Toowoomba Regional Council cans New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Queens Park amid recent bushfires

Toowoomba Regional Council has scrapped its traditional fireworks display for New Year’s Eve, citing that a ‘fire centred celebration’ would be insensitive following a recent spate of bushfires.

Toowoomba’s Queens Park will not be lit up by fireworks on New Year’s Eve, with the council scrapping a display due to perceived insensitivities.

Councillor James O’Shea said the removal of fireworks, a staple of NYE celebrations in the Garden City, was based on feedback from the community.

Mr O’Shea said the “difficult decision” came after the region suffered an early start to bushfire season, which saw several communities targeted.

“The feedback TRC has received recently in relation to the ongoing dry summer, including the fact that we’ve already seen several serious bush fires and fire bans across our region during the past few months, has meant we’ve put a pause on fireworks in Queens Park for New Year's Eve this year,” he said.

“Out of respect to our own local and neighbouring communities that have been devastatingly affected by fires in recent months, a fire centred celebration could be considered insensitive by some.”

The fireworks at Queens Park on Saturday night provide an explosive end of the 2013 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Contributed Grant Rolph

Mr O’Shea said families could still enjoy a number of events to ring in the New Year, including at the Jondaryan Woolshed, City Golf Club and the Toowoomba Turf Club’s King of the Mountain.

“Jondaryan Woolshed will play host to a New Year's Eve bush dance and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get along to this iconic venue to see in the New Year,” he said.

“There will be a traditional camp oven, bush bands and a New Year’s Day breakfast cook up for those camping over and taking advantage of the Woolshed caravan park on-site.

“The City Golf Club will have fireworks at 9pm and midnight along with live entertainment and a barbecue themed menu at its NYE western event.

“The King of the Mountain is fast becoming known as one the great regional Queensland race events, inspired by the renowned ‘The Everest’, and will this year be run on Monday January 1.”

For a list of NYE events in Toowoomba, head to the council’s website.