PENELOPE BRADSHAW is a Cockburn resident and a psychologist for over 20 years, from which she is currently taking a well-deserved break. Passionate and active in animal and environmental welfare issues, she’s co-authored articles for conservation journals on the dangers of fireworks. Penelope is now concerned Cockburn Council is proposing to reintroduce them.

COCKBURN’S deputy mayor Chontelle Stone reported in a recent article (“Permission to sparkle,” Herald, May 2025) that she is “absolutely delighted to welcome the return of fireworks to the City of Cockburn” and enthused about lighting the night sky, by allowing fireworks back under ‘safeguards’.

However, the reality is in conflict; the harmful effects of fireworks is clear.

Over the period of 2021 and 2022 I met with, provided research, and a petition to, the City of Cockburn demonstrating the need to ban fireworks, and the community swell against their use. 

The campaign centred on the Spring Fair in Manning Park, home to hundreds of species of wildlife, including endangered breeds. 

In turn, the City ceased firework displays and wrote to me in an email dated September 6, 2022 that stated, “I can confirm that this will be the final year of fireworks”. 

Now that decision appears poised to reverse, and Cockburn council are asking for comments about returning fireworks, to be made at their website ‘Comment on Cockburn’ by 29 August 2025. 

I encourage the community to again comment since the wildlife and environment protected for the last few years is once more under serious threat.

Damage to the environment and animals is evident. 

Toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and perchlorate fall to the ground and waterways, and are inhaled causing respiratory illness in humans. 

The toxic accumulation suspended in the atmosphere and falling into soil and water is damaging to plant, animal, and insect life.

The high decibel level of explosions cause damage to the hearing of animals. 

Waterbirds

Waterbirds are particularly sensitive to the flashing lights. 

The shock from the noise and light send thousands of wildlife fleeing in terror, some do not return, become disorientated, or roadkill, and birds especially are prone to death from striking objects as they flee. 

In spring, babies are abandoned in the nest and chicks leap to their death.

Wildlife and veterinary reports reveal animals and birds in cages are killed trying to escape, breaking their necks against the bars. 

Runaway pets become lost, can develop lifelong phobias, and in one report a dog was cut to pieces jumping through a glass window. 

These events can occur kilometres from the firework site and birds can be affected up to 10 kilometres away.  

In 2021 Cockburn council commissioned a desktop review of fireworks. 

This review is seriously flawed, and one on which council still relies. 

One claim was that fireworks are no different to thunderstorms.

But fireworks are nothing like the predictable noise of nature. 

Thunderstorms create changes in air pressure that animals can detect and anticipate. 

For animals, fireworks are unnatural not dissimilar to bomb blasts and being unforeseen create greater panic. 

Unsurprisingly for veterans and refugees of war, fireworks are reminders of the missiles, gun fire and smoke of combat, and highly re-traumatising.  

To return fireworks under new proposals that create “safeguards”, fails logic. 

The composition of fireworks is fundamentally one of toxic chemicals, bright lights, and explosives, including silent fireworks. 

No safe management of fireworks can undo this. 

Council’s safeguards include that fireworks remain under 30 minutes, and that residents are notified of an upcoming firework event. 

This is nonsensical, two minutes or twenty minutes does harm. 

The first instant a blast is sounded the terrified animals freeze or attempt escape. 

Limiting the time does not remove panic and injury, and only insubstantially limits the volume of toxic particulates.

Toxic

As for notifying residents prior to an event, this is no serious safety measure.  It’s no different than burglars notifying residents they will be visiting the area soon.

There is little in reasoning for fireworks, given the serious consequences. 

And I am surprised many displays are not in breach of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007, under which permits can be refused where environmental impact has been declared. 

Fireworks are often used because they are relatively cheap entertainment, but cheap should not outweigh harm. 

Providing entertainment is not in question.

There are responsible options that promote celebration without damage. 

It’s easy to make statements about fireworks being fun events, it’s nostalgic and portrayed as popular.  

Consequently, to argue against fireworks can be an unpopular position, but an imperative one.