Glebe Island port demolition could put Sydney events like fireworks, Vivid at risk

Major events like Vivid and the New Year’s Eve fireworks could be sunk if the last working port in Sydney Harbour is demolished for housing, experts say.

Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks — and other major events on the harbour — could be sunk if Glebe Island port is demolished to develop new housing.

An events expert with more than 30 years’ experience organising the city’s biggest on-water celebrations claims a Glebe Island shutdown would create chaos for maritime entertainment.

The last working port in Sydney Harbour is under threat as a report commissioned by the NSW government considers whether it should make way for residential development around a new Bays metro station.

“We use Glebe Island for a lot of events that mean so much to this city,” said Adam Huie, producer and project manager for Banks Events.

“People have spent years trying to work out how to deliver the New Year’s Eve fireworks if Glebe Island suddenly wasn’t available.

“We’ve never come up with a solution. The only sensible option would be to scale back on the event and surely no one wants that.

“Sydney has one of the best fireworks displays in the world. But the event could not be done the way it’s currently done without that Glebe Island facility.”

Experts say the demolition of Glebe Island port for housing would create chaos for maritime entertainment. Picture: Tim Hunter

Glebe Island provides 260m of deep waterfront wharf space, allowing cranes to load fireworks on to several barges that are then floated into launch position for the pyrotechnics show.

Mr Huie said NYE would not be the only casualty with other potentially impacted events reading like a list of Sydney’s most popular for tourists as well as locals.

“There’s Australia Day, Vivid, Sail GP and Opera on the Harbour,” he added. “They would all have major issues putting on some of their events without Glebe Island.

“There’s quite a number of events that use that space as an essential part of their work.”

The drone show for Vivid in June required 110m of wharf space at Glebe Island for four weeks to build a barge and install the equipment allowing 800 drones to take off.

Forunato Forti making NYE fireworks preparations on a barge off Glebe Island port. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Infrastructure for Vivid activations in Darling Harbour was also built at Glebe Island and floated across the harbour.

Sail GP relies on ships offloading 120 containers at Glebe Island, including the parts for the boats that are built at the port ahead of the competition.

“Every city in the world that Sail GP operates in, they deliver essentials by ship and set up on a wharf,” said Huie. “If Sydney doesn’t have Glebe Island port, where are they going to go?

“All these events need waterfront access on the harbour.”

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond said: “The harbour is our jewel in the crown and Glebe Island supports that gem.

“Our harbour is also more complex and multifaceted than people realise. So while we excel at events, they need a platform supporting them.

“Sydney will struggle to be a better city without Glebe Island.”

Event experts said demolishing Glebe Island port would put events like Sydney’s NYE fireworks at risk. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolau added: “The thought that the fireworks and other major events could be in jeopardy is truly alarming.

“Access to Glebe Island for preparing events is vital for the events sector and for Sydney’s economy, tourism and culture.”

Events bosses have not made a collective submission on the possible loss of Glebe Island facilities as they await the report likely to land before the end of the year.

“Because the Port Authority has had management of the site and their support for events is strong, we’ve seen that as the state government supporting our events,” said Mr Huie.

“But this report that’s coming has given everyone the jitters. We don’t know what is going on.

“These events are too important to Sydney. People around the world know us for our NYE celebrations.

“It would be terrible if we had to scale that back because a necessary work site was not available.”

Mr Huie said Botany, Port Kembla or Newcastle were not alternatives to Glebe Island.

“I’d laugh at anyone suggesting that,” he said. “There’s no way you’d be loading barges there and then shipping them here.

“Logistics require clear weather windows of opportunity. It would be unworkable, virtually impossible.

“But why does that even have to be considered when we’ve got a working wharf right here.”

City of Sydney hosts the NYE fireworks.

A spokesman said: “Any proposed plans for the Glebe Island site is a matter for the state government.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is a wonderful celebration of our multicultural, harmonious, safe and inclusive community, and it helps us promote Sydney and our stunning harbour setting to the world.

“As one of the first cities in the world to ring in the New Year, we set the benchmark with a spectacle that reflects what our beautiful city is all about.”

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