Last year Cr Moran’s push for council to trial low noise or noiseless fireworks for its 2018 Carols by Candlelight display was unsuccessful.

However the Greens member and independent councillor will continue his efforts to introduce the new technology to ease the anxiety felt by many animals, and some humans, during loud fireworks displays.

‘’These reduced noise fireworks sound much more muffled than normal fireworks, and while they are not as vivid in colour, they give much the same overall experience of a traditional display,’’ Cr Moran said.

Read more: Lost and Found Pets Illawarra inundated after NYE fireworks

‘’But when detonated they don’t create the disturbance among domestic and native animals as there’s less noise, and fewer shockwaves.

‘’As a society with increasing numbers of domestic pets in our lives – and seemingly more occasions when these displays occur – we should be thinking about alternatives.’’

Cr Moran put forward a notion of motion last July around a trial, and a report on noiseless fireworks was tabled at Shellharbour council’s December 12 meeting.

The report stated that council had received numerous complaints about the effect of fireworks on animals.

‘’Noiseless fireworks are not necessarily silent; they must meet background ambient noise levels that can be up to 60 decibels in certain locations,’’ it stated. ‘’Traditional fireworks can be up to 150 decibels.’’

According to the report, the low noise fireworks are readily available, similar in cost to traditional fireworks, but colours were limited and brightness was reduced.

‘’One way to ameliorate the slight lack of impact due to less colour would be to incorporate a laser show as well,’’ Cr Moran said.

‘’It just takes one organisation – and I’m hoping that will eventually be Shellharbour council – to take a lead on this and others will follow.

‘’I’m just asking for a trial and I think if that happens then it might just surprise everyone.’’

Cr Moran said cities elsewhere had made the move to quieter fireworks displays – citing Collecchio in Italy.

‘’The more we use noiseless fireworks the more the cost of them will come down, and the more they will be developed and improved upon,’’ he said.

‘’While there are approved fireworks displays at clubs in Shellharbour at different events throughout the year – and of course some private citizens get their hands on them – the only display co-ordinated by council is that at Carols by Candelight.

‘’So a trial at that event would be perfect – I just have to get all my fellow councillors to agree.’’