ENTERTAINMENT SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER.

Fireworks may be pretty to look at and may be entertaining for some, but for many others they are frightening and a risk to their health and even their lives.

Wild animals are shocked and frightened; often ending in injury or death. Those with PTSD or sensory conditions may suffer panic attacks and anxiety; potentially leading to self harm or suicide. There are also health concerns (particularly for asthma sufferers and those with bronchial conditions) and negative impacts to our environment.

BRIMBANK: IT IS TIME TO END THE USE OF FIREWORKS AND START USING SAFER ALTERNATIVES!

We call on Brimbank City Council to stop granting permits that allow the use of fireworks at events in our community. There are better and safer alternatives available, such as drones or lasers, and we need to see these become the only option for event organisers.

I have been in contact with Brimbank City Council to voice my concerns. I am currently awaiting a second response from council at the time of writing this. My communication with them can be found below in full. I now need your help to bring fireworks use in Brimbank to an end.

Please join me in calling for Council to cease granting permits for fireworks displays in it's municipality. Illegal fireworks have never been worse in Brimbank and they will be dealt with in accordance with state law; which I know seems like not enough. I endeavour to push for harsher penalties and enforcement of relevant laws in phase two of this petition.
For now, we can begin with council setting an example of the right and appropriate thing to do and that is to discontinue the granting of permits for fireworks.

Will you step up for the good of everyone in our community?

Follow my socials for updates:
https://linktr.ee/shannon.meilak

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On the 4th of January, I sent the letter below to key members of Brimbank City Council.

"It’s time to say goodbye to fireworks as entertainment! 

To whom it may concern, 

I am writing to you as a long time Brimbank resident who has major concerns about the use of fireworks in our community; both illegally and officially sanctioned. 

Councils who provide public fireworks displays are contributing to pollution, environmental damage and trauma to both animals and people. Frightened birds cover the skies, dogs bark relentlessly, hide under furniture shaking in fear, or worse, run away, and Veterans with PTSD suffer flashbacks which can result in them taking their own lives. Furthermore, fireworks pollute our air and our waterways with chemicals and debris and although precautions are taken, fireworks can lead to accidental grass fires risking lives, habitat loss and property damage. 

Having a dog that is not affected by fireworks, I speak to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for all people and animals who do suffer as a result of fireworks displays. The harrowing sound of birds frantic in the night sky as they were disturbed by NYE fireworks haunts me, and is a clear indication of the distress they are experiencing. A single burning ember can travel a great distance; setting off fireworks in a country prone to seasonal bushfires is both unsafe and unwise. 

With council sanctioning official fireworks, the message to the public is that they are safe to spectators and have no negative impacts on animals, people or the planet. As such, we have seen a huge rise in the use of illegal backyard fireworks, particularly in the Brimbank area. Quite frankly, the repercussions for using them are not enough. Penalties are far too low and offenders are rarely caught. By ceasing to exhibit fireworks displays in an official capacity, you send a strong message to the public that their use is not OK. It is also an excellent opportunity to educate the public on why their use should be ceased immediately. 

The media has been flooded recently with reports of hospitals and ambulance/paramedics already stretched to the limit. How many injuries will require their services due to fireworks? How many homes, who are unlikely to be insured for damage from fireworks, will be damaged? How many animals will be frightened, lost or harmed? Are the people that profit from the sale of illegal fireworks going to pay for property damage, personal injury, animal impound fees or veterinary bills? 

Backyard fireworks are, and rightfully so, illegal to use. But it is now time to cease the use of fireworks in official entertainment events. There are alternatives that can and should be implemented such as drone light shows; which are just as beautiful and entertaining to watch, if not more so. 

I have included some detailed extracts regarding the impacts of fireworks on animals, people and our environment. Please take the time to read the material and understand why I am writing to you today. 

I hope to see Brimbank take a positive step in the right direction, by ceasing their use and authorisation of fireworks in our community, and being a leading example to all councils in Victoria and the country. I very much look forward to your reply. 

Regards, 

Shannon Meilak 

Effects on animals 
From Animal Liberation. 

Fireworks can cause catastrophic suffering to all animals. From wild, companion animals, and those trapped in zoos – no animals enjoy fireworks. 

Wild Animals 

Bats and birds, who live and fly around the city, can be killed by the sonic shock. They will be, quite literally, knocked out of the sky [3]. 

Nesting birds have also been seen exploding from their nests in panic, causing them to smash into trees and other objects, resulting in broken necks. Birds who aren’t killed outright, die from breathing in the smoke from fireworks. 

The response of most animals is to run. This panic can result in mothers and babies being unable to find each other after the noise. 

Companion animals 

Dogs can hear up to 60,000hz, while humans cannot hear anything above 20,000hz, so it is little wonder fireworks can be agonising for dogs. Common reactions are freezing or paralysis, uncontrolled attempts to escape and hide, and tremors. Some more intense reactions dogs may exhibit are salivation, tachycardia, intense vocalizations, urination or defecation, increased activity, hyper-alertness, and gastrointestinal disorders. All these signs are indicative of extreme discomfort and stress. 

In the US fireworks during the 4th of July celebrations, more terrified dogs bolt and run away than any other day in the year. Dogs shake in fear, with others succumbing to heart attacks. Sometimes even their human companion holding them is not enough to quell their suffering. They believe they are under siege [6]. 

Note: Zoo animals are also adversely affected by fireworks, though may not be relevant in our community. 

Impact on the Environment 

From Science Focus 

Though beautiful, fireworks pollute the atmosphere so may not be the most green choice of entertainment. 

Fireworks propel a cocktail of chemicals into the atmosphere, many of which can harm both people and the environment. The vivid colours in firework displays come from metallic compounds such as barium or aluminium that can have negative impacts on animal and human health. 

