Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges’ new firework law has gone off with a bang of frustration for residents who are concerned about the safety of animals.
Council adopted the new local laws on August 23, which allows low noise fireworks that do not cause a nuisance or endanger animals, are not conducted more than four times per year or during a declared fire danger period.
Romsey resident Michelle Downs said the decision by council is contradictory and “ridiculous”.
“I think it’s ridiculous… It’s not even frustration, it’s completely and utterly absurd,” she said.
“They are saying they will allow [fireworks], as long as it doesn’t endanger animals, but it does endanger animals.
“How are [landowners] going to establish if there are horses or animals in danger around them? What’s the point of fining them if the animal is already dead or injured?”
During community consultation, council submitted four options for a public vote.
Thirty per cent voted for no council regulation, 22 per cent voted for the permit option, 24 per cent voted for conditional allowance without permit, and 24 per cent voted for prohibition.
Ms Downs questioned why council chose conditional allowance without a permit when just as many residents voted for prohibition.
“It’s fairly apparent to me according to the petition we put out, that [about 4628] people were against fireworks in rural areas in Macedon Ranges,” she said.
“I think it’s extraordinary that a council- with probably one of the biggest equestrian activities in Victoria- are still saying it’s okay to have fireworks on local and private land.
“At the end of the day who takes responsibility, the council is whipping their hands clean.”
Council director planning and environment Rebecca Stockfeld said the local law places a legal onus on private landowners and pyrotechnicians, and those found to breach the law will face significant penalties.
“Council’s local laws officers will respond to reports of non-compliance and conduct investigations as required,” she said.
“If animal owners are impacted by firework displays which do not comply with the new local law, they should report the matter to council for investigation and seek their own legal advice about civil remedies.
“While the majority… supported regulation by council of fireworks on private land, there was not clear majority support for an outright ban. Council believes this [is] the right balance for the community.”
