Fireworks over Wollongong Harbour may go ahead from an alternative launch point on Australia Day. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
The full cost of Wollongong’s aborted New Year’s Eve fireworks display is a mystery.
It’s understood Wollongong City Council budgeted just shy of $100,000 for the event, which included the fireworks.
This is in line with other Illawarra councils – Kiama Council budgets $90,000 for its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
A spokesperson for the council said they were unable to confirm how much of those funds were lost after high seas swept a number of ‘shots’ off the southern breakwall of Wollongong Harbour.
“Our fireworks contractor is currently undertaking a full assessment to determine if there are undamaged shots that could be safely incorporated into a future display,” the Wollongong City Council spokesperson said.
“We are awaiting advice from the contractor as to how much of the display is still potentially viable.
“The council is currently reaching out to its insurance provider to understand what options may exist.”
A review of the Belmore Basin fireworks launch location is underway following the sea swell and surge that brought on the cancellation of the 2025 event.
The review will include fresh risk assessments for different potential locations to host future fireworks displays.
A spokesperson for the council said a fast change in conditions, and a lack of alternative launch locations caused the cancellation.
“A rapid increase in large ocean swells impacted fireworks launch points on the southern breakwall of Wollongong Harbour,” the spokesperson said.
“Various assessments over several years have deemed the southern breakwall of Wollongong Harbour the optimal location in good weather for launching of fireworks displays, considering visual impact, accessibility, crowd safety and control factors, and proximity to accompanying events and facilities.
“While it remains the preferred option, the council has previously carried out risk assessments on various other potential locations, including Flagstaff Hill, the northern break wall of Wollongong Harbour, and the potential use of an on-water barge within Belmore Basin.
“Following the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve fireworks, the council will review these potential locations to assess their feasibility as ‘plan B’ options in future.”
It is understood that during set-up for the event the rising swell swept some equipment off the rocks before the decision was made to pull the pin shortly after 4 pm.
The council spokesperson said the late change in conditions meant even with a backup it would have been difficult to move the launch location.
“Shifting fireworks displays of this scale and complexity requires considerable planning and implementation – including changes to risk assessments, additional licence approvals from WorkCover and landowners, changes to staff tasking and crowd management,” the spokesperson said.
The annual Australia Day fireworks display remains scheduled to take place at Wollongong Harbour on 26 January 2026.
The spokesperson said the council was working on a potential backup option, however, outdoor events were always at the mercy of the weather and an alternate firing point did not guarantee the fireworks would be able to proceed.
