NEWS RELEASE

27 October 2009

The sky over Wellington will light up this Guy Fawkes night with the Pelorus Trust Sky Show – which promises to be even bigger, better and brighter.

This year’s Sky Show has been expanded from 15 to almost 20 minutes and will be launched from two barges and two boats.

The Council’s Recreation Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, says there will also be a number of new displays and never-seen-before effects. “Everyone loves a fabulous fireworks show. Robert McDermott, an absolute pyrotechnic genius, is back running the show and we’re extremely excited about the expanded programme this year.”

Cr Morrison says more than 150,000 spectators are expected at this year’s show. Traffic controls will be put in place to avoid snarl-ups and delays for emergency services that have caused problems in recent years.

Traffic moving east away from the CBD on Oriental Parade and Evans Bay Parade will be restricted to one lane and one direction from 7-10pm so emergency vehicles can access the area quickly if needed.

Evans Bay Parade will be closed to through traffic (access to residents only) at the Cobham Drive intersection from 7-10pm and we will have large numbers of parking wardens on patrol. Any illegally or dangerously parked vehicles will be towed away.

On Mt Victoria, Alexandra Road will be closed at the intersection with Constable Street in Newtown once Council staff have established that the maximum safe parking capacity towards the Mt Victoria summit has been reached. There will also be parking restrictions around the Lookout area, along Alexandra Road and a one-way traffic flow will be in place on the roads around the Lookout area.

Cr Morrison says that in previous years, parking has been “a dog’s breakfast. We’d love to see most people hop on the bus, walk in or arrive early to park safely. It will be a terrific night but our main focus is for everyone to be safe.”

The Sky Show begins at 9pm but a great way to kick off the evening is to come down to the waterfront early and enjoy The Ride of Your Life spectacle that starts at 6pm. There will be carnival rides, food stalls and music, with proceeds going to the Wellington Free Ambulance.

ENDS