After the City of Fremantle cancelled Australia Day fireworks in an attempt at "cultural sensitivity", local businesses have brought them back, for the sake of "vibrancy".
The City of Fremantle voted in August to move its January 26 celebrations forward two days to a "culturally-inclusive alternative event", to recognise that for many indigenous people the day represents dispossession and pain.
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Indigenous elders confront 6PR's Adam Shand
A group of elders speak with 6PR Drive Presenter Adam Shand about his views on Fremantle moving Australia Day celebrations.
But both major elements of the celebrations – fireworks and citizenship ceremonies – have now been taken out of its hands after strong opposition both from Federal Liberal MPs and from local business associations.
After an ugly public spat in December, Assistant Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke banned the city from holding citizenship ceremonies on its replacement January 28 event, saying it breached citizenship law by "politicising" the event.
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Now, Fremantle Business Improvement District and Fremantle Harbour Traders Group have announced their members have joined to fund and stage the four-day Freo Fiesta - starting on January 26 with fireworks over the fishing boat harbour.
BID chairman said in a statement traders wanted to bring "vibrancy" to Fremantle.
"This is simply our way of providing something for people to enjoy in anticipation of the fireworks and keeping that momentum going into the weekend, which will have a flow-on effect for businesses," he said.
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce claimed in September the event injected $2.5 million annually into the local economy.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt was contacted for comment.
But the debate is not over: now, fans are pushing for the song January 26 from A.B. Original, a track whose lyrics fiercely oppose traditional Australia Day celebrations, to reach #1 on Triple J's Hottest 100 to maintain pressure on the station to reconsider holding the countdown on that date in future years.
