For sure, the Bangalow Lions organisers have a job to do and meant well to conclude the Christmas event with fireworks, but it’s a tradition from an era that should have been long gone by now.
Not everyone is happy with fireworks that harm the local environment. We live in co-dependence with our natural green landscape with an intact wild animal population. When the fireworks started, I observed from afar the effects on wildlife, with the echoing sounds of booming bombs, the sequenced pops that simulated machine-gun fire!
Refugees reside here from war zones, apologies to them. The veterans, elderly, sensitive, infants. I heard the alarmed sounds from birds, dogs barking. I saw the bats’ erratic flight, freaked out, helpless! I understand that other marsupials, like koalas, possums, bandicoots, platypus, are adversely affected by long-term PTSD, and potential death, as a result of fireworks.
Fireworks emit tiny particles of manganese, aluminium, and cadmium. They release sulphur dioxide gases, as well as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air we breathe. This matter, including spent cartridges, makes its way to the ocean via creeks, contaminating the sea grasses that the sea animals feed on.
I ask organisers of community events to take a leaf from Byron Shire Council’s ban on balloons because balloons impose a life threat on marine animals. Likewise, there needs to be a shire-wide ban on fireworks on similar grounds. End celebrations on a peaceful, no-harm-infliction note! I don’t see any justification for the use of fireworks.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
