New Year’s Eve fireworks: What’s cancelled and what’s still on
The City of Sydney is warning those sensitive to smoke to reconsider travelling to the Sydney fireworks tonight. Five Sydney fireworks displays have been cancelled due to extreme weather. Here’s the complete list of what’s on and what’s been scrapped.
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The City of Sydney has issued a bizarre warning to people sensitive to smoke and others with pre-existing health conditions ahead of the Sydney Harbour fireworks tonight.
The council tweeted the air quality reading was poor earlier on New Year’s Eve.
“If you’re sensitive to smoke or have a pre-existing condition that could be made worse, please delay coming into the City early,” the city tweeted.
The air quality reading is currently poor. If you're sensitive to smoke or have a pre-existing condition that could be made worse, please delay coming into the City early. Find live updates on vantage points at: https://t.co/lvGOon4IPW #SydNYE
— City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) December 30, 2019
Ten fireworks displays across Sydney have now been cancelled due to worsening fire conditions and extreme winds expected later in the evening.
Fireworks at Dee Why, Bayview, Miranda, Parramatta, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Wollongong, Gosford, The Entrance and Canberra have been cancelled, though all seven councils will still run celebrations sans explosives to celebrate the new year.
Late this evening the family fireworks at Bright-Le-Sands, in Sydney’s south, were all cancelled, citing concerns with erratic weather.
Fairfield City Council was also expected to make a last minute decision in conjunction with NSW Fire and Rescue despite being granted an exemption to proceed.
However, Sydney’s world famous New Year’s Eve fireworks got the green light for tonight after fire experts rejected calls to cancel them for the first time in their 43 year history.
The Rural Fire Service declared they could proceed safely despite a total fire ban across NSW and several major bushfires still burning.
The iconic harbourside show — first staged in 1976 — pumps $130 million into the state’s economy but had been under threat from the extreme heat and wind forecast for today. There were also calls for it to be cancelled out of sympathy to bushfire-hit regions.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro was among those who supported the cancellation of the event, broadcast across the world.
“If regional areas have had fireworks banned, then let’s not have two classes of citizens. We’re all in this crisis together,” he tweeted.
Parramatta mayor Bob Dwyer said the decision was made to cancel festivities after consultation with NSW Fire and Rescue and the Bureau of Meteorology.
“Council was not granted an exemption to proceed with its fireworks display due to the total fire ban in place and a range of other associated risks,” he said.
Mr Dwyer said the council was making a $10,000 donation to the NSW Rural Fire Service, and encouraged other members of the community to do what they can.
Campbelltown City Council General Manager Lindy Deitz said cancelling was a deeply difficult decision.
“The weather forecast tomorrow will only worsen conditions for our firefighters and we felt this decision was a necessary one.”
The 226,000ha Green Wattle Creek fire in the Wollondilly local government area near the Macarthur region is still burning out of control at the city’s outskirts.
Liverpool City Council has also cancelled their fireworks due to concerns about conditions, though the New Year’s Eve event at Chipping Norton will still proceed.
Westfield Miranda has also cancelled their fireworks and replaced them with a laser show.
The Manly Cove fireworks are the last remaining event on the Northern Beaches after the local council cancelled fireworks at Dee Why and Bayview due to dangerous conditions.
The NSW National Parks’ NYE at The Mast Precinct at Bradley’s Head on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, has also been cancelled due to severe fire danger ratings and extreme weather warnings including high winds.
North Sydney Council have also confirmed Balls Head Reserve at Waverton has been closed due to elevated fire risks.
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WEATHER
It’s going to be hot, hot, hot in Sydney and its surrounds on New Year’s Eve day and night before a forecast late, gusty change.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting temperatures to hit 33 in the Sydney area but soar to 44 degrees in Penrith and 42 in Parramatta, Liverpool and Campbelltown.
Canberra is forecast to hit 38 degrees with the chance of a gusty thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
There is a forecast of 21 to 37 for Newcastle.
SYDNEY HARBOUR SCHEDULE
From 7pm: There will be a tugboat water display, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Gadigal Elders, an aerial display at 8pm with the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons lighting up at 8:30pm
9pm: Family fireworks.
12pm: Fireworks last for 12 minutes.
FIREWORKS ACROSS SYDNEY
BRADLEYS HEAD
The NSW National Parks’ NYE at The Mast Precinct has been cancelled due to severe fire danger ratings and extreme weather warnings including high winds.
