New rules announced for Cracker Night

Minister for Housing, Planning and Consumer Affairs, Felix Ellis, has used to today's Cracker Night event to announce changes which he says will cut red tape on the Tasmanian way of life.

“Cracker Night is a much-loved tradition for so many Tasmanian families, and we want to help them enjoy it without unnecessary restrictions,” Minister Ellis said.    

“The proposed changes cut red tape for businesses by removing unnecessary paperwork and having consistent rules - while also providing certainty for Tasmanians and their pets."   

The proposed changes for next year’s Cracker Night include:    

• Changing the firing window to a single, longer time slot (6pm–9pm);   
• Introducing a new category of “low noise” fireworks;   
• Raising the 200kg retail storage limit;   
• Increase the quantity of fireworks that can be bought by the public for ‘Cracker Night’ from 20kg to 40-80kg; and   
• Expanding the list of approved professionally display event purposes to include birthdays, conferences, award nights and weddings, as well as the discretion to approve an event if in the public interest.  

The proposed changes were welcomed by Shannon Palmer from Brightstar Fireworks, who provide the vast majority of professional fireworks displays in Tasmania.

“Cracker Night is enjoyed annually by thousands of Tasmanians attending private and community events, with 651 permits issued this year”, Mr Palmer said.

“The changes announced by the Government today provide a much-needed modernisation of the rules which will make Cracker Night safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

“In particular, the introduction of a new “low noise” category of fireworks will enable more people to enjoy Cracker Night by reducing the required separation distances from other properties and dwellings.”

Mr Palmer said that the proposed changes to the “approved purposes” list was long overdue and would provide an economic boost to Tasmania, particularly its events sector.

“Currently, the use of professional fireworks displays in Tasmania is extremely limited, essentially to agricultural shows, significant community events and cultural occasions”, Mr Palmer said.

“Bizarrely, you can currently get a fireworks permits for the performance on an artistic work (such as Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks) but you can’t get a permit for events such as birthdays, conferences, award nights and weddings.

“This means that we regularly turn away interstate and international business groups and organisations looking to include a fireworks display.

“We have no doubt updating the approved purposes list as proposed by the Government will lead to increased economic activity in Tasmania’s conference and events sector.”

Originally held to mark Commonwealth Day, “Cracker Night” is celebrated on 24th May each year, or if that is not a Saturday, on the following Saturday.

Minister Ellis said that a consultation paper is being prepared on the proposed changes to fireworks rules and the operation of the Explosives Regulations with stakeholder and community consultation  following its release.  

A full list of Cracker Night permits and important safety information about fireworks are available on the WorkSafe Tasmania website - https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/licensing-permits-and-registration/fireworks-permits