This is also the first time I've seen a drone show like this and we're so lucky it's done by a team that's done other major shows before including the New Year's eve and Commonwealth Games recently.
As to funding, luckily it's a government funded project and not paid by the local government. It's part of a nation wide project about creativity and STEM learning, with 10 different projects in different places in the country. If it's funded locally, I'm sure some locals will go beserk!!
That is really cool. It's amazing what technology can do these days. Also good that the federal government is paying for it. Better to spend money on that than weapons. I still think it seems frivolous to not make it a permanent thing.