Clover Moore warns Sydney NYE fireworks could be called off
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has revealed plans for this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks in light of the bushfire conditions.
NSW
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Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has rejected all calls to have the extravagant New Year’s Eve fireworks cancelled in light of the bushfires — describing the event as a symbol of hope.
Ms Moore said the evening — which will boast 8,000 tonnes of fireworks, 40,000 shooting ground based effects, 13,000 shells and more than 100,000 pyrotechnic effects — is appropriate despite recent calls by critics to have it canned.
“We will harness the enormous power of the event to raise more money for the Australian Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund,” she said.
But Ms Moore warned if the bushfires worsen and a state of emergency is declared, it’s possible that the event may not go ahead.
“For us the most important thing is that it is about unity … to celebrate all the good things we have in Australia. We have been going through terrible times and it brings us together with a sense of hope.”
“We’ve always known that rain doesn’t put fireworks off, wind does. So, we would have to make a decision at the time. We could still have the wonderful lighting and all the wonderful things we have on the harbour even if we cannot do the fireworks,” she said.
The City of Sydney has maintained that all the pollution caused by the lavish New Year’s Eve fireworks can be offset by the city’s carbon neutral policies.
“The city has been carbon neutral since 2007. Any fireworks are offset by our policy of carbon neutrality and you know, the climate emergency is something we should be addressing Australia-wide, we are addressing it here in the City of Sydney,” she said.
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“Look up the history books and see what it was like before the City of Sydney, way back. Before we introduced this special occasion on New Year’s Eve, you’ll know that there were riots in both Kings Cross and The Rocks.
She added that the spectacular fireworks — which include a large beam of unity projected off the harbour bridge into the night sky — are a symbol of “hope that there will be effective action taken on climate change”.
Police assistant commissioner Mick Willing urged the public to stay vigilant after the recent terror attacks in London.
“Large numbers of police officers in uniform and in plain clothes will be out in force this year,” he said.
“With recent events that we’ve seen in the last few days in London, the threat of terrorism does remain. However we have no information at all that suggests a threat to this year’s event.”
Both the commissioner and the Lord Mayor refused to comment on the ongoing controversy involving Ms Moore and federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor, but Mr Willing confirmed the police investigation is ongoing.