And then the Sydney council says "it will yield $132 million", just tells that only money prevails.
Of course money prevails. Of course. Our economy is in a pretty bad shape now (RBA interest rate is 0.75%) and you need to be insane for ditching $132M. Millions of people are coming to see NYE fireworks and it's not their fault we have bushfires. So if we suddenly cancel that big event they will go back home disappointed and tell everyone about their experience. So the next year much less people will come bringing much less money because why you need to go there if councils are not reliable. Cancelling at Parramatta is probably not a big deal as it's local and not the major event. And personally I'd like my area to be quiet - I've got pets who are scared of fireworks. But when you have events that have such a big impact on economy you need to think twice, three time, ten times before making decisions. It's not just one-time event. It has great impact on our economy, reputation etc. It's a source of money for roads, public schools etc.
How many fire brigade resources are going to be diverted to oversee the Gladys' show........ should the fireworks cause a fire in the surrounding area will we see Gladys on the end of a hose.....
If the tourists are going to boycott Australia because a 15minute fireworks show is cancelled then perhaps we don't want those tourists here anyway...
You can't have an outdoor barbecue but you can blow up tons of gunpowder over Sydney.......... get a grip..... if the people really want to see fireworks perhaps they could go to Caseys Beach near Batemans Bay where my family members have been told to go stand on the beach for safety as the whole area is surrounded by a fast approaching mega fire and all roads out are closed..... tell them how important it is to provide entertainment for Chinese tourists....
If the tourists are going to boycott Australia because a 15minute fireworks show is cancelled then perhaps we don't want those tourists here anyway...
Oh, yes, you do need them. Because tourist industry is a huge part of Australian economy. It's quite easy to be offended and say "we don't want those tourists here anyway", but in reality you do need them here for many reasons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainmaker
You can't have an outdoor barbecue but you can blow up tons of gunpowder over Sydney..........
I would bet the RFS have far more concerns about grog laden idiots (and others) who may have their own supply of fireworks at midnight, even with a total fire ban.
Donate the $132 million to fight the fires and I have NO problem.
Donate even half, I have no problem.
Fix the MAJOR issue, then go have your fireworks to celebrate when the fires are all extinguished.
One of ours here - Ian Fry - is out there every day fighting these fires. Think of him as you oooh and ahhhh over the red and green pretty lights. Moronic really.
My take on this
Watching NYE on ABC live tonight from the middle of a eucalyptus forest and encouraged to see opportunities for people to dig in and help through the Red Cross.
Regardless of whether or not the fireworks should take place, tourist dollars and all the other good reasons not to do this, this is a great platform for sharing with people what’s going on and encouraging people to support those affected by the fires.
Dig deep people cos we know the government of the day won’t.
Oh, yes, you do need them. Because tourist industry is a huge part of Australian economy. It's quite easy to be offended and say "we don't want those tourists here anyway", but in reality you do need them here for many reasons.
I think they should (and did) go ahead, I’m glad they did......
1. As long as it is safe to do so
2. If they are relevant ie they generate revenue, make people happy, are not offensive etc.
3. A lot of tourists (local and overseas) make a huge commitment to visit these fireworks often at huge expense.
I watched the Sydney fireworks on tv, and saw the Darwin ones live. I enjoyed them immensely as I always do. So did my wife and children. Does that mean I disrespect the people, wildlife and property affected by the bush fires, of course not. I have friends affected. My thoughts and support are with all those affected. Is it possible and appropriate to be able to dissociate the two....of course, that is life, we make those choices every day.
Finally, I don’t like the xenophobic slant these general threads sometimes take.
What do the Chinese have to do with the price of butter? So why single them out, it is offensive! While they are the largest group of tourists by OVERSEAS nation, they only just beat the Kiwis, and overall make up about 15% of OVERSEAS tourists....so NO the fireworks are not to please Chinese tourists but statistically more likely for the other 85% of OVERSEAS tourists. In fact the biggest proportion (obviously) are local!
Donate the $132 million to fight the fires and I have NO problem.
Donate even half, I have no problem.
Fix the MAJOR issue, then go have your fireworks to celebrate when the fires are all extinguished.
One of ours here - Ian Fry - is out there every day fighting these fires. Think of him as you oooh and ahhhh over the red and green pretty lights. Moronic really.
