NSW government stuck with 100 tonnes of fireworks until QLD, SA authorise transit to NT
A massive load of fireworks destined for the Northern Territory’s giant annual party has been seized by NSW authorities, stuck until other two other states give the explosives the green light.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A massive load of fireworks destined for the Northern Territory’s giant annual party has been seized by NSW authorities, with the NT minister begging Chris Minns to let the explosives go.
More than 100 tonnes of unauthorised rockets and sparklers were incorrectly shipped into NSW this week, causing SafeWork to prevent the haul from travelling on to Darwin for Territory Day celebrations on July 1.
After the act blew up in the NT on Friday, the NSW government agreed to backtrack and allow the fireworks to pass through, eager to shake its party pooper reputation.
However, the Queensland and South Australian governments have refused to allow the fireworks to travel through their states, meaning the giant bundle of flammable goods will remain stuck at a holding facility in NSW.
The Saturday Telegraph understands the two major fireworks suppliers who imported the shipment into NSW can only move their stock up to the territory through QLD or out west through SA.
With both routes firmly shut so far, the NSW government has tried to redirect the blame from angry Territorians towards its neighbours.
In a statement on Friday, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she had spoken to NSW Premier Chris Minns about the debacle and “alerted him to the importance of the shipment” for the festivities, which remain hanging in the balance.
But a spokesman for the NSW government claimed it was now up to QLD Premier David Crisafulli and his SA counterpart Peter Malinauskas to give the green light.
Once approval was given, the fireworks would be released by NSW authorities and allowed to travel up to the Top End.
“In NSW, the appropriate authorisation would need to be acquired from SafeWork NSW and then similar authorisations would be required in QLD and SA to allow the product to transit to the NT,” the spokesman said.
“NSW was willing to provide that authorisation subject to agreement from the other states.”
Fireworks are illegal in NSW unless they are organised for public displays and operated by licensed pyrotechnicians.
But on Territory Day, NT residents can legally buy and use fireworks for 24 hours without a permit and stores can sell fireworks to people 18 or older.
The tradition might be the event of the year for people up north, but a SafeWork NSW spokesman said rules had to be followed in the southern state.
“SafeWork NSW has a zero-tolerance approach towards the importation and sale of fireworks in NSW,” they said.
“It follows an investigation into a matter whereby a large quantity of illegal fireworks was seized.
“The matter is now under further investigation by SafeWork NSW and other regulators across the country.”
If the fireworks eventually make it to the NT, SafeWork said it would work with its counterpart in the NT to ensure “none of the fireworks … return to NSW”.
The SA and QLD government were both contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.
More Coverage
Originally published as NSW government stuck with 100 tonnes of fireworks until QLD, SA authorise transit to NT
Labor folds on pokie tax gamble
The Minns government has dumped plans to hike poker machine taxes for local clubs in order to pay for the rollout of cashless gaming machines.
‘Too much suffering’: Bid to boost business with carpark expansion
Parking will soon get a boost in a bid to boost retail in a western Sydney suburb where security cameras and lighting are also earmarked.