WA council reviews Aust Day fireworks

The City of Fremantle is considering dumping its Australia Day fireworks out of sensitivity to Aboriginal people.

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said the city's councillors would review whether the fireworks were an appropriate way to celebrate the national public holiday, following discussions with Aboriginal elders and the local community.

As well as being the national day, Australia Day has also long been marked as an "invasion day" for indigenous Australians.

The event at Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour typically draws crowds of 50,000.

Mr Pettitt said it may not be the best way of acknowledging Australia Day, particularly from the perspective of the Aboriginal community.

"For many of them Australia day is not a day of celebration, there is some sadness and for them is a reminder of the dispossession that many of them feel," he told ABC radio.

He affirmed the move was not a money saving exercise, as the budget was the same regardless of activities.

Fremantle will get advice from the chamber of commerce and Aboriginal elders, before deciding in coming months.

At this stage the fireworks may be scaled down, not happen at all or will occur on a different day.

Known for being a progressive council, Fremantle is a Refugee Welcome Zone through the Refugee Council of Australia and has been advocating for a plastic bag ban for the last three years.

The nearby City of Cockburn's mayor Logan Howlett said they might have fireworks on Australia Day if Fremantle doesn't.