I would believe a family orientated family day celebration of Australia day would include entertainment for the family, such as rides for kids, jumping castles and stalls and maybe fireworks. But all this does have an expense, who pays, the user does I guess. We celebrated Australia day in my own home with friends.

Ultimately the need to be able to sell grog will always win out over other considerations. Local government is obviously trying to avoid attracting drunks to the park or if present avoid setting them off with the fireworks.

What is un-Australian?

as usual the minority rules. Instead of responsible families enjoying a BBQ, a glass of wine or a beer while the kids run about.. the council become kill joys to prevent a few louts getting drunk and ruining it for all.... Its about time we stood up and said NO to the minority ! They can be removed from the events by force so the rest can stay and enjoy :)

Grog sales will always win as its a money maker for many people all kick backs to everyone. Except the ones in hospital, or the ones that are caught up in it all. Maybe they could of put a charge even did a walk around when it was time for the fireworks. Some people would donate more that others. The thing you may have to watch would be some of the drunks trying to get the money.

The day at Speers Point was very third rate and an embarrassment to the city.

wake up people u want us the ratepayer to pay for yr entertainment u want it pay a small fee if not you party at home without fireworks etc so enjoy the outdoors and forget the fireworks it scares animals and attracts idiots as well

Simple math... Just $0.50 from every can of soft drink sold at the event, say only 10,000 people bought a drink thats $5000 for fireworks alone.How many people attend-way more than that, and the options are huge to make more money out of this event. To say we are paying for it, well this is right, and i am happy to see an event like this put on with all the bells and whistles included if the kids are happy. Christ knows the pot hole out the front has not been fixed for nearly two years, what a joke. POOR event management is all we have to blame for this... there are a lot of options to make money at this event to pay for itself if not a good part of it at least. And if their cutting budgets for events like this where is all of our money going??? We should have these events put on for the local region, thats what the council are there for, to provide to the community and celebrate our area, our traditions. Life is to short to miss the enjoyable times... Why cancel them... I say to people, REMEMBER THE TIMES AS A CHILD, they are the ones we never forget, the good times.