They're Back
You flamin' beauty! F-111's back
Louise Crossen
01sep05
THE dump and burn which threatened to crash and burn was cleared for takeoff late yesterday.
The F-111 flyover at Saturday's Brisbane Riverfire will go ahead, after organisers and the Defence Department resolved a wrangle over public liability insurance.
The Courier-Mail revealed Riverfire's spectacular finale had been cancelled, after Defence Insurance insisted on upgraded public liability cover.
The dispute centred on two policy clauses, which required Riverfire organisers to fund cover for the aircraft and any disease or illness sustained from an F-111 mishap.
The highlight of Riverfire is the F-111 dump and burn, in which the aircraft dump and ignite fuel from a nozzle between the two engines, creating a trail of flame up to 200m long.
Local insurers were unable to meet the stringent requirements imposed by Defence Insurance.
But 11th hour negotiations between Defence officials and Major Brisbane Festivals have put Riverfire's grand finale back on track.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence Teresa Gambaro last night announced the Federal Government backflip, after "difficult" negotiations.
"I am delighted to be able to announce the famous F-111 dump and burn will be a feature of this year's display," she said. "We have been able to reach agreement on a way forward. This is a great outcome for the people of Brisbane."
Major Brisbane Festivals CEO Michael Snelling said he was "over the moon" about the result.
"It's a terrific outcome," he said.
"We are grateful for everyone who threw their support behind us – not least, the people of Brisbane.
"Everyone has been in there doing their bit."
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman hailed the result as "a big win for Brisbane".
"I'm delighted we've been able to work this through," he said.
While Riverfire organisers were breaking out the champagne last night, conservation and animal welfare groups were not happy with the result.
The Queensland Greens said the F-111 dump and burn sent the wrong message about energy consumption. The RSPCA has slammed the event for wreaking havoc among the city's animal population.
"Despite the warnings, many people still don't understand the devastating effect fireworks can have on animals," RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said.
"Often they will panic and end up on the road where they risk being hit by cars.
"Scores of animals end up at our Fairfield shelter every year and the sad part is it is easily preventable."