction and must adhere to the COVID-19 Safe event framework.”
Outdoor events with 10,000 people or more must comply with a COVID Safe Event Plan approved by Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young.
EARLIER
NEW Year’s Eve on the Gold Coast won’t go off with a bang in 2020, with Mayor Tom Tate announcing the cancellation of the much-loved event on Monday morning.
“We do not want to jeopardise 2021 in any way. The borders will reopen to all of New South Wales and Victoria tomorrow and we will welcome hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers from across Australia,’’ said Cr Tate.
“I don’t want to risk anyone’s health simply for the annual fireworks. I trust people will understand and still celebrate the end of what has been a testing year for us all – and look forward to fresh beginnings in 2021.’’
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Cr Tate said last year about 90,000 people watched the fireworks in Surfers Paradise alone – a number too large to properly manage under the Chief Health Officer’s COVID restrictions.
He added that hosting fireworks during bushfire season and when fire bans were in place was “dangerous” and “not a good look”, especially considering how quickly wind directions could change.
Cr Tate said the council would repurpose the funds usually spent on the fireworks to hold a celebration post-COVID, possibly in June 2021 during SeaFire and in line with Brisbane’s Riverfire.
“There will be a time to celebrate, hopefully in the not too distant future and we will be sure to put on a fireworks display then which will also bring visitors from far and wide,” he said.
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Cr Tate said Major Events Gold Coast and Council would ensure the festive lighting and activations across the Coast were in place so people could “get those selfie-images”.
“But we need to abide by social distancing rules that still exist given COVID,’’ he said.
The Mayor said he was aware that smaller community events were going ahead with fireworks under COVID-safe plans.
“As long as they have the Qld Health tick of approval and follow the COVID-rules, I wish them all the best, but I urge them not to take risks at this time.”
According to the Queensland Government’s Explosives Inspectorate there’s private fireworks events at Main Beach on December 2 at 8.45pm and at Hope Island on December 5 at 8pm. A fireworks display is also scheduled for December 4 and 5 at 8.45pm as part of the Gold Coast Fun Fair celebrations at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport. On December 5 the Pacific Pines Christmas Carols event is being held, with fireworks at 8pm.
EARLIER November 24
BRISBANE and Tweed have already scrapped New Year’s Eve fireworks – but the fate of the Gold Coast’s much-loved displays remain up in the air.
Gold Coast City Council has been deciding whether displays, including any for Christmas, will go ahead in the global coronavirus pandemic.
It’s understood a decision will likely be made later this week, but the council was not able to provide more information on Monday.
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Fireworks displays did not proceed at last year’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols and New Year’s Eve shows were limited to tourist hubs like Surfers Paradise due to the catastrophic 2019 bushfires.
A range of smaller displays in the city were cancelled, but it was initially thought all displays would not eventuate because of fire risk.
There was an unexpected display in May this year hosted by the disbanded Surfers Paradise Alliance as a thank you to healthcare workers and to signal some Surfers traders were still operating
In 2020, Brisbane City Council has cited COVID-19 restrictions, which would limit crowds at South Bank.
“We know fireworks are a time-honoured New Year’s tradition but it’s about putting the safety and health of residents first,” Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said.
“Social distancing is our best weapon against COVID-19 spreading, so this decision is in the community interest.”
Tweed Shire Council also referred to the virus as a barrier to holding its popular Jack Evans Boat harbour display.
Councillors decided at a meeting on November 19 the council should “host free public events prior to June 2021” in lieu of the display.
The public events would be aimed at encouraging Tweed residents to “re-emerge, celebrate and engage safely with our public spaces”, according to council documents.
The coronavirus has also impacted Sydney’s famed Harbour Bridge fireworks displays.
There will be no 9pm family fireworks or activities and the midnight show will be shorter this year.
Crowd numbers will also be strictly controlled.
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