Developer asked to put fireworks on ice
CRAIGAVON - A meeting between Galencia Properties and interested parties regarding the company's proposed fireworks display in Craigavon on 7 March reached boiling point.
The property developer convened a meeting between its marketing team, the contractor hired to conduct the fireworks display and Ward 96 councillor Matome Mafokwane. However, Mafokwane also invited members of the Craigavon community who were opposed to the display. These included Charmaine Zambetti, chairperson of the Three Rivers Residents’ Association, a representative from Fourways Vet, representatives from Randburg SPCA and Viv Elliot from Ban Animal Trading.
Dudley Wellen, the fireworks display contractor who also claimed he was a specialist in disaster management, addressed the gathered parties to explain that the fireworks display would take place at the tree line of the development site, and only shop-goods low-noise fireworks would be electronically ignited. However, this information only served to make the animal advocates more worried.
“The tree line is exactly where the bush babies live,” exclaimed Elliot. “This part of Fourways functions as a natural reserve for the bush baby and there are also owls and a number of birds in the trees.”
Randburg SPCA animal inspector Debbie Kegel said under the Animal Protection Act it was a prosecutable offence to traumatise any animal, either domestic or wild, and fireworks would most definitely traumatise the animals living among the trees.
Yet the biggest bone of contention was that at the time of the meeting, city council approval for the display had not yet been applied for by Wellen. The fireworks contractor said he would be applying for approval, and had already notified the SAPS Explosives Unit and emergency management services.
Mafokwane said it seemed to him that the majority of Craigavon residents were excited about the Galencia family day, but did not want the fireworks. However, Galencia maintained that since the celebration was part of Chinese New Year, the fireworks display was integral to the event.
Read our previous story, Fireworks display fires up residents.
Do you think it is wrong to use fireworks even if they are part of a cultural celebration? Let the Fourways Review know in the comments section below.
