The Sunshine Coast mayor says she will push for the return of New Year’s midnight fireworks after a decision to scrap the celebration drew stinging criticism.
Rosanna Natoli told Sunshine Coast News she was dismayed by the cancellation.
“I am disappointed the midnight fireworks are not going ahead,” she said.
“I attend every year. In fact, I don’t know what I am going to do for midnight this year.”
Ms Natoli explained why they were canned.
“This decision was made in January by the former council, for reasons like safety to patrons, cost, environmental concerns and considering the Mooloolaba foreshore was due to be under construction.”
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But she said she wanted it back on the calendar next summer.
“Like any budgetary decision, this will be reviewed for next year, and I certainly will be arguing for a midnight event,” she said.
The decision to abandon the event attracted criticism on national television last week, when The Late Debate commentator Caleb Bond labelled council “an enemy of joy”.
Locally, Sunshine Coast Business Council chair Sandy Sandy Zubrinich said the cancellation “undermined” the region’s reputation.
Council unanimously endorsed the decision at a meeting in January.
A spokesperson reiterated why.
“Increasing costs and the need to ensure safety, community cohesion and the sense of place made the original program unsustainable without significant investment,” they said.
“Additionally, the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation project was expected to be under construction.”
The start date for that project was in May delayed until 2025, to allow more time to prepare for it.
Community surveys in 2020-21 and 2023 showed a preference for the 8.30pm fireworks over the midnight display, with safety cited as a top concern.
A current survey, open until December 20, will inform council’s consideration of future festive season programs.
The spokesperson said cost was a key factor towards the cancellation of the midnight fireworks.
“The 2023 New Year’s Eve Mooloolaba event, from 5pm to midnight, including two fireworks shows, cost $297,558 with each fireworks shows costing $25,000.
“The 2024 event, from 5pm to 10pm, will cost $287,000, with a single 8.30pm fireworks show alone costing $35,000: a 40 per cent increase.
“Adding a second fireworks display and associated overtime staffing and cleaners into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day would exceed $340,000.
“Council determined this was neither a prudent nor financially responsible use of ratepayer funds.”
The spokesperson said safety was a main factor and police had supported the decision.
“New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for all emergency services.”
“To ensure the safety of all Sunshine Coast areas, concentrating people in one area is no longer in the best interests of the entire community or our emergency services workers.
“This decision supports all emergency services in managing community safety across the Sunshine Coast.”
But commentator Caleb Bond, on The Late Debate on Sky News, lambasted the move.
“The Sunshine Coast Council have to get the nay for the day,” he said.
“They’ve cancelled their midnight fireworks on NYE. It saves them a piddly $53,000.
“This is a council with a budget of $600-plus million and they can’t spend $53,000 on their New Year’s Eve fireworks because they say it is neither a prudent nor financially responsible use of ratepayers’ funds. Seriously.
“There is the 8.30pm one for the kids but they can’t have the midnight ones.
“It’s not New Year’s Eve fireworks if you don’t have fireworks at midnight when it becomes the new year.
“Imagine being such an enemy of joy that you save $53K on the fireworks.”
Fellow commentators Liz Storer and James Macpherson continued.
“This is where people go in their Christmas holidays to see the new year in. Sorry guys,” Ms Storer said.
“If you try and get a meal on the Sunshine Coast beach strip after 9 o’clock you can’t find a kitchen that’s open, so I’m not surprised about the fireworks on New Year’s Eve,” Mr Macpherson said.
Ms Zubrinich said it was unwanted national attention.
“The Late Debate ridiculed the fireworks cancellation and went on to paint an unflattering picture of our region’s ability to support tourism: a very disappointing outcome as we head into our peak tourism season and seek to stimulate economic growth in the region,” she said.
“This is a wake-up call for our council.
“When a national media outlet is highlighting basic shortcomings, it damages our reputation and our ability to attract visitors.
“Cancelling one of our most iconic events only compounds the issue and sends the wrong message about our commitment to supporting tourism and local businesses.”
“The midnight fireworks have long been a drawcard for those visiting the Sunshine Coast over the festive season and this decision significantly undermines our reputation as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations.
“We urge the council to reconsider this decision and to reinstate this tradition in 2026.”
A free community event from 5pm to 10pm, including the 8.30pm fireworks, will still be held along the Mooloolaba foreshore. There will be roving entertainment, face painting, food trucks and markets.
