Sydney fireworks: Premier hits back at Labor’s plans to make NYE free for all
NSW Labor’s vow to stop private operators charging for New Year’s Eve events on public land is likely to ruffle more than a few feathers after being panned by the Premier. Have your say.
NSW
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Labor has laid the groundwork for a brawl with private event operators – signalling they may prevent public land from being used for commerce on New Year’s Eve.
After The Daily Telegraph revealed Labor would end fees of up to $70 on public parks around the harbour forecourt for the New Year’s fireworks, acting Labor leader Prue Car went further and said private operators “won’t be charging for events on public land on New Year’s” if Labor wins the March state election.
Ms Car said the policy was “fully costed” and the government would be able to pay for security and cleaning at public parks with the existing budget.
Ms Car was hesitant to be definitive on what Labor would and would not allow, citing a lack of visibility over existing contracts with private operators, but she said people should be able to access public land on New Year’s Eve just like any other day of the year.
“There will be private events that is separate to events being held on public places,” she said.
“The aim of this policy is to ensure that all public spaces are free of charge to sit on with the family and enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks.
“The difference under a Labor a government is that you won’t be charged to enjoy them. They won’t be charging for events on public places on New Year’s.”
The comments are likely to ruffle the feathers of private operators just days out from the first New Year’s Eve without the widespread threat of Covid and restrictions since 2020. Premier Dominic Perrottet slammed Labor’s announcement as “bread and circuses”.
“We have ticketed events that are free … We have so many free places right across the harbour. This is an embarrassing announcement that shows the lack of policy depth,” Mr Perrottet said.
“More than half the ticketed arrangements around the harbour are free for people plus all the other vantage points around the harbour, but if that’s their big election announcement it just shows they haven’t got the policy depth to take the state forward.”
Under the current arrangements, public land can be hired by private operators for paid events which include entertainment and food and drink packages along with the best views of the fireworks.
At the Calyx in the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is free on any other day of the year, revellers fork out $595 for “plenty of entertainment throughout the night, free-flowing drinks, canapes and food stations”. The funds go towards the gardens’ conservation and horticulture work. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service-managed Shark Island is also rented out for parties on New Year’s, fetching $259.57 per ticket.
For a similar experience at Goat Island, which is sold out this year, punters pay $227.46 per person.
SYDNEY’S NYE FIREWORKS WILL BE FREE AGAIN, LABOR VOW
New Year’s Eve revellers will be able to enjoy the city’s iconic fireworks celebration for free from sought-after harbourside locations currently charging up to $70 per person — if Labor is elected to government next year.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Labor leader Chris Minns has vowed to forego the revenue from the ticketed events to let people watch the iconic fireworks for free.
Mr Minns is announcing the populist move today in the summer lull — a decision that is likely to surprise his opponent and cement Labor’s desire to fight tooth-and-nail at the polls in March.
The state government began charging attendees to watch fireworks at select sites several years ago but the scheme was expanded further to ensure social distancing and crowd control during the height of the pandemic.
Labor will reverse the decision if elected — making spots like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Barangaroo Reserve, and Hickson Reserve free to access once again.
This year, a spot at Barangaroo Reserve will cost adults $57.10 and children $26 while tickets for a picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens start at $30.
A spot at the sold out Hickson Reserve would set punters back between $37.50 to $70 this year.
“We have the most beautiful harbour and the most beautiful city, and every person should be able to enjoy it without a cost,” Mr Minns said.
“That’s what Labor will do if we are elected. We want families and friends to head out and enjoy the fireworks around our harbour – for free.
“A night out with family or friends in Sydney, ushering in the new year, that’s priceless.”
City of Sydney Labor Councillor Linda Scott has consistently opposed tickets at Sydney parks on New Year’s Eve.
“Charging for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve is a tax on fun,” she said.
“Let’s ring in 2023 with fun and fairness, not views for the few.”
Sydneysider Lucy Ridge said she could see advantages to both free and ticketed events.
“On one hand yes, we should be able to watch them for free, on the other hand, there are a lot of safety measures to keep in mind, and ticketing these events keeps everyone safe and the crowds to a level that can still be controlled,” she said.
“I think a better way to go about it is by booking a spot for free so you can enjoy the new year festivities while also staying safe.”
For those looking for a free spot to enjoy this year’s celebration the Sydney Opera House Forecourt is a spectacular, and cost-free, vantage point to soak up the world famous 9pm and midnight fireworks displays.
But organisers have warned the venue, which opens at 8am, is set to reach capacity early.
Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve at Milsons Point are also free vantage points, but capacity will be capped at 9800.
Families can also get access to Bradfield Park right under the bridge free-of-charge, but alcohol is prohibited and tickets are capped at 17,000.
Usual fireworks displays will also take place outside the city centre, including free fireworks on the Northern Beaches at 9pm, and five shows across Parramatta where tickets are $5.
Karan Dayal and his wife Aditi came to see the fireworks last year but will be giving ticketed events a miss this year.
“Last time we did come into the city to look at the fireworks,” Mr Dayal said.
”This year we’d probably have a view of the fireworks anyway from where we live so we wouldn’t go to any ticketed events.”
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