Council wrap: Fireworks are on, trees are gone, bike ban is done

While neighbouring councils have wrestled with what to do, if anything, this New Year’s Eve, Wollongong Council has confirmed it will be business as usual down at the harbour on the final night of this year.

In recent months, Kiama Council created a stir when it decided the annual fireworks show was too expensive for the cash-strapped Council to stage this year.

It sent a plea to local businesses to underwrite the cost to stage the fireworks but, in the end, time ran out and no sponsor could be found. Kiama locals wanting to see in the new year with a bang will have to travel to another LGA.

 To the north, at Shellharbour, it’s been suggested a drone show might be a better option than the usual noisy, smoky fireworks.

Unusually, the idea of an eco-friendly end to 2025 has only just been floated. And the big event is just two months away. Watch this space on that one.

Meanwhile, Wollongong Council has confirmed the popular fireworks over Belmore Basin will be back. Thousands ring the harbour on 31 December each year to catch the spectacular show.

Council says the budget for the 2025 New Year’s Eve event is just under $100,000. As well as the spectacular sky show, a council spokesperson said this budget covers roving entertainment, temporary amenities and traffic management.

Diseased trees get the chop

Also looking skywards, The Illawarra Flame has been admiring the skilled work of Council’s trained arborists removing mature trees in the North Wollongong area that have seen better days.

Perched nearly 30 metres above the ground, the arborists had to cut down Norfolk Pines near Stuart Park as they had become infected with a nasty pathogen, or plant disease.

“We remove trees very rarely and only as a last resort,” a Council spokesperson said, while offering a reminder that the public isn’t allowed “to cut, trim or remove" trees growing on public land.

“If you notice a tree in a public place that you think needs attention, please report it to council by the website or by phoning 4227 7111. Damaging trees and plants on public land is a serious criminal offence. If you see anyone vandalising a tree or plant on public land, contact the police immediately on 131 444.”

Bike ban at Puckeys Estate

While debate has been raging about the threat to birdlife on Lake Illawarra following DA approval at a local level for a jet ski hire business, Council has taken action to protect bird species inhabiting Puckeys Estate between North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow.

 Signs were recently installed indicating a ban on bicycles in the nature reserve, an annex of Wollongong Botanic Garden.

“Under the current Biobanking Arrangement for this area, bikes are not permitted within Puckeys Estate itself,” a Council spokesperson said.

 “This is to protect this rare coastal habitat that’s home to several endangered plant communities and around 130 different types of birds.”

Despite the ban, we observed more than a dozen cyclists pedalling hard during a 45-minute stroll through Puckeys.

“We ask cyclists not to ride through the Estate and to instead use the designated shared path that runs along the perimeter of Puckeys Estate along Elliotts Road and Squires Way,” the council spokesperson said.

But the ban on bikes may only be temporary, with the Council spokesperson saying, “We have identified that in any revised Biobanking Arrangement for Puckey’s Estate, Council would investigate the opportunity to introduce cycling to sit alongside passive recreation activities like walking and jogging, which are currently permitted.”