New Year’s Eve Gold Coast 2019; Council to allow fireworks displays to go ahead

Gold Coast City Council has made a surprise last minute announcement about fireworks this New Year’s Eve.

GOLD Coast City Council has changed tack at the last minute and backed fireworks displays across the Glitter Strip this New Year’s Eve.

In early December, the council axed fireworks at the Mayor’s Christmas Carols for the first time in its history due to horrendous fires tearing across the state.

It was thought New Year’s fireworks would be canned, but the council has determined they will now support shows across the region, providing certainty to residents, tourists and businesses.

New Year's Eve fireworks on the Gold Coast in 2017.

“Following significant rain over recent days, community feedback and consultation with QFES (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services), the City has taken the position that fireworks can proceed on New Year’s Eve, noting that the total fire ban is set to expire just before midnight at this stage.” a spokesman said.

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Fireworks displays will now be held at Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Coomera, Labrador, Paradise Point, Surfers Paradise and Varsity Lakes, according to the updated council website.

A total fire ban has been extended across parts of Queensland, but not on the Coast.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates made the surprise announcement on Friday.

Gold Coast New Year's Eve fireworks on the Broadwater. Photo by David Maxim.

“The alliances are keen to deliver the fireworks for tourists who are visiting our city, as well as our residents,” she said.

“It’s going to be a bit trickier this year because the local events may not be organised to deliver given the (total fire) ban that was in place, but that will be up to the local areas to work through.”

Cr Gates said she hoped organisers would arrange the collection of donations to aid those affected by fire and drought.

“We’re really mindful of how tough people have been doing it, with not only the bushfires but also the farmers have been doing it so tough for so long, and we want to give a shout out to them and fundraise wherever we can where there’s an event being held,” she said.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates.

In October, Mayor Tom Tate said the city should discourage fireworks due to the “obvious risks of additional fires being started” and fears high airborne particulate counts would be worsened.

He also cited the “social impact” of the city “celebrating with fireworks while homes burnt and livelihoods were destroyed in our hinterland”.