Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has today stated he believed it is “problematic” that Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019 is being held while bushfires are burning around the country and at an escalating rate today.

For our international readers, Anthony Albanese is a member of the Labor Party. He is a Sydneysider located near some official Sydney NYE vantage points & events.

Today was forecasted to have severe (67%) fire danger in Sydney while other places in Australia are having worse levels of fire danger. A total fire ban has been enforced until Midnight in Sydney. Labor Party seats on a Federal level (down in south-eastern New South Wales) have seen the worst bushfire conditions today.

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019 has an exemption to the total fire ban for it’s fireworks (except Midnight). Whilst the Midnight Fireworks are not yet affected by a total fire ban, there are still on for now with any total fire ban to be issued this afternoon.

The air quality has plummetted again in Sydney today. It is definitely worse than usual and is the worst air quality since NYE2001, when the event was in a similar situation due to the Black Christmas fires.

The ABC and City of Sydney have partnered with the Australian Red Cross this New Year’s Eve on a joint appeal for disaster relief and recovery, which will help support communities affected by bushfires across the country.

ABC hosts Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering will drive the call for donations as they host our Party of the Decades concert, live from the Sydney Opera House, starring some of Australia’s top performers. Soulful singer-songwriter Marlon Williams, the Cruel Sea’s Tex Perkins, Augie March guitarist singer-songwriter Glenn Richards, American rapper Aloe Blacc, rock chick Natalie Foster, jazz bassist Steve Kilby and legendary musician Russell “The Real Thing” Morris are all on board to welcome in the new year.

Funds raised on the night will help the Red Cross continue its essential disaster relief and recovery work, giving people the support they need in emergencies, now and into the future. The Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund includes recovery programs, practical support and emergency grants for communities affected by the ongoing bushfires.

Donations will help the Red Cross:

• Train staff and volunteers to be ready to respond as soon as a disaster happens;
• Teach and support communities in disaster-prone regions to better prepare for disasters;
• Help affected communities to recover from emergencies – in outback towns, metropolitan cities or small Pacific islands;
• Train and send specialist aid workers to assist local Red Cross volunteers and staff in countries affected by major disasters; and
• Maintain stocks of critical disaster response equipment.

Donations can be made via the Australian Red Cross:

Online at:                  nye.sydney/donate

Or by calling:           1800 733 276

The NYE live concert will be broadcast across Australia via ABC TV, iview and ABC Radio and the world via ABC Australia and ABC Online.

The Party of the Decades concert will also feature Kate Miller-Heidke, Phil Jamieson, Vika and Linda Bull, Angie Hart, Mojo Juju, Adrian Eagle and Casey Donovan, as they perform memorable songs from recent decades. From the rock ‘n’ roll classics of the 60s, to the high tempo disco hits of the 70s and present-day classics – the hits will keep coming.

Before they rock the main stage from 9.30pm, families can enjoy the New Year’s Eve House Party with music, games and dancing. Hosted by Susie Youssef and Nazeem Hussain and featuring performances by Baker Boy, Regurgitator and Shonen Knife, this New Year’s Eve show will have everything you need to get the party started from the comfort of your own home. Expect celebrity appearances, some of your favourite ABC KIDS and ABC ME stars and a countdown that will travel the country before the fireworks at 9pm.

The ABC’s NYE schedule:

8.30pm          New Year’s Eve House Party

9.00pm          Family Fireworks

9.08pm          Calling Country

9.30pm          Party of the Decades and the drive to donate to Red Cross.

12.00am        Midnight Fireworks

Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Sydney’s reputation as the world’s New Year’s Eve capital will be underlined tonight with a stunning display of fireworks, lighting, pylon projections and a celebration of the world’s oldest living culture.

The Sydney sky will light up with 100,000 fireworks and the brightest beam in the southern hemisphere shooting up from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney New Year’s Eve is a symbol of hope and happiness for Australians and those watching around the world.

