Perth’s Australia Day fireworks slashed after 37 years

Perth’s beloved Australia Day fireworks show will look vastly different next year with funding to be slashed in half after running for nearly four decades.

The city’s Skyworks, which attracted as many as 300,000 people every year, will be restricted to a much more modest show in Langley Park from 2023.

Funding is expected to be cut from $2.5 million to $740,000, according to the City of Perth Council.

The popular light show has been running for 37 years and was a major event drawing in tourists to the state, which has largely been cut off from the rest of Australia by Covid border closures.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, a former Channel 7 star, claimed what was ‘relevant’ two years ago was no longer important for the city.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said what was ‘relevant’ two years ago was no longer important for the city

‘It would be irresponsible to continue with the style of event that we had in the past when we know that it is possible to do it in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way,’ he told the West Australian.

Next year’s fireworks will be limited to just Langley Park rather than the city-wide show over the Swan River.

The mayor said the money saved would go towards other events like ‘City of Light shows’ expected to cost $795,000 per month between October and February.

This Australia Day saw 100,000 people turn out for the event, with Covid having a large impact on numbers.

Low numbers due to Covid and rising tensions over when to celebrate the national holiday is believed to have contributed to the fireworks display being scaled down

Rising tensions on the date to celebrate the national holiday is also believed to have had some effect on crowd numbers.

Mr Zempilas told reporters his administration recommended a ‘descaled’ fireworks show.

‘None of this is about doing any fewer events in our city,’ he said, promising there were more events yet to be disclosed on the way.

He earlier told WA Today there was a ‘fatigue factor’ with the annual fireworks show, as well as conflict around celebrating Australia Day on January 26.

‘I think sustainability and the impact on the environment is another legitimate question and it’s something that the City of Perth Council will discuss,’ Mr Zempilas said. 

‘I don’t think there’s any doubt that there are less people going out to celebrate or to come together as a group on Australia Day.’

The city’s Skyworks which attracted as many as 300,000 people every year for a city-wide firework display will be restricted to a much more modest show in Langley Park from 2023