Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 14 April 2021
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Fireworks spark anger in locals Jo Kent Reporter
jo@waimeaweekly.co.nz
Locals were left fuming on Saturday night after unexpected fireworks at Saxton Fields were heard as far out as Wakefield, Redwood Valley and Atawhai. Pet and live-
stock owners took to Facebook to try to find out what was happening, with many outraged they hadn’t been notified it was going to happen so could secure their animals in advance. John Ivanof, owner of Combat Pyrotechnic Fireworks Displays, who put on the display for a
circus-themed 50th birthday party at the Stoke venue, insisted that the fireworks were legal and “in accordance with the laws and government-approved code of practice”. The Nelson City Council offices were inundated with calls on Monday by concerned residents
who were told that John was asked to do a “courtesy flier drop to houses in the immediate vicinity” as a condition of sign-off for the display to go ahead. But as the noise spanned a 15km radius, the scale of the flier distribution had been massively under managed. “I did a flier drop to the
Colin Gibbs, with the sheep he’ll be competing with as the Waimea Sheep Dog Trial Club celebrate 100 years. Photo: Supplied.
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immediate neighbours warning them about the fireworks as per the Council’s request,” says John. “But it’s unrealistic to expect notification any further afield. Currently, there is no legal requirement to notify anyone that a
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