The Lord Mayor has urged those watching around the harbour or the ABC broadcast at home to dig deep and donate to support those impacted by the bushfires.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve brings people together from around the world. This year we want to channel that positive energy to help Australian communities who have been hit hard by the bushfires,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“In response to the devastating bushfires, we decided to harness the enormous power of the event to raise money for the Australian Red Cross disaster recovery and relief fund. This is in addition to the $300,000 we donated to the Red Cross, $300,000 to the Country Women’s Association and $20,000 to Wires.

“People viewing around the Harbour will see a donation link projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons throughout the night. Donation links will also be promoted throughout the ABC broadcast.”

Donations can be made by visiting nye.sydney/donate

2019 New Year’s Eve will be the most choreographed show to date, with fireworks, lighting effects, pylon projections and music all synchronised to create a stunning spectacle.

A symbolic message stick will be presented to Lord Mayor Clover Moore to accept on behalf of Sydney as a gift from the Gadigal people.

The age old Aboriginal custom will be the focal point of this year’s Calling Country ceremony, which welcomes Sydney and the world to Gadigal land.

The Calling Country ceremony will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons light up with projections depicting summer time stories in Sydney. The ceremony will feature live music and dance performances.

Earlier in the evening, a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will take place on Sydney Harbour, from Tribal Warrior Association vessels.

“This event is about showing the world what Sydney is all about. It’s a celebration of our best creative talents and one of the world’s oldest living cultures,” the Lord Mayor said.

The Refugee Council of Australia is the official charity partner of 2019 Sydney New Year’s Eve. They’re urging Australians to make a resolution that counts and sign up to make 2020 the Year of Welcome.

By signing up, you are joining a movement of thousands of people around Australia welcoming refugees and people who come to Australia seeking protection. To sign up, visit: yearofwelcome.org

The City of Sydney New Year’s Eve event times:

7pm       Fire tug presents its water display on Sydney Harbour

7.30pm Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Sydney

Harbour by the Tribal Warrior Association

8pm      Air display above Sydney Harbour by flying ace Matt Hall and

Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections start

8.30pm Sydney Harbour Bridge lighting effects start

9pm       Family fireworks (8 minutes) includes the ABC Design Your Own Firework competition firework display

9.08pm Calling Country segment honouring Australia’s Indigenous heritage

9.15pm Harbour of Light parade

12am    Midnight fireworks (12 minutes)

2am      Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projection and lighting effects end.

For New Year’s event information, visit the Sydney New Year’s Eve website.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has issued a total fire ban exemption for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019.

However, this does not yet officially include the Midnight Fireworks which will be determined tomorrow afternoon. However, as of publication, they are on.

Please remember though the total fire ban exemption can be withdrawn at any time.

A press conference will be held tomorrow morning at 10am by Sydney NYE2019 organisers, which will include a preview of tomorrow night’s events.

This post updates.

https://twitter.com/JohnBarilaroMP/status/1211408617733115905

 

The New South Wales Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, in a tweet this morning called for the cancellation of Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019:

The tweet read:

Sydney’s New Years Eve Fireworks should just be canceled, very easy decision. The risk is too high and we must respect our exhausted RFS volunteers. If regional areas have had fireworks banned, then let’s not have two classes of citizens. We’re all in this crisis together.

For our international readers, John Barilaro is a member of The Nationals political party, who mostly represent regional country/rural electorates. Most of the bushfires have taken place in these electorates. He is a member of the Coalition, which is The Nationals & the Liberals (Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s political party) together. This means the Coalition & therefore, the New South Wales Government, is split on the issue.

The Australian understands he is currently in London on holiday and sent the tweet from abroad.

In response to Mr Barilaro’s tweet, a spokesperson from the City of Sydney said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation News that it had nothing to add beyond previous statements.

Although Tanya Goldberg, the Sydney NYE2019 Head Of Audience, told the Today morning breakfast television show this morning cancelling the fireworks would not benefit victims of the bushfires:

We know that cancelling the fireworks will have zero practical benefit for those fire-ravaged communities

The one thing that will help those communities is to go ahead with the event and leverage the power of it to drive people to donate, to demonstrate their generosity by going to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund

They can go to nye.Sydney/donate and we will be promoting that in the lead up, and that I can do

When asked if there would be any kind of tribute to the tireless efforts of volunteer fireys during the show, Ms Goldberg said:

No

There will not be an overt tribute to the firefighters – (creative) plans were put in place months and months and months ago but we are doing everything to throw our support behind them

However, whilst we haven’t confirmed it, at Sydney NYE2014 there were news reports of a tribute to the victims of the Sydney siege, which occurred about 2 weeks prior to the event.

Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, said today:

We will be weighing up the risks this afternoon with more details on the forecast. I don’t envisage a cancellation of the fireworks on account of the total fire bans

Any perceived risk will be remediated

He also said he’s “confident, unless something untoward comes out of the forecast”, that the event will go ahead and that the New South Wales Rural Fire Service is working with all parties to finalise exemptions on a possible total fire ban for the City Of Sydney.

This afternoon, the fire danger rating forecast will be released. This will mostly determine whether the 9pm Family Fireworks & Calling Country pyrotechnics would go ahead. It is expected to be cancelled if a ‘catastophic’ fire danger rating is forecast. The Midnight Fireworks won’t be determined until the afternoon of NYE. However, pressure to cancel would be increased if the 9pm Family Fireworks are already forecast to be held in ‘catastrophic’ conditions.

This post updates.

Sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, news.com.au, The Australian, The Daily Mail Australia

A fireworks show renowned as the world’s best will form the centrepiece of the stunning Sydney New Year’s Eve spectacle to ring in a new decade.

More than 100,000 fireworks will create a ‘pyrotechnicolour’ extravaganza synchronised to an all-Aussie soundtrack, stunning pylon projections and the brightest lighting beam in the southern hemisphere.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 2019 Sydney New Year’s Eve would be an exhibition of Australia’s extraordinary creative talents to the one million people watching around the harbour and more than one billion people viewing around the world.

“Our New Year’s Eve celebrations have become world renowned and synonymous with our city, but we can also proudly boast that they’re all-Australian,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Whether it’s our fireworks, lighting effects, Calling Country ceremony or midnight soundtrack, we’re showing the world that we have some of the best global creative talents.

“Fortunato Foti and his team never cease to amaze us with their stunning fireworks and I very much look forward to seeing what they’ve got planned this year.”

It’s the 23rd consecutive Sydney New Year’s Eve for Foti International Fireworks, who put on one of the most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

More than 100,000 individual effects will form what Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti is calling a ‘pyrotechnicolour’ extravaganza to welcome 2020.

“It doesn’t matter your age, gender, race or religion – fireworks have the enormous power to unite people, bringing happiness and hope,” Mr Foti said.

“This year we’ll be firing from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and seven barges around the harbour, with exciting new effects like colour changing stars, stained-glass shells and glittering willows.

“We’ve synchronised our fireworks to the soundtrack, pylon projections and lighting display for what is going to be our most choreographed show to date.”

The Lord Mayor said all of Sydney had been deeply saddened by the tragic impact of the bushfires, and pledged to use New Year’s Eve to help raise money and awareness for those in need.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve unites people from all over the world with a message of hope for the year to come,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We have committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought and fire affected communities, with money going to the Australian Red Cross.”

Visitors to Sydney and those watching at home will be encouraged to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, supporting those impacted by bushfires.

The City of Sydney recently donated $300,000 to the Red Cross, alongside $300,000 to the Country Women’s Association and $20,000 to Wires to support people, communities and wildlife that have been affected by drought and bushfire.

Australian Red Cross acting director NSW/ACT, Annie Harvey, thanked the City of Sydney for its donation and urged New Year’s Eve visitors and viewers to dig deep.

“We thank Lord Mayor Clover Moore for encouraging community members to make a donation to Australian Red Cross’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund this New Year’s Eve,” Ms Harvey said.

“People across Sydney and Australia have been deeply moved by the scale of losses with the recent spate of bushfires, and it has inspired extraordinary acts of kindness and an outpouring of support.

“Making a donation to Red Cross’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund means our trained volunteers and staff can be on the frontlines during disasters, including the bushfires we’re currently seeing, and those yet to come.

