Sydney has once again earned its place as the New Year’s Eve (NYE) capital of the world with the biggest & most spectacular fireworks display to welcome in 2018.
A rainbow waterfall cascaded from the Harbour Bridge during the Midnight Fireworks for the 1st time while glittering fireworks designed by Hollywood superstar, Hugh Jackman, shot across the night sky.
“With more fireworks than ever before, the awe-inspiring Sydney NYE fireworks displays captivated Sydneysiders & audiences across the globe” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“More than 1 million people watched the 9pm Family & Midnight Fireworks from vantage points across the city with images & vision shared around the world on television & social media”
“Having a world-renowned Australian actor like Hugh Jackman join us in creating fireworks effects was fantastic for Sydney & for Australia, combined with the beautiful designs on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons by our Sydney NYE2017 – Wonder creative artist, Nadia Hernández”
Sydney’s biggest NYE celebration required a mammoth clean-up effort to get the city moving again once the festivities were over.
City Of Sydney staff worked through the night to collect around 43 tonnes of waste & ensured the City streets were clear of rubbish and thoroughly cleaned following last night’s celebrations.
The clean-up operation involved over 205 City Of Sydney workers along with 55 trucks, sweepers & compactors.
An additional 128 mobile rubbish bins were collected filled with recyclable plastic bottles, paper & food containers.
“City staff worked tirelessly to clear truckloads of rubbish & leave the City sparkling clean in time for sunrise on New Year’s Day” the Lord Mayor said.
“It was an enormous task requiring nearly 3 times the number of cleansing staff on duty on an average day. We thank each & every one of them for their incredible efforts”
All waste collected overnight was transported to the SUEZ Artarmon facility for processing.
Destination New South Wales estimates that the Sydney NYE2017 – Wonder event contributes more than AUD$133 million to the local economy.
“It was the biggest & most spectacular fireworks displays yet with more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects & more than 8 tonnes of fireworks” the Lord Mayor said.
“The spectacular Midnight Fireworks featured a rainbow waterfall with red, yellow, purple, green & blue fireworks cascading from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to celebrate Australians saying ‘Yes’ to marriage equality & the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2018”
Fireworks Director, ‘Forch’ (Fortunato) Foti, who has (co-)directed the fireworks for the past 20 years, spent more than 5,000 hours to create the remarkable Sydney NYE2017 – Wonder fireworks displays.
The effects were inspired by the work of Sydney-based artist, Nadia Hernández, who created eye-catching paper-cut designs with a bright colour palette.
Sydney-born superstar, Hugh Jackman, created unique fireworks for the Midnight Fireworks including a glittering gold brocade & waterfall shells that launched from barges on the Harbour & from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The stunning fireworks were set to the track, Wiyathul, by famed Indigenous artist, Dr G Yunupingu.
Australia’s First Peoples were recognised throughout the night with special pylon projections & the Welcome To Country – A Day In The Life Of Country which included lighting effects & the traditional smoking ceremony on the Harbour.
Media Release: City Of Sydney
