Litchfield Council joins Cracker Night pile on, passes motion to write to the Chief Minister over fire concerns

LITCHFIELD Council has joined the Cracker Night pile on, calling on the NT government to move the date over concerns of the increased fire risk.

Territorians can legally buy and blow up fireworks on Cracker Night each year.

LITCHFIELD Council has joined the Cracker Night pile on, calling on the NT government to move the date over concerns of the increased fire risk.

The council on Wednesday night passed a motion stating “that Council write to the Chief Minister requesting that the Northern Territory government heed advice from the Bushfires Council, volunteer firefighters, the scientific experts at Charles Darwin University and concerns of the wider community to reschedule the cracker night celebrations.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced earlier this month that Cracker Night, when Territorians can legally blow up fireworks, had been rescheduled to August 29 following a postponement due to the NT’s coronavirus outbreak.

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Litchfield resident Zoe Nelson welcomed the council’s decision.

“I’m happy that the Litchfield Council has listened to the concern of its constituents by passing the motion to move Cracker Night,” she said.

“The proposed August date, when combined with the issue of unmanaged dry gamba grass makes it an unreasonable and possible catastrophic fire risk for the community.”

Berry Springs Bushfires NT Captain Cindy Holden also congratulated the council.

“Cracker night in August would be a disaster due to the high fire danger rating, especially with the high fuel loads after a big wet. Moving the date is a good idea,” she said.

Gamba Grass Roots spokesman Pauline Cass Territorians were aware of the fire risk associated with the end of the Dry.

“Hot, dry, windy conditions, on top of high fuel loads from weeds like Gamba are a recipe for even more dangerous bushfires,” she said.

“Councils such as Litchfield and Coomalie have an important role to play in supporting communities – we want to see more active steps being taken by all levels of government.”

The decision by Litchfield Council comes after Darwin Council last week passed a motion to write to the Chief Minister to express concern that the August Cracker Night date be delayed until April 2022.

Mr Gunner rejected calls to change the date, but said he would take fire conditions of the day into account, as is done every year.

“The Dry Season is magnificent, and it also carries a fire risk,” he said.

“Every year, we have to take localised fire conditions into account when it comes to Territory Day, and this will be the case again this year. We will always listen to localised fire alerts.

“The important thing is that we come together and celebrate Territory Day for the first time in two years - celebrate everything we’ve accomplished, and do it safely.”

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