“It enables us to help give people the support they need – whether that’s help to prepare, a safe place to take shelter, psychological first aid or practical support through the months and even years it can take to recover. The vast majority of our team are volunteers.”

Donations can be made to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund at nye.sydney/donate

The Refugee Council of Australia is the official charity partner of 2019 Sydney New Year’s Eve.

They’re urging Australians to make a resolution that counts and sign up to make 2020 the Year of Welcome.

By signing up, you are joining a movement of thousands of people around Australia welcoming refugees and people who come to Australia seeking protection. To sign up, visit: yearofwelcome.org

An updated statement on the event can be found here: https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/support-for-the-nsw-bushfire-recovery-fund-on-nye/

The City of Sydney New Year’s Eve event times:

7pm      Fire tug presents its water display on Sydney Harbour

7.30pm Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Sydney Harbour by the Tribal Warrior Association

8pm       Air display above Sydney Harbour by flying ace Matt Hall and Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections start

8.30pm  Sydney Harbour Bridge lighting effects start

9pm       Family fireworks (8 minutes) includes the ABC Design Your Own Firework competition firework display

9.08pm  Calling Country segment honouring Australia’s Indigenous heritage

9.15pm  Harbour of Light parade

12am     Midnight fireworks (12 minutes)

 2am       Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projection and lighting effects end.

For New Year’s event information, visit the Sydney New Year’s Eve website.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019 could be the 3rd edition of the event ever & the 1st edition in 31 years to be cancelled if ‘catastrophic’ fire danger is forecast tomorrow afternoon.

The last time Sydney New Year’s Eve was cancelled completely was in 1987 & 1988 due to rising violence that culminated with a mass murder in The Rocks during the 1986 edition. On NYE2002, the 9pm Family Fireworks were postponed to Australia Day (January 26) due to 90km/h winds and then was cancelled on January 24 due to a total fire ban, predicted extreme fire danger & out of respect for firefighters.

An internal e-mail, obtained by The Sunday Telegraph & dated the 27th of December, to the Northern Beaches Councillors from the Northern Beaches Council Executive Manager Of Community Engagement, Kath McKenzie, says a decision was made at a meeting of local governments, state government & the New South Wales Rural Fire Service just before 25 December:

The decision was that the City Of Sydney fireworks will go ahead unless catastrophic fire conditions are forecast.

In the situation where catastrophic fire conditions are declared, …all…will be cancelled.

However, a Rural Fire Service spokesman has told the Sydney Morning Herald it’s “highly unlikely” Sydney NYE2019 fireworks will have their exemption revoked.

“We are highly unlikely to see extreme or catastrophic fire warnings through Sydney. I would be surprised if they were cancelled,” the spokesman said, given the fire danger is likely to be ‘severe’ and the fireworks are over the Harbour and unlikely to spread to at-risk bush areas:

We are expecting a change to move through the state in the afternoon and early evening on New Year’s Eve, which may result in no total fire bans for New Year’s Day

However, Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said:

We are expecting the southerly change to move through the coast, impact into the Sydney basin around about 7 in the evening. We are mindful of the volatility of a southerly.

If I determine it to be too risky, that doesn’t concern me.

The pyrotechnics organisations and local authorities are used to working with us around exemptions in the summer period, whether it is Christmas, New Year or some other event.

They know the arrangements, the procedures, and we will work through to make sure that risk is appropriately addressed & where necessary, we won’t allow them to go ahead

Last time catastrophic fire conditions were forecast, which was 8 days ago, all aerial fireworks were banned.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would take advice from the Rural Fire Service:

We’re elected on behalf of the community to protect our community, to protect our citizens but if there is no safety reason why those fireworks shouldn’t continue, we will proceed.