Words of wisdom,$132 million on fireworks as there has been lost lives at risk of loosing lives and property and a portion of that kind of money could be used for fighting fires and preventative solutions in the future.
We have to start seeing things for what they really are and stop trying to justify $132 million spent so.....
Words of wisdom,$132 million on fireworks as there has been lost lives at risk of loosing lives and property and a portion of that kind of money could be used for fighting fires and preventative solutions in the future.
We have to start seeing things for what they really are and stop trying to justify $132 million spent so.....
We could use the money for other things I suppose but they certainly make more money than they cost.
If we are going to cancel luxuries that cost money then why just limit it to fireworks.
How much did the Sydney/ Hobart cost to put on? Cancel it.
How much money is used to subsidise the arts. Cancel it.
How much money is used to subsidise community sport. Cancel it.
We have to live despite the disasters. The fireworks are a luxury but they certainly brought a smile to my face watching them safely on my TV from my drought ravaged property.
We could use the money for other things I suppose but they certainly make more money than they cost.
If we are going to cancel luxuries that cost money then why just limit it to fireworks.
How much did the Sydney/ Hobart cost to put on? Cancel it.
How much money is used to subsidise the arts. Cancel it.
How much money is used to subsidise community sport. Cancel it.
We have to live despite the disasters. The fireworks are a luxury but they certainly brought a smile to my face watching them safely on my TV from my drought ravaged property.
What a silly simplistic post, how can you possibly relate the cost of community sport to the conduct of major fireworks during a Total Fire Ban.....
The cost of the fireworks in Sydney was publicly stated as being $5.8 million, the $132 million that is being proposed as the cost is actually the expected economic return on that $5.8 million. They did not spend $132 million on the event.
Interesting to see the responses. Really boiled down to money -v- personal morality.
No surprise there.
Economy doesn't run on personal morality. Welcome to capitalism.
I've got quite a lot of friends in different areas of Blue Mountains who affected by the current bushfires, but my feelings have nothing to do with long term economy strategy. As I said above - it's quite easy to be offended by something and it's difficult to understand that we have to live and think about all consequences in a long term. As a person I'd like green and clean energy everywhere. But I also understand that it's impossible to switch to it immediately - not in Australia (while we are producing only 1% of CO2, Australian coal export is $67B - huge money for our economy), not in the world as it would affect global economy and we will get another GFC. I'm pretty sure you do not want another GFC. So yes, "money and less impact to economy" vs. "personal morality and bigger impact o economy".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainmaker
What a silly simplistic post, how can you possibly relate the cost of community sport to the conduct of major fireworks during a Total Fire Ban.....
Where is that line that divides "can" and "cannot"? And who set it?
And BTW, fireworks were on the harbour not in a bush.
What a silly simplistic post, how can you possibly relate the cost of community sport to the conduct of major fireworks during a Total Fire Ban.....
That is my point. It is silly and simplistic to state that is is somehow offensive and a waste of money to have NYE celebrations that are over the water. They had been passed as safe by the fire service. My point is that money is spent on lots of things that don't always have an obvious cost benefit or that you are interested in.
I personally dislike horse racing and object to any subsidies being given to that industry but also understand that there are others that disagree with this.
My examples were meant to be silly. Sorry you missed that.
Economy doesn't run on personal morality. Welcome to capitalism.
Economy doesn’t usually run on morality. That’s why we as humans often stuff things up. Just because it’s done that way doesn’t mean we can’t change it. Perhaps economy could use some more morality. Just a thought...
Australian coal export is $67B - huge money for our economy
Umm, Ilya.. actually it's not huge money for our economy at all... it represents currently 3.5% of GDP.. (& that figure is as a result of a spectacular price increase in 2018).
It is still not such a significant portion of our GDP & thus will not have the dire consequences that we are told it will... consequences of a negative nature, sure but, not the economy busting doom & gloom that some would have us all believe... I'm sorry, the facts just don't support that line...
Not exporting coal will not create a GFC for Australia..., seriously, it just won't
If our economy teeters on the brink as some would have you believe from a loss of 3.5% of GDP then, this country is already in dire straits...
Edit: This is especially poignant, since we were poised to grant $50 billion in corporate tax cuts??
