Whittlesea Council cancels Australia Day fireworks show
Whittlesea will join three Melbourne councils in dumping their Australia Day fireworks as a sign of respect to those battling the bushfire crisis. It comes just days after a Leader poll found the Whittlesea community was strongly against the use of fireworks.
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UPDATE: Whittlesea Council has pulled the plug on Australia Day fireworks as a mark of respect for those battling the bushfire crisis.
It comes only days after 75 per cent of respondents, or 1475 out of 2000, who voted in a Leader poll called for the council to scrap its fireworks display.
Whittlesea Council now joins Whitehorse, Wyndham and City of Melbourne in dumping the pyrotechnics shows due to the fires.
Acting chief executive Kelvin Spiller said on Tuesday that this year was not a respectful time to celebrate January 26 with fireworks.
“With consideration to the recent and ongoing bushfires, community feedback and emergency services staff who have been extremely stretched defending our communities, this is not the year for us to celebrate with fireworks,” he said.
Mr Spiller said the Chinese Precinct Chamber of Commerce had also called for firecrackers not to be released during upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.
He said Australia Day would still go ahead with scheduled activities and an awards ceremony.
JANUARY 20
The Whittlesea community is against a council decision to go ahead with its Australia Day fireworks display, a poll has found.
Almost 75 per cent of respondents, or 1475 out of 2000 who voted in a Leader poll called for Whittlesea Council to scrap its fireworks display out of respect for those battling the bushfire crisis.
It comes after Whitehorse and Wyndham councils dumped their pyrotechnics shows due to the fires.
The State Government also pulled the plug on Melbourne’s official January 26 fireworks scheduled for Docklands for the same reason.
Whittlesea resident Suzanne Teese said a fireworks display would be “disrespectful” to victims of the state’s bushfire crisis.
“I am not opposed to Whittlesea Council funding entertainment events — I am opposed to the use of fireworks and in particular at this time when we are currently in a declared state of disaster in Victoria,” she said.
“A fireworks display is disrespectful to fire victims and volunteers who are still suffering and dealing with the aftermath of one of the most savage bushfires Australia has ever faced.”
Ms Teese also said fireworks would disturb wildlife in the area.
“Mobs of kangaroos live in close-proximity to the celebration site — historically kangaroos flee in fear during fireworks — they become displaced and run the risk of injury,” she said.
The council will host the fireworks display along with other activities at the showgrounds behind the council offices in South Morang.
Australia Day celebrations were cut short at the Ferres Blvd site five years ago when one firework exploded prematurely, causing multiple spot fires on the vacant land.
Ratepayer Madan Daniel said the money should go towards charities helping people and wildlife affected by the bushfires.
“We shouldn’t even be talking about this as a choice,” she said.
“Australia is burning, and we need to direct every extra dollar we can find towards helping those people who are fighting for their own survival as well as that of others.”
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But Whittlesea’s Roy Pescarini said the council’s fireworks show should go ahead.
“When people lose their lives and when disaster strikes life still goes on,” he said.
Mernda resident Ryan Hogan also backed a fireworks display.
“Easy to say cancel it but here is the real question, would you be happy to cancel it and still pay the contractor for not providing anything,” he said.
The council’s communications department said the executive leadership team would meet this afternoon to discuss Australia Day and an update would be provided.