City to be the star of New Year’s Eve fireworks display
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor is promising the most spectacular New Year’s Eve show the city has ever seen with up to 400,000 people expected to attend this year’s “Reach for the Stars” celebration.
VIC News
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More than 14 tonnes of fireworks will be launched from 22 rooftops around central Melbourne during the New Year’s Eve spectacular to herald the next decade.
Up to 400,000 people are expected to attend the celebration which this year has the theme “Reach for the Stars”.
The council will spend $3.4 million on the event, including $235,000 on fireworks, with most of the balance on security measures.
Two bursts of fireworks will be discharged again this year, with the family show in Yarra Park at 9.30pm and then the 10-minute barrage at midnight to welcome in 2020.
Melbourne DJ MzRizk will pump out a 10-minute soundtrack to the midnight show.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp promised the most spectacular NYE celebration yet.
“If you can see the skyline then you’ll be able to see the midnight fireworks,’’ Cr Capp said. “Expect a colourful display that will include more than 7500 aerial shells and 36,000 rooftop effects.”
The Reach for the Stars theme aimed to encourage everyone to set new goals for 2020, she said.
Four alcohol-free zones have been established for revellers to watch the midnight fireworks, at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain.
Cr Capp added: “This year 525 security guards, 118 marshals and 22 area wardens will be employed for the celebrations.’’ A total of 5.9km of security fencing will be erected around the city for the night.
Public transport after 6pm will be free until normal services resume on New Year’s Day. Extra services will run through the night.
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The New Year’s Eve revelry across central Melbourne is forecast to generate $8.6 million in economic benefit.
The Salvation Army will collect on the night to raise money to support teams fighting bushfires around the country. The reminder of the impact of the blazes comes as fire chiefs warn about the use of illegal fireworks.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade acting chief executive David Bruce said a small fire started by fireworks could quickly escalate to threaten the community. “Last summer our firefighters were called to 17 fires sparked by fireworks, risking lives,’’ he said.