Fireworks have evolved with the times

JIM CARDILE is a fifth generation Pyrotechnician of Cardile Fireworks, a WA owned and operated family fireworks business that has been thrilling families since 1909.

IN a recent edition of the Fremantle Herald, opposition to the City of Cockburn’s draft fireworks policy was voiced.

As a local pyrotechnician who understands the industry and has invested heavily in environmentally responsible firework technologies, I feel compelled to respond.

Debate is welcome, but it must rest on facts—not fear.

Sadly, I believe the piece leant on speculation, anecdotes, and exaggeration so dramatic it reads more like fiction than evidence. 

So, let’s set the record straight.

Background

As a pyrotechnician, I know some people will read my words and assume bias.

But this isn’t about opinion, pride, or nostalgia. 

It’s about facts.

When it comes to public policy, emotion and speculation might generate headlines, but they don’t build sound decisions. 

My perspective is informed by decades of direct experience in the industry and reinforced by independent, council-commissioned science. 

My only aim here is to present the evidence as it stands, to separate myth from reality, and to ensure the community debate about fireworks in Cockburn is built on truth—not theatre.

Modern fireworks technologies

Today’s fireworks are a far cry from the outdated picture often painted by critics.

The industry has invested heavily in innovation to ensure displays are safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible.

• Low-noise and silent fireworks are widely available, drastically reducing decibel levels while still delivering colour and spectacle for the community.

• Modern fireworks are now low-smoke, allowing for more vivid, cleaner displays.

• Debris-less fireworks are designed with no fallout, meaning no material returns to the ground after firing.

• All displays are computer-fired, allowing for precision timing, lower quantities of product, and more efficient shows.

• Fireworks are launched from re-usable firing tubes, reducing waste and cutting down on single-use materials.

I believe these innovations show that fireworks are not static or stuck in the past — they’ve evolved to meet modern environmental and community expectations.

Addressing concerns

The following 10 points address specific statements in the article. 

The piece painted fireworks as inherently harmful, but the arguments relied on personal distaste, speculation and hyperbole rather than evidence.

To ensure readers understand the full picture, I’ve pulled directly from the claims and set them against the facts — the findings of the City of Cockburn’s own commissioned desktop review, along with the reality of how fireworks are managed in Western Australia.

1: “The harmful effects of fireworks is clear.”

A bold claim, but where’s the evidence? The City of Cockburn’s own 2021 Desktop Review found impacts are minor, pollutants don’t persist, and soil, water, flora and fauna remain safe. That’s science, not opinion. Feelings don’t outweigh an independent review.

2: “Wildlife in Manning Park is under serious threat.”

In my opinion, that’s a tired refrain. The review looked specifically at Manning Park. No evidence of long-term harm was found. Any vision of mass death, abandoned chicks leaping from nests, and birds colliding with objects en masse reads more like a Hollywood disaster film than a scientific assessment. If such carnage truly occurred “up to 10 kilometres away,” as claimed, we’d see it documented in wildlife management reports. We don’t — because it’s not happening.

3: “Toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and perchlorate…”

This is a favourite scare line, but it ignores the most important factor: scale. Trace elements are detectable — yes. But in concentrations far below thresholds of concern. The City’s own desktop review made it clear: perchlorate dissipates rapidly, and any heavy metals are present in negligible amounts. If we’re being consistent, Cockburn would need to ban food trucks, cars, boats, trucks and diesel generators and long before worrying about fireworks — all of which emit far greater pollutants every single day.

4: “Pets cut to pieces, animals killed…”

I really think this section crosses into the absurd. A dog “cut to pieces” leaping through a glass window? Caged birds breaking their necks against bars?

No references, no veterinary studies, no documented cases in Cockburn — just horror-story language designed to frighten. If the argument relies on shock anecdotes instead of measurable data, it should tell readers something: the facts don’t support the case.

5: “The desktop review is seriously flawed.”

That’s convenient. Dislike the results of a commissioned report and dismiss it, without independent peer review, or an alternative study presented, only assurances it must be wrong.

6: “Safeguards are nonsensical.” 

Limiting duration and notifying residents are dismissed as “nonsensical.” By that logic, speed limits don’t matter because crashes can still happen at 40kmh, and food labelling is pointless because sugar is still sugar. Safeguards don’t eliminate risk — they mitigate it. In the case of fireworks, they work.