Ticket-holders to the family-friendly event at Bradleys Head Mast precinct were notified via text the event had been cancelled and they would receive a full refund.
The event was to offer live music, entertainment and food as well as a great vantage point of Sydney Harbour for the City of Sydney fireworks.
BALLS HEAD RESERVE
North Sydney Council have confirmed Balls Head Reserve at Waverton has been closed for NYE due to elevated fire risks. The popular vantage point will be closed to the public and fenced off tomorrow morning.
MIRANDA
Westfield Miranda has cancelled their planned fireworks event and replaced it with a laser show to accompany other live entertainment for New Year’s Eve.
PARRAMATTA
New Year’s Eve festivities at Parramatta Park, including fireworks, have been cancelled due to expected extreme weather conditions.
Parramatta Mayor Bob Dwyer said the decision was made to cancel the fireworks after consultation with NSW Fire and Rescue and the Bureau of Meteorology.
NORTHERN BEACHES
Manly’s fireworks are the only ones going ahead on the northern beaches after the local council cancelled events at Dee Why and Bayview due to dangerous weather conditions.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool City Council has cancelled their fireworks at Chipping Norton due to dangerous conditions, but their celebrations will proceed despite the cancelled fireworks.
CENTRAL COAST
Central Coast Council put up a message on Facebook on New Year’s Eve saying they have decided to cancel fireworks at Gosford Waterfront and The Entrance, but the locations would still provide a range of entertainment, live music and food.
NORTHERN BEACHES
DEE WHY
Northern Beaches Council’s Dee Why fireworks have been cancelled, less than 12 hours before they were due to begin.
“Sorry to let you know the Dee Why fireworks tonight are cancelled due to extreme weather conditions,” the council stated on Facebook.
“Our contractors advise that the predicted large swells and very high winds make it unsafe for the barge fireworks to operate tonight.”
MANLY COVE
Manly’s sky will likely be lit with fireworks, hosted by local businesses with support from Northern Beaches Council.
The fireworks event at Manly Cove, East and West Esplanade Reserves at 9pm is the last event standing on the Northern Beaches due to extreme weather conditions.
Road closures will be in place on Tuesday from 5pm to 10.30pm. Meanwhile, there will also be an alcohol prohibited area at Manly Cove Foreshore at West Esplanade and East Esplanade for 24 hours from 8pm and 8am.
BAYVIEW
Northern Beaches Council has also cancelled the Bayview fireworks due to the fire risk.
EASTERN SUBURBS
COOGEE
Fireworks will go ahead at Randwick City Council’s Coogee Sparkles event on New Year’s Eve.
Every year Randwick City Council presents the family-friendly Coogee Sparkles fireworks at 9pm.
Families, local community and visitors gather along the coast at Coogee Beach to watch this fabulous 15-20 minute fireworks display.
The fireworks are set off from Dunningham Reserve, located north of Coogee Beach.
The Coogee Sparkles can be seen from a distance and there are many vantage points in surrounding suburbs, including Grant and Trenerry Reserves, Clovelly Beach carpark, Burrows Park headland and local restaurants and hotels.
Buses will not be affected by road closures but those travelling by car will encounter road closures on Coogee Bay Rd, Arden St, Alfreda St, Dolphin St, Brook St, Hill St and Vicar St.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
SUTHERLAND SHIRE
Westfield Miranda’s free rooftop fireworks have been cancelled and replaced with a laser show.
The shopping centre has partnered with the Salvation Army to collect donations for their Disaster Relief Fund to support communities affected by NSW bushfires.
BAYSIDE
Brighton Le Sands’ popular family fireworks will also proceed at 9pm.
There will be significant event road closures and clearways in place in Brighton Le Sands between December 31 and January 1 as a result.
Bayside Council will be collecting gold coin donations for the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery program.
“Your donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery helps their emergency teams to do their work,” the council stated.
“It enables them to give people the support they need in disasters: whether that’s help to prepare, a safe place to take shelter, psychological first aid, information, and practical support through the months and even years it can take to recover.”
The council also reminded visitors there may be a total fire ban in place due to current weather conditions and the use of solid fuel barbecues would be forbidden in that case.
