• The midnight moment of our New Years Eve entertainment program will include a controlled 5-minute fireworks display that can be viewed from anywhere within the Waterfront as well as from various viewpoints in the city. • Fireworks can be great fun, but they can also be dangerous if not used properly. Watching fireworks at a secured site, is the best way to celebrate safely and avoid injury. • The Waterfront has obtained the necessary permit for the limited discharge of fireworks in a designated area to minimise harm to pets and wildlife in the area. • We acknowledge that for many our New Years Eve celebration is a time to celebrate, but for others it can be an unpleasant experience. • The public and those living close to the Waterfront, to please consider their pet/s during the 5 minutes of our fireworks display and make sure they are comfortable as animals can find fireworks particularly distressing. Keep pets indoors as most animals get very scared by the lights and noise from fireworks. • No fireworks or any form of pyrotechnics may be brought into the V&A Waterfront by members of the public. Visitors in possession of these items will have them confiscated. This year, the Waterfront has commissioned, working with Two Oceans Aquarium, and the scientific marine research organisation Sea Search, an impact study on the effects of public and commercial activities on the marine mammals within its waters and endangered species, during our festive season, the outcome of which will help us continue to better manage the impact our activities have on the natural environment of our harbour. • Our actions so far have been to o Reduce the duration of the fireworks display from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, lessening the noise and material discharge associated with fireworks. o Use of fireworks packaging made from biodegradable materials. o Use of ground-based fireworks: These stay in one place, making it easier to clean up. o Improve waste collection in the harbour with the deployment of two rubbish collection craft present in the harbours in the morning after New Years Eve. o Our eco-friendly fireworks have a clean burning, nitrogen-based fuel. o Early public awareness and communication about the timing of the discharge of fireworks. We wish to remind members of the public that fireworks can be dangerous and cause damage to property, people, and animals and urge them not set off fireworks off in public places like streets, parks, and pavements and or any buildings. If you have any information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks, report it to the City of Cape Town’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: contact 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline and report.
