20 July, 2023

Firepits Safety Boost

The City of Adelaide will commission an independent safety review into event firepits in the East End and has heightened safety measures.

Following meetings with concerned community members regarding the potential for injury, Council will engage independent risk advice.

Five firepits in place as part of Council’s Winter Weekends program in Vardon Avenue will also now feature additional temporary barriers to increase safety. The barriers are in addition to the existing safety measures of fire marshals, fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Council has directed Illuminate Adelaide to also have these additional safety barriers in place at its firepits located on Rundle Street and Base Camp in Rundle Park and Council thanks the event’s leadership team for its assistance.

The temporary barriers are in place at the firepits on Rundle Street and Base Camp until Council receives the results of the safety review.

Prior to the start of Winter Weekends, Council also sought feedback from the Metropolitan Fire Service to ensure its firepits were as safe as possible.

Acting Lord Mayor Phil Martin said ensuring we continue to meet the best standards in community safety, particularly children’s safety, is the reason Council is undertaking the review.

“Public safety is paramount in everything we do as a Council,” said the acting Lord Mayor.

“We need to respond to the concerns of our community, and I have committed to ensuring we would take additional action to help address these concerns.

“I acknowledge the firepits have been a successful staple in the East End and around the city for more than five years without incident and have helped to unlock improved winter vibrancy and activation. The

review and inclusion of barriers is to ensure they are as safe as possible for the community.

“Council looks forward to the review getting underway and, in the meantime, I encourage people to enjoy our Winter Weekends and Illuminate Adelaide which helps shake those winter blues and further activates the city." 

Matt Halliwell