Kiama Councillor Yasmin Tatrai is spearheading a community-led petition which has been launched to ensure the New Year's Eve fireworks are reinstated in 2026.

The petition calls on "Kiama Council and relevant authorities" to lock in the Sky Show for this December following what Cr Tatrai described as a noticeably quiet end to 2025 that residents and local businesses say resulted in reduced visitor numbers and lost economic activity.

Photos taken across the town centre and foreshore on New Year’s Eve show unusually empty streets, low foot traffic and subdued trading conditions - a stark contrast to previous years when fireworks attracted huge numbers of families, visitors and overnight stays.

Cr Tatrai said the absence of fireworks had a direct and visible impact on tourism and small business.

“New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for our town," she said.

"This year, without fireworks, we saw quieter streets, fewer visitors and local businesses missing out on what is normally a major trading night.

“Fireworks are not just entertainment — they are a proven driver of tourism, hospitality spending and community connection.”

The petition calls on Council and relevant authorities to:

• Commit to hosting New Year’s Eve fireworks in 2026;

• Engage with the community on suitable locations and timing;

• Allocate funding and planning resources early, or explore cost-recovery options such as a ticketed or partially ticketed event.

Cr Tatrai said successful community-run models already exist elsewhere, demonstrating that fireworks can be delivered safely and responsibly without placing undue strain on council budgets.

“Other towns have shown that with early planning, community partnerships and ticketed formats, fireworks can be both financially responsible and highly successful,” she added.

“We’re asking Council to work with the community — not remove events that bring people together and support local livelihoods.”

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has repeatedly said since the decision to call off the recent fireworks that it was a one-off and Council was committed to getting the iconic event back up and running this year.

The Change.org petition can be found here.