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Canberra Today 8°/11° | Sunday, April 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

No midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve fireworks at Lake Burley Griffin… only a 9pm show this year.

THE ACT government has cancelled the midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks at Lake Burley Griffin. There will be only a 9pm event with no show to welcome in the New Year. 

Assistant Minister for Economic Development Tara Cheyne says the 9pm fireworks will be a 15-minute display rather than two shorter displays at 9pm and midnight.

There will be three event hubs situated at “premium viewing points” at Rond Terrace, Regatta Point and Commonwealth Place.

Each hub will feature music from local DJs Boom Box 2U, while a synchronised soundtrack will accompany the extended fireworks display as it launches from the Central Basin and Commonwealth Bridge to maximise visibility for everyone.

“Past attendance numbers have shown that the community strongly favours the earlier showtime, as it is more suitable for families, ” she says.

“So, this year, we are consolidating the same volume of fireworks previously spread across two shows into one huge fireworks spectacular launched from the Central Basin and Commonwealth Bridge to ensure a great view for everyone.”

 

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4 Responses to No midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve

Lynton William Kelrock Stewart says: 9 December 2023 at 9:11 am

It seems to be penny pinching . Many businesses have built expectations around midnight fireworks The rational to concentrate them does not exist as the reason for fireworks was to bring in the New Year . The earlier time was for children and not matching the New Year tradition.

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Ella says: 31 December 2023 at 10:31 am

This is so frustrating. You’re revoking the ability for some families to attend the midnight one. I for one with my family, attend the midnight one and I know there are also plenty of other people who attend as it is usually busy during that hour. Some families may not be able to make the 9pm one due to circumstances that are unavoidable such as a job or they just aren’t free. No one is saying those families that prefer the 9pm one have to go to the midnight one. They can continue to go to the 9pm one, therefore the area still an audience there but now you’re getting rid of the midnight one and losing that audience. Why would you do that? It was perfectly fine the way it was before and everyone was happy. It really doesn’t matter if the 9pm is more favourable to certain families. As is with that time the midnight time may be more favourable to other families or it is just in their tradition. Everyone was happy with the way it was before there was no necessary need for this. Due to this change, my family and I will not be able to attend because some family members are unavailable and working. Thanks a lot.

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Tamryn says: 31 December 2023 at 3:37 pm

Guess traditions don’t matter anymore, what even is the point? We celebrate this arbitrary day which has no significance in the greater cosmos but it is our day, our celebration. This is further showing how out of touch Canberra is with the rest of Australia, and the world. Not worth the four hour drive now, we’re giving the ACT a pass this year.

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Emma says: 31 December 2023 at 4:49 pm

Well done, Canberra. Let’s have Christmas in April then. Traditions do not seem to mean anything. The fireworks are meant to be at midnight to celebrate the New Year coming in. At 9pm what are you effectively celebrating? What a ridiculous and arbitrary choice, probably to suit someone (or their family) who made the decision. Another perfect way to maintain the (unfortunately) poor reputation of Canberra.

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