We are a hopeful, optimistic state

We are a resilient state

We appreciate that there is a lot of suffering in the community at the moment

I appreciate there’s a lot of anxiety in the community, there is a lot of fear, depending on where you live about what’s happening in the community at the moment but the best thing we can do is to stay strong and resilient … We will get through these times, as difficult as they are

If the RFS, if the experts, say it’s safe to have the fireworks continue, well, we should do that

I would support the efforts in keeping the fireworks going

Sydney is one of the first cities in the world welcoming in the New Year

If it is safe to do so, we should continue to do it as we have done every other year

I think it is important to send a message to the world, so long as it is safe to do so … we will keep doing what we do normally

The Sunday Telegraph understood that fire trucks would be stationed at headlands & bushland vantage points around the Harbour throughout NYE.

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, today said:

I think it is important to send a message to the world, so long as it is safe to do so – we will take the advice of the Rural Fire Service as we do every year – as long as it is safe to do so. We will keep doing what we do normally.

On New Year’s Eve the world looks at Sydney. Every single year and they look at our vibrancy, they look at our passion, they look at our success, and they all think to themselves, ‘What an amazing place’.

They are right and so in the midst of the challenges that we have faced, subject to the safety considerations, I can think of no better time to express to the world just how optimistic and positive we are as a country

In an updated statement to the one released 11 days ago, the City Of Sydney said:

Why we’re not cancelling the fireworks

We appreciate the concerns people have around holding the event while large parts of Australia are dealing with bushfires and drought. And we’ve heard the calls from people to cancel the event and donate the budget to relief efforts.

But we cannot cancel the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Even if we could, it would have little practical benefit for affected communities.

We began preparations and planning for the New Year’s Eve celebrations 15 months ago. This means most of the budget – largely used for crowd safety and cleaning measures – has already been spent.

Cancelling the event would seriously hurt Sydney businesses. It would also ruin plans for tens of thousands of people from across the country and overseas who have booked flights, hotels and restaurants to be here for New Year’s Eve.

Planning for weather conditions

The City of Sydney works closely with NSW Government agencies such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW Health, NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW in the lead-up to Sydney New Year’s Eve.

If a total fire ban is declared, we will continue to liaise with NSW Government agencies and the NSW Rural Fire Service to determine the safest way to proceed with the event.

In the event of high winds, we will assess the conditions with Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti.

We encourage all visitors to Sydney for New Year’s Eve to be mindful of the conditions and how they could impact on their health.

Watched by millions

The display is watched by a billion people worldwide, showcasing Sydney to the world as a safe, inclusive and attractive place to visit.

Sydney New Year’s Eve generates $130 million for the NSW economy and super charges our tourism industry, creating jobs and supporting countless small businesses.

The City of Sydney works closely with NSW Government agencies such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW Health, NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW in the lead up to the event.

We will continue to discuss weather and safety issues such as smoke haze, and how we will manage them, as we get closer to the event date.

Fundraising

Rather than cancelling the event, we’ve donated $620,000 to support communities and wildlife impacted by bushfire and drought, and offered our trucks and staff to help emergency services with clean-up and recovery efforts.

We are also promoting an online fundraiser for the Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief Fund in the lead up to and on New Year’s Eve.

During the broadcast and on the night, we will be encouraging those gathered around the harbour and watching at home to give generously.

Donate

The event will also support our official charity partner, the Refugee Council of Australia, as we begin 2020: The Year of Welcome.

Carbon offset

The City of Sydney’s fireworks will be carbon offset. They are also biodegradable to reduce waste and environmental impact.

The event will also be greener this year, with our sites and operations using 100 per cent accredited GreenPower.

This year we will buy GreenPower certificates to the equivalent of our energy use.

These will cover 10 sites across the city, including Bicentennial and Pirrama parks and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The certificates will support the production of renewable energy at Sapphire Wind Farm in northern NSW.

All City of Sydney-owned properties will use energy bought with GreenPower certificates from 1 July 2020, supporting energy generated by Sapphire Wind Farm and two other renewable energy projects.

Fortunato Foti, fireworks director for Sydney NYE2019, at White Bay, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, said safety was a top priority:

Wind plays an integral part in what we do and don’t do

With a system that we use for firing the show, we’re able to reduce different types of fireworks, depending on what priority we’re given as far as the worst case scenario, so we’re able to dial it down that way.

