Residents and visitors in the NT are preparing to celebrate territory day marking the anniversary of self-governance in 1978. Emergency services are warning people to be sensible when setting off fireworks becomes legal between 6 and 11 pm.
00:00Here in the Territory we do take our right to be able to blow up fireworks on one day of the year pretty seriously.
00:09Which is why I'm sure you can imagine earlier in the year when a shipment of fireworks was intercepted and seized by New South Wales authorities on its way into the country bound for the Northern Territory.
00:22Things did seem a little bit rocky for a little while there but thanks to some diplomacy between the NT and New South Wales the fireworks were safely bound for the NT and were able to transit through Queensland and South Australia up to the Territory just in time for July 1st Territory Day.
00:43The one day of the year where Australians can legally light up the night sky with fireworks themselves and as you could see on the road behind me there's been lots of people coming here throughout the day ready to buy their fireworks on the one day of the year they're able to do so.
01:00But I should say not everyone was happy that Territory Day will be going ahead.
01:05Pet owners in particular tend to get a little bit nervous around Territory Day with the noise being quite an ordeal for a lot of pets as well as some veterans are really not a fan of the Territory Day celebrations.
01:18But it's fair to say that it's all systems go in the Territory when fireworks become allowed from 6 o'clock to night.
01:26So what's the advice then how can revelers celebrate Territory Day safely Lillian?
01:34Well I mean unfortunately it is pretty challenging to celebrate Territory Day safely as speaking from experience it does tend to become pure chaos from 6 o'clock when you can let off fireworks.
01:46That said there are some really important safety messages that authorities are keen to get across.
01:51The first one and the big one is that if you are behaving dangerously with your fireworks then you can be issued an on the spot fine so it's important not to point them at people or property.
02:02As you might be able to see from my hair moving a bit in the wind it is a pretty windy day today as well so fire authorities are on high alert as they always are come Territory Day.
02:12It does tend to be the busiest night of the year for emergency doctors, for paramedics, for all the fire crews battling the fires that inevitably break out over the course of the night.
02:24So it's really important that revelers try their best to do their bit to make sure that they're letting off fireworks in a safe manner and not in any way that could endanger people or property.
02:35This year as well we did speak to some fireworks retailers who told us that there would be an extra message they have for authorities this year which is to leave the Territory alone after that stash between NSW and Territory authorities over the fireworks coming to the Territory.
02:54But they also wanted to let people know as well that it's important to make sure they clean up after themselves and keep the natural environment safe, don't leave any rubbish from fireworks behind.