7: “It’s like burglars announcing they’ll visit.”

I feel that’s an unhelpful analogy. Unlike burglars, fireworks are legal, licensed, regulated, insured, approved by multiple government departments, and enjoyed by thousands. Residents aren’t being robbed; they’re being invited to community celebrations.

8: “The noise is damaging and unavoidable.”

Noise is often raised as a concern, but it ignores how far the industry has evolved. Silent and low-noise fireworks are now widely used, reducing decibel levels dramatically while still delivering colour and spectacle. The City’s desktop review noted that short, well-managed displays do not cause chronic or lasting stress to wildlife. To claim that every fireworks event is a deafening assault is simply outdated — the technology has moved on, even if these arguments haven’t.

9: “There are responsible options that promote celebration without damage.”

Let’s be clear: everything we do and all forms of entertainment have some environmental impact — whether it’s the diesel from food trucks, the power for stage lighting, or the lithium batteries that make drone shows possible.

The economics also tell an important story. According to the City’s own website, the City contributed $60,000 on two 15-minute drone shows in 2021. By contrast, the City-funded Spring Fair fireworks cost just $5,000. To make the point clear, the contribution made by the City for the 2021 drone shows were equivalent to 12 years of fireworks displays.

With the Cockburn Spring Fair’s entire budget only $73,000, alternatives like drones or choreographed light shows would swallow most — if not all — of the event’s funding. Fireworks, by comparison, deliver safe, spectacular entertainment at a fraction of the cost, leaving room for community programs, amusements, music, and family activities. And this isn’t just about economics — it’s about equity. Fireworks are affordable enough for local clubs and councils to host world-class displays, like Hammond Park Football Club’s Fourth of July Auskick event, where hundreds of children enjoyed a night they’ll never forget. Drone or light shows may look fashionable, but they risk pricing out grassroots events altogether.

10: “Cheap should not outweigh harm.”

It’s important to understand that fireworks in Western Australia cannot simply proceed with a single council approval. Every display requires sign-off from multiple state authorities, including DFES, CASA, WA Police, the local council, DBCA, and DEMIRS. Each agency assesses its own area of responsibility — from bushfire risk and aviation safety to explosives licensing and environmental protection. Only when all approvals are granted can a display take place.

The City of Cockburn’s policy is just one part of this broader process. Fireworks are already among the most tightly regulated forms of public entertainment. Suggesting that council policy alone dictates safety ignores the reality: the industry is already subject to a rigorous, multi-agency framework that ensures displays are safe, sustainable, and properly managed.

Ratepayers deserve better

The reality is that every other council in WA recognises that fireworks, when managed under the state’s strict multi-agency approval process, are safe, responsible, and part of community life. Cockburn’s revised fireworks policy doesn’t mark a reckless shift — it simply brings the City back in line with the rest of Western Australia. 

Facts and consistency matter more than personal crusades.

Applauding the City, deputy mayor Stone & the Hammond Park Football Club

The City of Cockburn, and particularly deputy mayor Chontelle Stone, should be applauded for their now common-sense, science-based, and community-driven approach to fireworks. 

By acknowledging both the joy that fireworks bring to our community and the factual evidence contained in the City’s own environmental review, deputy mayor Stone has demonstrated leadership grounded in balance, not fear.

Equally, the Hammond Park Football Club deserves recognition and support for their Fourth of July “Auskick Under Lights” 2025 fireworks display. 

This event brought together hundreds of local children and families, creating long-lasting memories in a safe, spectacular, and environmentally responsible way. 

The smiles on young faces and the sense of community spirit are proof of why these displays remain such an important part of our cultural and social fabric.

Fireworks displays, when managed professionally and responsibly, continue to unite communities, celebrate diversity, and deliver entertainment that is both safe and sustainable. 

The City’s forward-thinking position and the success of community events like the Hammond Park Football Club should be commended, supported, and celebrated.

Opinion vs fact

Policy should not be dictated by dramatic anecdotes, exaggerations, or personal distaste. 

It must be based on evidence and science. 

Residents deserve balanced policy based on facts, not alarmist opinion pieces written to stir emotions. 

At the end of the day, fireworks provide joy, celebrate tradition, and are a safe and environmentally friendly form of celebration for the community. 

Some may rely on fiction, but the people of Cockburn can see through it — facts, community spirit and common sense will always outshine fear-mongering scare campaigns.

UPDATE October 16, 2025