The show would still continue, but with different elements taken out of it to reduce any risks if necessary – and that’s purely on a wind situation

The City Of Sydney also told various sources that the fireworks “are going ahead as planned”, regardless of conditions, saying scrapping the show would ultimately do more harm than good.

Lord Mayor of the City Of Sydney, Clover Moore, said all of Sydney had been “deeply saddened” by the impact of the bushfires & if there was a total fire ban on New Year’s Eve the City Of Sydney would “do what we need to do”.

Sydney’s New Year’s Eve unites people from all over the world with a message of hope for the year to come.

We have committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought and fire-affected communities, with money going to the Australian Red Cross

Also at White Bay, Sydney New Year’s Eve Head Of Audience, Tanya Goldberg, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, said that the City Of Sydney was liaising with the New South Wales Department Of Premier and Cabinet, Bureau of Meteorology, Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service & NSW Health, she was “speaking daily” to fire departments & that a “total fire ban exemption would be allowed”:

Like everyone, we at the City of Sydney are deeply affected by what we’ve been seeing over these last months

But we are of the firm view that Sydney New Year’s Eve should not be cancelled

At this point the fireworks are proceeding as planned

Safety is our top priority and our paramount concern as we strive to deliver the event as planned.

Extreme weather requires an appropriate response

There are of course mixed views but a lot them have indicated they want to see the fireworks continue

Preparations for these celebrations began 15 months ago, which means most of the budget, largely used for crowd safety, has already been spent

Cancelling would have little practical benefit for devastated communities

Cancelling would seriously hurt Sydney businesses particularly in the wake of reports of a weaker retail season & would also ruin plans for tens of thousands of people who have come from across the country and overseas who have made their plans, booked their flights, hotels and restaurants & other arrangements for Sydney New Year’s Eve

The opportunity to come together & celebrate what is good, to express hope, a little happiness and sense of togetherness is arguably even more important than ever

It comes after nearly 4 months of bushfires including a megafire the size of Sydney itself which is also the largest forest fire in recent Australian history, resulting in a controversially held corporate Sydney Harbour fireworks display, many fireworks displays around Australia being cancelled, some of the poorest air quality Sydney has ever seen, southern road access to Sydney virtually being cut off at times & multiple petitions to cancel the event, the largest 2 having around 262,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Links to the online fundraiser will be projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons it was announced today.

More than 86% of people were in favour of abandoning Sydney NYE2019 in favour of donating the funds to farmers in a survey conducted by The Daily Mail Australia.

The official fire danger forecast gets released tomorrow afternoon but the Midnight Fireworks depends on the forecast released on the afternoon of NYE.

We again advise people who have brought tickets for Sydney NYE events to check their refund policies in the event the iconic fireworks are cancelled or postponed to Australia Day as the City Of Sydney is the official organiser providing the fireworks for free. Tickets are usually only refunded if the actual function you are attending is cancelled or below par – not if the fireworks are cancelled or below par. Pirrama Park Wharf is probably the only exception to this so far. People who have bought tickets in National Park areas especially should be cautious. Keep an eye on the news over the 3 days for any bushfire-related updates.

This post updates.

Sources: The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 News, 7 News, The Daily Telegraph, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, news.com.au & The Daily Mail Australia.

The NSW Police Force is encouraging the community to plan ahead and consider the many options available for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Sydney for 2019.

With significant crowds expected to celebrate the start of 2020 by taking in the spectacular fireworks displays around Sydney Harbour, police are urging revellers to start considering plans for their night now, to avoid disappointment.

Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing APM, said police have been working closely with City of Sydney, landowners and other government agencies to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and fun New Year’s Eve.

“Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the state’s largest event and police will be out in force across the city and around New South Wales prioritising safety, to ensure family and friends can enjoy the celebrations,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

“Police will work side-by-side with other agencies in the Police Operations Centre and Government Coordination Centre, to coordinate our people and resources on the ground.

“There will be a significant number of police – both uniformed and plain-clothed – patrolling the CBD and foreshore areas from Tuesday morning until the party precincts have safely emptied on New Year’s Day.

