Happy Territory Day: $1600 fine for lighting fireworks | NT Independent

Happy Territory Day: $1600 fine for lighting fireworks

by | Jul 1, 2021 | News | 0 comments

Territorians are being warned by authorities that lighting fireworks today is a crime and anyone found celebrating Territory Day by discharging or possessing fireworks will be slapped with a $1570 fine.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the postponement of Territory Day 2021 on Tuesday, after extending the current lockdown by three days to 1pm Friday.

It’s the second year in a row the Territory has been unable to blow itself up with reckless, drunken abandon.

“We will not be celebrating Territory Day on the first of July, but we will celebrate it soon, I promise you,” Mr Gunner said.

“It is not cancelled, it is delayed.

“Once we are through this (the COVID-19 lockdown), we will name a new day and we will have one hell of a party.”

Alice Springs was forced into a 72-hour lockdown yesterday, as well, following a Tanami gold mine worker’s presence in the airport for seven hours last Friday. He later tested positive for Delta variant of COVID-19 in Adelaide.

The lockdown announcement followed the cancellation of the Alice Springs show earlier in the week over coronavirus concerns.

NT WorkSafe issued a statement yesterday to remind Territorians that the approved period for the sale of fireworks has been revoked, rendering the sale, possession and use of fireworks today a crime.

Fireworks sellers have already been given product, including to remote communities, but will now be forced to return them to wholesalers or prove to the government they are being stored properly, the government said.

“Revocation of the approved periods means any licence to sell fireworks already issued are no longer valid,” an NT WorkSafe spokesman said.

“NT WorkSafe is contacting all fireworks retailers to make appropriate arrangements until an official announcement has been made on the new date for Territory Day celebrations.

“Fireworks retailers who may have received their fireworks will need to return the products straight away to their wholesalers, or contact NT WorkSafe to discuss if your storage arrangements are suitable and apply for a storage licence.”

NT Police also got into the killjoy action yesterday, stating that the “unfortunate extension” of the lockdown meant all Territory Day events, including private and public fireworks will be delayed.

They also warned Territorians who were storing fireworks from two years ago to be careful.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said under the Dangerous Goods Act 1998, it is an offence to ignite, discharge or possess fireworks.

“This specifically includes people who may be storing fireworks purchased in previous years – old fireworks can be potentially faulty and extremely dangerous to ignite,” he said.

“Territorians should take comfort in that they will be able to celebrate Territory Day at a later date, and we ask that when that day arrives, you celebrate safely.”

Mr Gunner has not yet announced a new date for Territory Day 2021.

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