Fireworks suppliers have lost out in new Territory Day date

Fireworks wholesalers estimate they’ve lost tens of thousands of dollars in the cancellation and changes for Cracker Night, following the Covid-19 lockdown.

FIREWORKS wholesalers estimate they’ve lost tens of thousands of dollars in the cancellation and new date announcement for Cracker Night.

Territory Day festivities were postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak at a Tanami mine with the subsequent lockdown spoiling the annual July 1 celebrations.

Fusion Fireworks managing director Luke Caridi estimates he had spent about $75,000 to prepare for selling fireworks before the new August 29 date was announced last Friday.

Mr Caridi said cash was spent on marketing and advertising, the renting of vehicles and buildings and accommodation.

Territory Day celebrations will now be held on Sunday, August 29, coinciding with the annual Freedom Day festival, which marks the birth of the Aboriginal land rights movement when Vincent Lingiari walked off the Wave Hill cattle station and demanded improved pay and working conditions.

Fireworks importer Martin Brady was left in an expensive limbo as the government delays cracker night. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Caridi said while it was not ideal that so much money had been spent in the lead-up to July 1 he was glad to see a new date finally set.

“We’re happy it’s still going ahead but there are going to be challenges, staff, accommodation, marketing, getting back into the NT,” he said.

Mr Caridi lives interstate and had to return home for work after the initial date was cancelled.

He said setting the date almost two months after the original Cracker Night meant he had to fly home to NSW and now has the challenge of re-entering the NT next month.

“I have to come back as we have a warehouse full of stock," he said.

Mr Caridi said he supplied about 50 per cent of the fireworks for Territory Day and understood some smaller shops he supplied crackers to wouldn’t be operating this year as Cracker Night was on a Sunday – typically the quietest trading day of the week.

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“You’ll lose a couple of stores in the Winnellie area. All the Winnellie licences, they’ll pull the pin and wait it out for next year,” he said.

Fireworks Australia director Martin Brady said “it would have been logistically better if it (Cracker Night) was in the next couple of weeks,” after sinking tens of thousands of dollars into preparations already.

He said the industry was trying its best in an unfortunate situation.

“After being put off last year and this year and then for it to be put on eight weeks later and wear the cost and then to have it on a Sunday, none of those things are ideal,” Mr Brady said. “We’re trying to make good of what’s been a tough 18 months.”

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