Melbourne brings in 2020 in style with dazzling fireworks display
Hundreds of thousands of Melburnians flooded to the CBD to celebrate the start of the new year, with the fireworks proving to be a hit with revellers of all ages.
VIC News
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Cheers erupted in Melbourne’s CBD as a stunning fireworks display brought in the new year.
An estimated 400,000 people were in the city last night to watch the incredible show and celebrate the beginning of a decade.
Fourteen tonnes of fireworks were launched off 22 CBD rooftops.
People spilled out of bars and restaurants ahead of the midnight fireworks to watch the 10-minute display.
They hugged, kissed and and cheered as the fireworks lit up the sky.
Meanwhile, police were called to more than a dozen assaults as New Year’s celebrations turned violent.
There were a total of 132 arrests, with 12 people taken in custody in relation to 16 assaults.
Six robberies, nine weapons and 31 drug offences were also recorded statewide.
Police conducted 682 weapons searches throughout the night, resulting in four arrests.
More than 2500 preliminary breath tests were conducted, and 180 penalty notices were issued for traffic offences.
Seventy four people were also arrested for being drunk.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said most revellers were well behaved.
“Overwhelmingly our police saw great behaviour by crowds overnight, both in the CBD and at suburban and regional community celebrations, with people taking responsibility for their own behaviour and looking out for the mates,” he said.
“There were a small number of people who did the wrong thing. Those people faced a swift and firm response from police so the fun wasn’t spoiled for the broader community.”
Yasumi Maneka and Nikita Nadan are best mates and they were in the city for one thing.
“The fireworks 100 per cent. We came in for them - and to be outside. Last year we were inside, so we wanted to be outside this year and to see everyone” Ms Nadan said.
Eighty-five Australian and international pyrotechnicians put together the fireworks display, and it appeared to go off without a hitch.
The family fireworks at 9.30pm were also a hit with the crowd.
Lisa and husband Jason Davidson have been celebrating New Year’s Eve in Melbourne for years, but said now that they had children it was a different kind of party.
“You know, as I walked into here I saw the people heading into the city and on balconies and was glad this was my New Year now,” Ms Davidson said, adding that she was “glad they went ahead with it, despite the horrible fires”.
Julian Edwards was with a group of mates travelling from New York.
New Year’s Eve is not normally warm for the visiting Americans, so he was just happy that “I don’t have to wear a coat”.
“Australia does big events well, so I’ve heard, and so far it has been really easy to get around,” Mr Edwards said.
“There’s lots of police but it doesn't feel foreboding like it does back home.”
Thousands gathered at Federation Square, many dancing to music, as they waited for the midnight fireworks.
The best vantage points there and along the Yarra were taken early, as thousands mingled ahead of the countdown.
At St Kilda beach, a small crowd braved the cool weather and enjoyed picnics on the foreshore.
People were partying at bars along the waterfront which were hosting ticketed events.
Couple Caitlin McKenna-Reid, 23, and Daniel Smith, 27, were enjoying an early drink in St Kilda before heading home to Bundoora to get a view where they could look out over the city’s fireworks display.
Ms McKenna-Reid said her New Year’s resolution was to get fit and Mr Smith said his was to be better with money.
Canberra father of two Ryan Lopez took an Esky full of food and drinks to the St Kilda foreshore with his children, Ryley and Reign.
He said the family was planning to spend New Year’s Day heading down to the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road.
Thousands of police officers were last night joined by hundreds of specially hired security guards.
The huge crowds were transported into the city on trams, trains and buses that were free until 6am this morning.
AMBOS KEPT BUSY BY ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
Revellers caught in the crossfire of shonky fireworks and drunk and disorderly patrons made up some of the 153 calls paramedics attended on New Years Eve.
Acting Director of Emergency Management Justin Dunlop said extra paramedics rostered on were kept busy all night.
‘The majority of Triple Zero calls were for people who were drunk, a few assaults, and a small number of drug oversdoses,’ Mr Dunlop said.
‘The workload peaked just after midnight and crews were busy until seven o’clock this morning.”
Three men were taken to hospital with face and hand injuries after fireworks went off, while a fourth was hospitalised after lighting 20 sparklers.
The first calls received in 2020 included:
A man in his 30s has burns to he face after a firecracker went off near him at Oakleigh just after midnight. He was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
• A man in his 20s has hand injuries after a firecracker exploded at Roxburgh Park. He made his own way to hospital before paramedics arrived.
• A man in his 20s burnt his hand when he lit up 20 sparklers at Carrum. He was taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition.
• A man in his 20s has burns to the face after a firecracker went off near him at Healesville. He was taken to Maroondah Hospital in a stable condition.
‘We are concerned that people who didn’t use all of their illegal fireworks last night may set them off on Australia Day. We urge who has illegal fireworks should contact Worksafe to arrange their safe disposal.
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Paramedics also spent the night selflessly working to help those in communities affected by bushfires.
‘We know that New Year’s Eve is always busy in the CBD and holiday areas, but we’ve had paramedics working in areas affected by bushfires in the Hume and Gippsland regions.
‘In some cases paramedics stayed in areas that had been cut off by fire including in Mallacoota to assist their communities’, Mr Dunlop said.