WESTERN SYDNEY
PENRITH
Facebook posts from Panthers Leagues Club indicate their fireworks will proceed at their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The Rio Carnivale-themed event starts at 3pm and includes fireworks, carnival rides, roaming performers, a live theatre show, kids’ entertainment and face painting, and DJs until late.
“During the month of December, we’re collecting donations to assist the Regentville Rural Fire Brigade with battling these mega-fires that surround us,” the club stated.
“Come down on NYE and support Regentville Rural Fire Brigade with a gold coin donation. Anything you can donate will be helpful and all money raised will go to into the purchasing of firefighting equipment.”
SOUTHWEST SYDNEY
CAMPBELLTOWN
Campbelltown City Council has pulled the plug on its New Year’s Eve fireworks, but a celebration at Koshigaya Park will still go ahead as planned.
Campbelltown Council’s general manager Lindy Deitz said the decision wasn’t an easy one.
“We are acutely aware of the bushfire situation that has gripped our region,” she said.
“The weather forecast tomorrow will only worsen conditions for our firefighters and we felt this decision was a necessary one.
“I would still encourage people to come down and support our fundraising efforts for the Dilly Drought Drive and our neighbours who have suffered from the fires.”
FAIRFIELD
At this stage Fairfield City Council’s Illuminate show at Fairfield Showground will include a fireworks finale at 9.30pm but NSW Fire and Rescue will make a decision at the final moment.
The council has received approval to proceed with the fireworks but will ultimately defer to NSW Fire and Rescue moments before the show begins as to whether the conditions are safe.
There will be family-friendly entertainment all evening from 5pm until 10pm and a gold-coin collection which the council will match dollar-for-dollar.
All money raised will be split between the Salvation Army’s Disaster Appeal which is providing food, shelter and essentials to evacuees and first responders, and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal assisting affected wildlife, pets and livestock.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool City Council’s Light Up The Lake celebration at Grand Flaneur Beach in Chipping Norton has cancelled their fireworks after final consultation with the RFS.
There will still be a dedicated carnival zone, food trucks in The Eats precinct and lots of space to pull up a picnic blanket and relax with a view of the main stage entertainment.
Council staff will also collect donations for the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Gates open at 5pm, with entertainment kicking off at 7pm.
CENTRAL COAST
GOSFORD AND THE ENTRANCE
Central Coast Council put up a message on Facebook on New Year’s Eve saying they have decided to cancel fireworks at Gosford Waterfront and The Entrance, but the locations would still provide a range of entertainment, live music and food.
NEWCASTLE AND SURROUNDS
Newcastle City Council was planning to continue with its fireworks display although it was closely monitoring the forecast.
“We’re taking a risk-based approach to our fireworks display and are planning to continue with our largest ever show tomorrow night as unlike most councils we are fortunate to have a beautiful harbour and foreshore location for our fireworks display,’’ a council spokesman said.
New Year’s Eve family fireworks will again take place outside the Civic Centre from 6pm.
For those who wish to party until late, head down to Newcastle’s Quay side to enjoy the midnight fireworks in conjunction with NE1, Newcastle’s Business Improvement District.
Maitland has cancelled its fireworks display after it deemed the risk “too great” following a meeting with the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
The fireworks planned for Wangi, on Lake Macquarie, were still going ahead although another display at Caves Beach has been cancelled.
Port Stephens is still planning its fireworks display at d’Albora Marina.
WOLLONGONG
After closely monitoring weather conditions, Wollongong City Council made the decision on Monday evening that its New Year’s Eve celebrations would go ahead, without fireworks.
“Previous total fire bans have not included fireworks – this ban does. When we consider this ban in light of the strong southerly predicted to pass through Wollongong in the lead up to the 9pm fireworks display, we have decided not use our event’s fireworks exemption and instead cancel this aspect of the community celebrations,” Wollongong City Acting Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said.
“By taking this step now, we’re able to let our community know what they can expect from the event tomorrow night and avoid a last-minute cancellation of the display.’’
CANBERRA
New Year’s in the City in Canberra’s Civic Square will no longer have fireworks due to a total fire ban in the Australian Capital Territory.
However, family entertainment, pop-up performers, live music including Sydney artist Asta and local food offerings will all proceed at the family-friendly celebration from 6pm.
“It is a sensible decision for us not to proceed with the fireworks in the ACT,” ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner Georgeina Whelan said.
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