Circulars

What’s new or changing

• SafeWork NSW has updated the 2008 Guidelines, which provide councils with a standard framework when deciding whether to raise an objection with SafeWork NSW about a fireworks display for which a council has received notification.

What this will mean for your council

• Councils have responsibilities in the management and use fireworks in their local government area, and these have not changed.
• The Explosives Regulation 2013 requires that as a condition of each pyrotechnician’s licence and fireworks (single use) licence issued, the licensee must notify the local council of an intention of use.
• If council objects to an application, it must inform the licensee and SafeWork NSW, which has responsibility for the licensing conditions of fireworks.
• These Guidelines are issued under s23A of the Local Government Act 1993, and councils must consider the Guidelines after receiving a fireworks notification.

Key points

• Councils must report objections and late applications for the intention to use any firework to SafeWork NSW.
• Pyrotechnician’s or fireworks licences are issued by SafeWork NSW by way of the Explosives Regulation 2013.
• It is a condition of each pyrotechnician’s licence that a notified fireworks display is not to proceed if:
  • any authorities (such as local council, NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW) that are notified of the display raise objections to the display; and
  • the licensee has not been able to resolve the objections with the authority.

Where to go for further information

• For further information, or to object to a display, contact SafeWork NSW, by calling 13 10 50 or email licensing@safework.nsw.gov.au

Tim Hurst
Acting Chief Executive