Question
(2023 New Year's Eve Fireworks)
- Given that the ACT Government announced that a single 15-minute fireworks show at 9 pm would replace two shorter displays at 9 pm and midnight for the 2023 New Year's Eve fireworks, and that this was due to attendance numbers showing that the 9 pm time was strongly favoured by the community, for each of the past five years, (a) how long were each of the 9 pm and midnight New Year's Eve fireworks shows, (b) what were the attendance numbers for each New Year's Eve fireworks show session, (i.e. 9 pm and midnight) and (c) what was the total cost for each New Year's Eve fireworks show session, including the most recent 2023 9 pm New Years Eve session.
- What other indicators (i.e. community consultation results) showed that the 9 pm time was more favoured by the community, aside from attendance numbers.
- How many complaints were received by the ACT Government for cancelling the 2023 midnight New Year's Eve fireworks show (midnight of 31 December 2023 to 1 January 2024).
Answer
(1) The following table provides the requested information –
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 (Moved to lake) | 2020 – cancelled due to COVID | 2019 – cancelled due to bushfire |
Length of 9pm fireworks | 15 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes |
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Length of midnight fireworks | NA | 8 minutes | 15 minutes |
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Attendance 9pm | 51,827 | 40,503 | 41,232 |
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Attendance midnight | NA | 9,393 | 15,033
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Total attendance | 51,827 | 42,500 | 42,951 |
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Cost for 9pm fireworks show | $122,727.27 |
Total $122,727.27 for both shows. Unable to break down into 9pm and midnight costs. |
Total $90,000 for both shows. Unable to break down into 9pm and midnight costs. |
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Cost for midnight fireworks show | NA |
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(2) Independent research reports conducted by IER on behalf of Events ACT were utilised as the indicator. These reports revealed that out of those surveyed, 95.3% self-identified as viewing the 9pm fireworks, compared to only 22.1% who self-identified viewing the midnight fireworks. Events ACT's hourly density counts, and visual inspections also corroborated the larger attendance at the 9pm show versus the midnight show in 2022.
(3) Events ACT did not receive any formal complaints regarding the cancellation of the 2023 midnight fireworks show. However, there was considerable discussion, both negative and positive, on various social media platforms regarding the decision.
Events ACT did receive formal correspondence expressing appreciation for the improved fireworks display that took place at 9pm.