Additionally, to produce the oxygen needed for an explosion, many fireworks contain oxidisers known as perchlorates. These can dissolve in water, contaminating rivers, lakes and drinking water. 

Impact on Humans 

From the US Department of Veteran Affairs 

“As beautiful as they are, the sounds, smells and shockwaves of fireworks can be triggering for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD,” said Annie Tang, staff psychologist at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. “These can bring up emotional and physiological reactions, and bring up trauma memories from the past, which can bring up intense anxiety and fear.” 

Tang explained that the brain is very good at pairing things, especially threat. Combat Veterans and those who worked in combat zones can pair threat with whatever was in that environment, including things they saw, heard or smelled. 

These pairings can continue after returning to civilian life. So, when fireworks or other loud noises occur, a Veteran’s brain can feel in danger. 

From the University of Birmingham 

Fireworks associated with festival celebrations such as Australia Day, China’s Lunar New Year and Fourth of July, in the USA, may have a significant impact on the health of vulnerable people – a new study reveals. 

Using fireworks during these celebrations generates anthropogenic source of air pollutants with significant impacts on local air quality, creating up to eight times the average of particulate matter (PM) concentration in the environment during and immediately after the event. Concentrations generally return to background levels within 24 hours. 

In the short-term, exposure to fireworks-related PM can lead to a worsening of respiratory illnesses, including asthma. PM and gases emitted from fireworks also trigger cardiovascular diseases and reduces lung function. 

PM is among the top global environmental health concerns and nearly three million people died from exposure to PM2.5 in 2017. Children, elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to health effects associated with exposure to firework related emissions. 

Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the Health Effects Institute, Boston, USA, published their findings in Atmospheric Research. 

Alternatives 

From the Animal Justice Party 

Options such as silent fireworks, drone displays and laser light shows have already demonstrated their ‘wow’ factor to crowds. There are suitable alternatives which can be reused multiple times with less environmental waste. “Silent” fireworks are quieter and produce less toxic waste. These alternatives still need to be well-regulated to avoid harm. When used responsibly, they can cause considerably less harm and damage than fireworks shows today."

The response I received on 06.01.23 from Mark Thomson, Acting Team leader - City Compliance, was as follows:

" Good afternoon Shannon.

Thank you for raising your concerns regarding the use of fireworks in the Brimbank City Council Municipality, both in terms of legal and illegal fireworks. I have been asked to reply as the issue of event permitting falls within the City Compliance Department area of responsibility.

At the outset I agree with the detrimental effect fireworks can have , particularly on animals, as the Animal Management Officers within the unit can attest to when they are faced with frantic and wandering dogs due to the discharge of fireworks, for the most part illegally discharged fireworks. In regards to the use of illegal fireworks this comes under the jurisdiction of the Victoria Police, both in terms of curbing their sales and their use. Council would support any extra enforcement, investigation and education proposed which is targeted at addressing this distressing and dangerous issue, such initiatives or programs would be carried out by the State Government, either via Victoria Police or through Worksafe or consumer affairs.

The use of legal approved fireworks is conducted by licensed pyrotechnics and is governed by Worksafe to ensure all Legislation is adhered to. Council’s exposure in this area is in granting event permits to organisations proposing to use fireworks. In fact the use of fireworks is an automatic trigger for an event permit within Brimbank. A condition of such permits is for organisers to notify surrounding residents of the discharge so that they can take pre-emptive steps to protect their pets in particular and to be aware of possible noise intrusion and any stress created.

At the current time Fireworks are a legal alternative for event organisers when conducted properly, as such Council must accommodate their use and ensure safety to the limit of available responsibility within the event permit system. Officers do, however suggest to event organisers during the event permit process if they have investigated alternatives such as drones or light shows as you have illustrated in your correspondence. Such shows can produce spectacular results without the wide spread detrimental affects you have discussed.

Council will continue to ensure they are aware of any developments or changes in Legislation in this area and up to date on fireworks alternatives that can be suggested to event organisers.

In terms of direct action by Council, Brimbank City Council does not conduct any Civic events that utilise fireworks, in addition to this Council also does not allocate any funds through its Community Grants program for fireworks displays, an event that includes fireworks may be financially supported via a grant but the use of grant funds specifically for fireworks is expressly not allowed.

Again thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns with Council."

I replied on 07.01.23 with this response:

"Good Afternoon Mark and thank you for your detailed response.

Further to my original email, I understand that legal fireworks are used through a permit system and that each application for a permit would be subjected to a strict application process, and due diligence would be taken to ensure all safety and legal requirements are met. Perhaps I should have made my agenda more clear in stipulating that I have an objection to any and all use of fireworks; as do many residents in the Brimbank community, and as such, would hope that Brimbank would move forward with a strategic plan to phase them out and cease their use all together. That would of course require Brimbank City Council to cease granting permits for their use.

Although fireworks, in permissible circumstances, are legal in the state of Victoria, that does not mean they need to be endorsed, in any capacity, by the City of Brimbank. Councils often prohibit actions and items in their municipality that are otherwise legal within the state and this is an action I hope to see Brimbank City Council take.

You have mentioned that part of the permit process is that exhibitors of fireworks must warn residents so that they may mitigate any impact on their animal companions (pets) or themselves, however, prior notice does not eliminate the harm or impact to our environment or to wild animals.

Given that these impacts; that is the ecological impact and the impact fireworks have on wild animals, can not be mitigated and given how many residents oppose the use of fireworks, I request that Brimbank City Council place an embargo on the use of all fireworks within its municipality and cease granting permits to allow fireworks displays in our community."