Traditional firework displays have an enormous financial and emotional cost to the community. After every firework display a large number of animals are lost, injured and unfortunately, killed when running onto roads in a panic.

The financial cost is carried by the whole community in the extra work involved for council rangers and the council run pound. The vet bills owners are faced with and in many cases property repairs.

The emotional cost is not measurable. The impact on animal welfare is enormous.

For a number of years low noise fireworks have been available, and in towns around the world are becoming mandatory by legislation. These are as spectacular as traditional fireworks but rather than the loud bangs that originally were intended to scare away evil spirits, they make much quieter popping and whistling noises. These, combined with laser light displays, can be set to music and be just as entertaining and beautiful.

Please, COGG, for the community of Geelong and the welfare of its' animals, make it a goal to transition to low noise only fireworks by the end of 2017.