Crown ends popular night-time Yarra River fire show display

Crown has extinguished its popular Gas Brigades fire show, which has lit up the Yarra River for decades, as energy demands soar in Victoria.

Crown has ended a popular night-time fireball display on the Yarra River promenade as the “right thing to do” given current energy demands by Victorians.

The so-called Gas Brigades had their final hurrah on Wednesday night after being a feature of the gaming and entertainment complex since its opening in Southbank in 1997.

However, Crown will review the operation to see if it can be done in a more environmentally sustainable way.

Crown Melbourne chief executive Steve McCann told staff about the indefinite shutdown on Friday morning after the Thursday night displays were cancelled.

A view of Southbank and Crown casino’s Gas Brigades fire display on Melbourne’s Yarra River. Picture: iStock

“The Gas Brigades shows, which shoot the world’s largest fireballs into the sky and run every night on the banks of the Yarra, are one of Melbourne’s most popular attractions,” he said in a statement.

“Whenever prevailing weather conditions – gusty winds and/or extreme temperatures – force us to cancel the nightly shows we often receive feedback from visitors disappointed to have missed the spectacle.”

Mr McCann said the natural gas used in the shows accounted for a negligible proportion of the state’s energy reserves which Crown offset.

“Nevertheless, we thought that given the current demands from Victorian households and business that a suspension was the right thing to do,” he said.

It’s believed each show uses as little as $34 worth of gas.

Mr McCann said that during the suspension Crown would review the Gas Brigades operations, “which includes exploring options to enhance sustainability of the display”.

There were usually six shows a night, but no displays during pandemic shutdowns.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said it was  great that Crown had  recognised the current gas threat, and the impact on business. ”They have chosen to act responsibly to ensure that households and businesses that need gas will not be impacted,” he said.”We’d love to see the displays that light up the Yarra back as soon they can.”

Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle, who runs welfare services in the inner city, said it was disappointing that the shows had stopped.

“Attractions like this spark the interest of visitors, which is exactly what we need at the moment,” he said. “The more people we have coming into the city, the greater the benefit it will be for all of us.”