Melbourne and its neighbouring beaches will be swarmed with security and police on NYE
CCTV, private security and police have been boosted ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Melbourne. The crackdown comes after several years of chaos due to gang violence.
VIC News
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Hundreds of frontline police will be on red alert in one of Victoria’s biggest statewide operations as the city brings in a new decade.
Police will swarm the CBD and popular beach spots in a bid to keep New Year’s Eve revellers safe.
In recent years violent gangs have terrorised beachgoers at Chelsea and the Mornington Peninsula and trashed the St Kilda foreshore in the lead up to celebrations.
Police will be out in force this year to prevent similar anti-social attacks while alcohol bans are in place in popular spots.
“New Year’s Eve is one of our biggest statewide policing operations, with hundreds of frontline police working across Victoria,” a police spokeswoman said.
“The community can expect to see a high-visible police presence in the CBD, along the foreshore and other popular holiday destinations.”
With 400,000 people expected in Melbourne’s CBD, more than $3 million has been dedicated to security on the night.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said 525 security guards, 118 marshals and 22 area wardens would be employed for the celebrations.
Almost 6km of fencing would also be installed across the city, she said.
“Safety and security are the highest priorities of our planning for New Year’s Eve every year and for all of our other major events,” she said.
Melbourne City Council expects the event to pay off with the economic benefit estimated at $8.6 million.
The start of 2020 will be celebrated with a 10-minute fireworks display from 22 rooftops.
More than 14 tonnes of fireworks will be used for the spectacular, themed Reach For The Stars, which will pay homage to the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
The party atmosphere will also flow along the Yarra River.
Ollie Swan, director of boat charter company GoBoats, said a trip along the river was the perfect way to kick off celebrations.
“You’re situated in the city, with a picnic and a few drinks to yourself on the water,” he said.
“It’s a great afternoon and a way you can embrace the city without being stuck in a crowd.
“We run all day until sunset, and we’re totally booked out for the evening, but still have some booking open for during the day.”
Celebration zones at official sites at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain will be alcohol-free.
In St Kilda, where tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the foreshore, planning has been underway since July.
As well as a boosted police and council presence CCTV cameras installed at St Kilda beach will live stream to police.
Port Phillip mayor Bernadene Voss said the council had worked closely with Victoria Police and would enforce strict alcohol bans.
Port Phillip also falls within Victoria Police’s Operation Summer Safe, which increases the police presence along the foreshore down to the Mornington Peninsula.
“We urge everyone who will be ringing in the New Year in Port Phillip to have a great night but not leave our City with a nasty hangover. That means following the alcohol ban and binning rubbish,” Cr Voss said.
An alcohol ban applies to the entire St Kilda foreshore precinct all summer, including at beach and foreshore reserves.
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Police have asked the Kingston Council to boost its surveillance presence after beachgoers at Chelsea were last year terrorised by a gang of youths in the lead up to New Year’s Eve.
There have also been problems in recent weeks.
The council has vowed to introduce two new CCTV systems in the new year, bringing to 13 the total number of cameras in Chelsea.
New systems have already been installed in and around Mordialloc Life Saving Club and Carrum Surf Life Saving Club and all existing CCTV systems in other foreshore areas have been updated.
Kingston Council spokeswoman Kesha West said the council would work proactively with Victoria Police to ensure the safety of everyone enjoying the foreshore areas.
Kingston also has a number of 24-hour alcohol-free zones.