ANOTHER Perth council is likely to scrap its Australia Day fireworks, despite a survey showing the pyrotechnic display remains popular with local residents.

Town of Bassendean staff have recommended Australia Day celebrations remain on January 26, but with an event that is “sensitive to our First Nations people”.

Councillors will be asked to consider staging the fireworks on a different date or cancelling the display. Alternative January 26 events like a citizenship ceremony breakfast or concert would be considered.

The proposal is due to go to council for approval later this month

Fremantle cancelled its Australia Day fireworks two years ago, sparking a debate about changing the date from January 26 — the anniversary of the First Fleet arrival in Sydney.

More than 20,000 people attended Bassendean’s 2018 display at Ashfield Reserve but officers argue a combination of ballooning costs — the price tag for this year’s event was $129,000 — fire risk and a shift in national sentiment meant it was time to review the event.

“In terms of attracting funding, as the issue of the appropriateness of the date grows, it is becoming increasingly unpopular to support,” a report to be considered by Bassendean’s people services committee states.

“Lotterywest advised it would not provide an increase in funding for this event. It is not seen as a desirable community event to support.”

Lotterywest, which contributed $25,000 for the 2018 event, said it had not received an official grant application for 2019 but that the organisation had no issue with supporting Australia Day fireworks.

About 240 people responded to an online Bassendean council survey canvassing their opinions on Australia Day celebrations. It showed 65 per cent want to celebrate being Australian on January 26, while 26 per cent want a new date.

Almost three times as many people wanted fireworks to “always” be part of the celebrations (43 per cent) compared with those who wanted the display stopped (15 per cent).

An Australia Day working group met to discuss the results of the survey in February and recommended retaining the January 26 date but reviewing the fireworks.

Indigenous elders consulted by the Bassendean Cultural Advancement Group said all celebratory events on January 26 should be moved to a different date.