Council adopted a new Fireworks Policy in March 2026.
The policy sets out when the City is likely to support a fireworks application and when it may object – based on a balance of environmental, safety and animal welfare risks.
Read the policy
Planning fireworks in Cockburn
If you want to hold a fireworks display in Cockburn, you need
approval from the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (DLGIRS).
While the City of Cockburn does not approve fireworks permits, we can either support or object to an application to DLGIRS on the basis of:
- Public interest
- Risks to people, property and the environment.
The City’s
Fireworks Policy guides how we provide that feedback.
When will the City support fireworks?
The City is more likely to support a fireworks application if it meets the following criteria:
- Duration: Displays should not exceed 30 minutes
- Time of day:
- Monday to Saturday: 8am-10pm
- Sunday and public holidays: 9am-10pm
- Frequency: Maximum of three fireworks events per venue per year
- Community notification: Nearby residents must be notified at least two weeks before the event
- Application timing: The City must receive the application at least two weeks before the event.
How the City considers environmental impacts
The City also considers environmental impacts for each application, including:
- Proximity to lakes, wetlands and bushland
- Potential impacts on wildlife
- Noise, smoke and debris
- Repeated disturbance at the same location
- Seasonal factors such as breeding periods or migration.
If environmental risks are considered unacceptable, the City may object to the application.
Does the City use fireworks?
The City has previously used fireworks at some community events, including the Cockburn Rotary Spring Fair at Manning Park.
Fireworks were last held at the Spring Fair in 2022.
In recent years, there has been a shift toward more environmentally conscious event programming. The City has been investigating alternative options, such as drone and light shows, and will continue to support event organisers who want to explore these options where suitable.
FAQs
Has the City banned fireworks?No. The City has not (and cannot) ban fireworks.
However, the City has a
policy that guides when we support fireworks and when we may object to an application.
Not in all cases. The City is more likely to support fireworks that are safe, have minimal impact on the community and do not pose significant environmental risks
Our
Fireworks Policy outlines the criteria when the City is likely to support a fireworks application and when it may object.
Yes. Before the Fireworks Policy was adopted in March 2026, the City consulted the community in August 2025 and received 244 submissions.
The results of the engagement can
be read in full on Comment on Cockburn.
The City cannot approve or refuse fireworks permits, but it can object to an application if there are significant concerns. The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety considers the City’s feedback when making the final decision.
Who approves fireworks in Cockburn?What about fire risk?Fireworks displays must meet strict safety requirements set by Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, including bushfire risk assessment and safety management plans.
Will fireworks be replaced with drone or light shows?Drone and light shows are becoming more common and have been used at events in and around Cockburn. The City will continue to support alternative sky shows where suitable, particularly where they reduce environmental impacts.