Safety fears lead to NYE party cancellation on Sydney Harbour
Safety fears have led to the cancellation of one of the biggest and best loved New Year’s Eve parties, which is held on Sydney Harbour.
Mosman
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The popular New Year’s Eve fireworks event at North Sydney Olympic Pool is cancelled over safety fears.
About 1700 people attend the party every year but experts have advised to limit the number of people on the concourse.
“It’s really sad,” North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said.
“Our engineering advice is that we need to limit the number of people who can be on the pool concourse at any one time.
“With 1700 people at the event, this would be difficult to manage and we are not prepared to take a risk with people’s lives.”
Residents who have purchased tickets in the pre-sale in recent weeks will receive a full refund. The NYE Family Fun Night at the pool has been running for more than 20 years.
The decision may have implications for future school swimming carnivals and Cr Gibson predicted that these may also have to be cancelled.
The council has plans to redevelop the pool but Cr Gibson said the council cannot commit until the State Government promises to chip in $10m. The federal government has already promised $10m.
The council’s redevelopment would cost $57.9m. It includes an updated 50m pool, a family leisure pool and a new grandstand.
It has previously warned the ageing venue could close prematurely if government funding was not forthcoming.
Engineers have found significant spalling and corrosion in the grandstand, and fewer spectators have been allowed access. The 50m pool is also leaking.
The pool, concourse and grandstand are still safe for everyday use.