A carload of fireworks has been stopped heading south out of the Northern Territory.
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Members of the Cross Border Team seized 50kgs of fireworks south on the Stuart Highway at Alice Springs on Monday.
Police were conducting a roadside traffic stop when they allegedly located two boxes of fireworks in the rear of the vehicle.
More than 375 tonnes of fireworks were purchased across the NT for the 40th anniversary of Territory Day on Sunday.
Ten tonnes of fireworks was bought in the town of Katherine alone.
The NT allows fireworks to be bought and used for that single day of each year.
Limited sales are allowed in Tasmania but the personal use of fireworks is banned in all other states.
In yesterday’s incident, the fireworks were seized and occupants of the vehicle were cautioned.
The driver allegedly advised officers they were taking the fireworks to an Aboriginal community interstate.
Det. Sen.-Sgt Peter Malley said the seizure was a timely reminder to people to hand in their unused fireworks or risk a hefty fine.
“People need to be mindful that there are rules in place and that it is illegal to take fireworks interstate.
“The period for legally possessing fireworks expires at 12 noon today, and so we would urge anyone with unused fireworks hands them in to the designated NT WorkSafe office or risk a $1540 fine.
“In this incident, these people were in possession of fireworks and so we seized the fireworks and issued the occupants with a caution.
“It’s still a very expensive lesson to learn,” Det Sen Sgt Malley said.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