“Specialist police resources will also be deployed across the event footprint, patrolling our waterways and transport hubs, while PolAir keep an eye on things from the sky, to ensure a safe and secure event for everyone involved.

“Police will not tolerate dangerous, criminal or anti-social behaviour, so anyone caught putting other people’s lives at risk, or spoiling the fun for others, will be dealt with swiftly.

“We want everyone to enjoy the start to the new year and the key to doing so safely is to act responsibly, look after your friends and family and know your limits,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

“This year, a number of popular vantage points are ticketed-only events and police will monitor crowd numbers closely and sites will be closed as soon as they reach capacity to prevent overcrowding.

“The public are advised to listen to authorities, including police and venue security, who will be providing directions to ensure crowds move safely and efficiently to each of the vantage points.

“We have previously seen sites reach capacity and close early, so we are urging people to arrive early, just in case you have to make your way to another viewing location.

“Public transport is the best option for anyone planning to head into the city, as there will be extensive road closures and special-event clearways in place throughout the event.

“This year the light rail will also be operating to help crowds move into the city, however there will be changes to regular services, so please check the timetable in advance.

“If you must drive, please be patient, be aware of pedestrians and as always do not drink or drug drive,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

Hot weather is expected over the next few days, and police are urging revellers to keep informed on the conditions, look after their health and remember the four key messages to keep healthy in the heat:

1. Drink plenty of water (limit hot, sugary, or alcoholic beverages)
2. Keep cool (stay in the air conditioning, if possible)
3. Take care of others (visit or contact those at risk of heat-related illness)
4. Have a plan (know who to contact if you need assistance and seek medical advice if you feel unwell).

For comprehensive event details, and to plan your journey to a vantage point, visit: www.sydneynewyearseve.com.

For road-closure information, visit www.livetraffic.com.

Visit www.bom.gov.au for updated weather forecasts and warnings.

Media Release: NSW Police Force

2020 is now just around the corner and unfortunately many Australians have faced devastating months of bushfires, droughts and floods.

ABC and the City of Sydney are pleased to announce that we will welcome the new decade in the spirit of love, community and togetherness by partnering with Australian Red Cross on a joint appeal for disaster relief and recovery across the country.

Hosts Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering will be driving the callout for donations as they host our Party of the Decades concert, live from the Sydney Opera House, starring some of Australia’s top performers. Soulful singer-songwriter Marlon Williams, the Cruel Seas Tex Perkins, Augie March guitarist, singer-songwriter Glenn Richards, American rapper Aloe Blacc, rock chick Natalie Foster, Jazz bassist Steve Kilby and legendary musician Russell ‘The Real Thing’ Morris are all on board.

They will join previously announced artists, Kate Miller-Heidke, Phil Jamieson, Vika and Linda Bull, Angie Hart, Mojo Juju, Adrian Eagle and Casey Donovan as they perform the memorable songs from recent decades. From the rock-n ’roll classics of the 60s, to the high tempo disco hits of the 70s and present-day classics – the hits will keep coming.

But before they rock the main stage, families can enjoy the New Year’s Eve House Party with music, games and dancing! Hosted by Susie Youssef and Nazeem Hussain and featuring performances from Baker Boy, Regurgitator and Shonen Knife, this New Year’s Eve show will have everything you need to get the party started from the comfort of your own home. Expect celebrity appearances, some of your favourite ABC Kids and ABC Me stars and a countdown that will travel the country before the fireworks light up the sky in celebration at 9pm.

Funds raised on the night will enable Red Cross to continue its important disaster relief and recovery work, giving people the support they need in emergencies, including the bushfires and disasters yet to come. The Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund currently includes recovery programs, practical support and emergency grants in communities affected by the recent bushfires.

Donations can be made via the Red Cross,

Online at: nye.sydney/donate

Or by calling: 1800 733 276

The live concert will be broadcast to Australia via ABC TV, iView, ABC Radio and to the world via ABC Australia and ABC Online.

8.30pm New Year’s Eve House Party

9.00pm Family Fireworks

9.08pm Calling Country

9.30pm Party of the Decades and the drive to donate to Red Cross.

12.00am Midnight Firework

Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation