WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Safe firing distances and sensitive areas

Safe firing distances

Not all locations are suited for a fireworks display. Most urban properties will not meet the safe firing distances required to obtain the permit. All applications that do not meet the distance requirements will be refused.

Aerial fireworks must be placed and fired so their trajectory is at least 10 metres from any:

  • above ground power line
  • above ground communications cables
  • streetlamp poles and flagpoles
  • gantries, cranes or similar high structures
  • tall trees.

The firing location(s) of fireworks needs to be at least 10 metres from spectator areas.

Firework displays need to be 50 metres from protected works:

  • residential buildings outside the display location
  • cinemas, theatres, concert halls or other places of public entertainment
  • public buildings, public parks or other public facilities
  • building or open areas in which people are accustomed to assemble
  • factories, workshops, offices, warehouses, shops or other buildings, located outside an explosives location or a large explosives location, where persons are employed.

Firework displays need to be 50 metres from major infrastructure:

  • roads
  • bridges
  • infrastructure for gas, water, waste disposal, electricity and communication services
  • railways and railway infrastructure
  • wharves, jetties and other permanent berthing facilities
  • aerodromes.

Designated spectator areas need to be 100 metres from where aerial fireworks or associated debris may be reasonably expected to land.

Firework displays firing location needs to be 200 metres from:

  • any place where explosives, other than the fireworks themselves and stored
  • any place where flammable or combustible materials are stored.

Firework displays need to be 500 metres from:

  • schools or other educational institutions
  • hospitals or other medical institutions
  • retirement homes, aged respite centres or other aged-care facilities
  • churches or other places of public worship

— unless approval from the ‘owner’ or responsible authority has been obtained.

Sensitive areas

Some locations may be unsuitable for a fireworks display because of the potential to cause significant risks to the surrounding environment. This may be due to the native animals or livestock.

Before applying for a permit, be aware of your display site surroundings and communicate with neighbouring properties to identify any specific risks.

A fireworks permit will not be granted where the proposed display is within 500 metres from privately owned horses due to the risk to safety of the horses and persons controlling them unless property occupiers are aware of and agreeable to the display being held.

A fireworks permit may not be granted in the suburbs of Acton Park, Allen’s Rivulet, Carlton, Devon Hills, Dodges Ferry, Orielton, Roches Beach, Spreyton and Sandford.

A distance of 1 kilometre may be required from commercial boarding kennels and commercial horse businesses due to the significant risk to animals.

A distance of 3 kilometres is required from a sanctuary or conservation area, such as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania Zoo and Trowunna Wildlife due to the significant risk to native animals.

Last updated: 1 June 2023
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