Darwin Lord Mayor to write to Chief Minister, urging rethink of Cracker Night’s new August 29 date
The NT Environment Minister has claimed Michael Gunner made the decision to hold Cracker Night on August 29, amid fears of a ‘catastrophic’ danger from holding the event at the height of the fire season.
Northern Territory
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THE NT government has scaled back its enthusiasm for holding Cracker Night during the height of the fire season, on August 29.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has also said he would write to Chief Minister Michael Gunner to ask it to be postponed until April over public safety concerns.
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It comes after bushfire experts and one firefighter spoke out against the proposed date, telling The Sunday Territorian it was a potentially “catastrophic” time to use explosives.
Speaking on Thursday, Environment Minister Eva Lawler claimed the decision to hold the Territory Day tradition on August 29 was made by Mr Gunner, and that the government was continuing to consult with volunteer firefighters over concerns.
The decision was announced by the government via the Chief Minister’s Facebook page on Friday last week.
During a press conference later that day, Mr Gunner claimed there was always a risk from holding Cracker Night, regardless of it being in early July or late August.
Ms Lawler however acknowledged volunteer fireys had raised concerns about the event being held a full two months later in the dry season.
“I’m saying that we’ve heard loudly and clearly the voices of concern particularly me from volunteer bushfires,” she said.
“Those issues will be looked into very carefully.”
Ms Lawler repeatedly insisted the decision to hold Cracker Night on August 29 was made by Mr Gunner.
“As I said, the Chief Minister set the date of the celebration of Territory Day and we know that date, 29th of August.”
Darwin aldermen on Wednesday night voted to support a motion, voicing concern about the August 29 date.
Mr Vatskalis said he was concerned about the fire risk and would write to Mr Gunner this week.
“It’s absolutely bone dry (in August) … two months can made a big difference,” he said.
“April would be a good date, because it’s not raining but it’s not dry enough to catch fire.”
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