Palmerston mayor not consulted as criticism of government’s August 29 Cracker Night grows
Darwin’s Lord Mayor has also vowed to write to Chief Minister Michael Gunner over the decision to move Territory Day to the height of the NT’s fire season.
Northern Territory
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- ‘Catastrophic’ risk of bushfires from August cracker night: expert
- Cracker Night’s fire season date fizzling as council urges rethink
FIRE authorities have warned this year’s fire season could be worse than 2020’s, as Palmerston and Alice Springs’ councils claim they were not consulted on the decision to hold Cracker Night on August 29.
A spokeswoman for Palmerston mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell confirmed the idea wasn’t run past the NT’s second largest local government before it was announced last week.
Alice Springs’ chief executive was also not consulted, according to a council spokesman for the Red Centre town.
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NT chief fire officer Mark Spain meanwhile urged people to attend public events and stay vigilant for any fires around homes, amid higher fuel loads in the Top End.
“The NT Fire and Rescue Service are preparing for Cracker Night, and will have an increased level of crewing on 29 August, as well as the following day to enable us to respond to any fires if they were to start or if a fire was to continue from the evening before.”
“The NT received above average rainfall during the wet season resulting in widespread grass fuel growth and consequently an increase in fuel load compared to 2020.”
Health Minister Natasha Fyles refused to be drawn on whether the date was a ‘captain’s call’ by Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
The August 29 date for Cracker Night has been roundly criticised in recent days by volunteer firefighters, City of Darwin and Litchfield council, with one CDU expert warning it could cause “catastrophic” bushfire conditions.
Late August last year saw “extreme fire dangers” across the Top End.
Speaking on Thursday, Ms Fyles said she was “extremely disappointed” that Territory Day couldn’t be celebrated on July 1 due to the Top End’s recent lockdown.
“We’ve chosen a new day, Territory Day will go ahead on a new date,” she said.
“Territory Day is about celebrating what is special, why we achieved self-government, and it will happen right across the Territory.”
Environment Minister Eva Lawler, on Wednesday said the government was continuing to consult with volunteer firefighters about the risks.
But Ms Lawler made it clear Cracker Night’s new date had been selected by Mr Gunner.
“I understand those concerns, but those issues will be looked into very carefully,” she said.
“The Chief Minister set the date for the celebration of Territory Day.”
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis on Wednesday said he would write to Mr Gunner to propose reconsidering moving the date.
“It’s absolutely bone dry (in August) … two months can made a big difference,” Mr Vatskalis 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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