Residents’ Request Denied, Council Backs Fireworks Display

Nov 5, 2023

Hawkesbury Council has the power to stop a controversial fireworks display in the Blue Mountains but has failed to do so despite the fire risk and risk to horses safety.

The first of two controversial fireworks displays at the Chapel Hill Retreat wedding venue went ahead on Friday night leaving local residents furious. Residents have tried to stop the fireworks displays from taking place arguing they are entirely incompatible with the rural bush setting and pose a significant fire risk and also a risk to the safety of about 60 neighbouring horses and other animals.

A letter from Safework NSW to a resident last week shows despite the distress and concerns of locals Hawkesbury Council has let the displays go ahead.

“Currently Safework NSW has not received a notice of objection from Hawkesbury Council regarding the above displays. SafeWork NSW can assist with information and enforcement should councils decide to raise objections when notified of fireworks displays. As this is a council matter Safework NSW advises lodging the complaint with Hawkesbury Council,” the letter from Safework NSW said.

The first of the two fireworks displays took place on Friday night. Luckily the dry and hot conditions prompting almost daily fire bans leading up to the event changed and wet weather tempered the fire risk on Friday night.

However local horse owners said the event was far worse than they had been expecting. They were forced to try to restrain their animals and stop them from running through fences and endangering themselves. At least one frightened horse ran through a fence when his owner was unable to contain him.

A video taken by one local horse owner shows a significant, loud fireworks display that went on for about 10 minutes, considerably longer than the 4 minutes residents were told it would last for.

“They were extremely loud and very high and they were only supposed to go for four minutes but they went on for nearly ten. It was so much worse than what I was imagining and I was imagining bad,” local horse owner Chris Azzopardi told the Hawkesbury Post.

He was unable to contain his horses. “I could only hold one horse and the other one went through a fence,” he said.

Hawkesbury Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett who had previously expressed concerns about the display regarding both fire and horse safety said; “I’m sorry for the distress experienced by residents and will be following up on their concerns this week.”

Last week HCC Director of City Planning Meagan Ang told the HP that Council could set conditions about the use of fireworks but didn’t. Instead they advised horse owners to move their livestock if concerned.

“Council is a notification organisation regarding the use of fireworks and can set conditions regarding the use of fireworks, but it cannot revoke the license issued by Safework NSW. Council has discussed with the event facilitator measures to manage and mitigate noise concerns. Landowners have been provided with advance notification to allow them to secure or relocate their horses if they choose to do so. Any concerns regarding fire safety should be directed to NSW RFS,” she said.

Lyons-Buckett had previously told the HP that imposing the onus of responsibility on property owners having to relocate their horses due to potential adverse impacts from fireworks is perceived as unfair by those residents.” Lyons-Buckett was not speaking on behalf of HCC.

An email from Chapel Hill Retreat to the Hawkesbury Post said they understand the concerns of the residents however were satisfied the company running the fireworks display Dazzle Fx were taking all necessary precautions required.

“We will be contacting our solicitor if there is any discredit that may damage the business reputation,” it added.

Another fireworks event is planned at the venue on November 24, 2023.