Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp defends ‘embarrassing’ New Year fireworks
Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks displays have been blasted as an “embarrassment” and “a kick in the guts” to lockdown-weary Victorians.
Victoria
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Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks displays have been blasted as an “embarrassment” and “a kick in the guts” to lockdown-weary Victorians.
The CBD’s rooftop fireworks were cancelled for the ringing in of the new year and smaller displays were instead held across four “celebration zones”, with authorities keen to avoid attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the city.
Business groups yesterday slammed the muted celebrations and labelled them a “fizzer” compared with Sydney, which dazzled with a spectacular display on its harbour.
Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang told the Sunday Herald Sun that businesses doing it tough would have relied on a bigger display to attract more customers.
“We share the disappointment, when Victorians looked on their televisions, they saw the positive, proactive, Covid-safe way that Sydney went about entering the new year,” he said.
“And then saw the four fizzle-out zones of the City of Melbourne’s efforts to light up the night sky.”
The Melbourne events were free, with all 42,000 tickets sold out, while in Sydney tens of thousands of revellers enjoyed the display with images of the extravaganza beamed around the world.
Docklands Chamber of Commerce executive director Shane Wylie said businesses in the precinct were “not impressed” with the “inequality” between the two cities’ celebrations.
“The fireworks themselves were of a lesser standard than what they had been and were a half-baked attempt which achieved nothing,” he said.
“Attendees once inside (the zones) couldn’t access any of the bars and restaurants in
Docklands. Businesses have been waiting for that sugar hit, to welcome the crowds, and they didn’t get the boost they were expecting.”
In an online Herald Sun poll, 90 per cent of people voted “no” when asked if Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks were good enough.
Unimpressed revellers expressed their disappointment over the displays on social media, some labelling them “a kick in the guts” to lockdown-weary Victorians.
“Two hundred and sixty-two days of lockdown and our NYE fireworks was not only an embarrassment, but a kick in the guts to every one of us,” one Twitter user wrote.
“(Lord Mayor Sally Capp) should be ashamed of herself.”
“Good lord, Melbourne, I’ve done bigger fireworks displays from my backyard in Thornbury,” another wrote.
One Melburnian claimed a whole park of spectators booed the pyrotechnics, calling it the “worst fireworks display ever”.
Another Victorian wrote: “Melbourne’s fireworks were one dude standing on the Bolte Bridge with a glow stick.”
Lord Mayor Sally Capp defended the displays, and dismissed criticism that they had been the “worst”.
“That’s just not something I accept,” Ms Capp said.
“I think that it’s the best Covid-safe fireworks display we’ve ever had, remembering that we didn’t have fireworks at all in 2020.
“We really did everything we could to make sure that people could enjoy New Year’s Eve in the city in a Covid-safe way.”
Ms Capp said the City of Melbourne opted not to go ahead with skyline fireworks, as the displays usually attracted hundreds of thousands of people who would be “crammed into the city”.
“It’s a feeling I hope to experience again sometime soon, but not something that we felt was responsible to deliver in 2021,” she said.
Up to 100,000 people are estimated to have visited the city on New Year’s Eve, including to celebration zones and the New Year street feast.
ILLEGAL FIREWORKS SLAMMED
Emergency services have lashed Victorians who lit up illegal fireworks on New Year’s Eve after firefighters were forced to respond to more than 100 blazes caused by “unpredictable and volatile” fireworks.
Firefighters responded to 106 calls for help between 7pm December 31 and 7am January 1, with most of the requests believed to be for assistance to extinguish fires caused by fireworks.
An FRV spokeswoman said anyone who detonated “extremely dangerous” fireworks without a licence put themselves and others at risk.
“It is illegal for anyone other than licensed pyrotechnicians to use or possess fireworks, and that is for a good reason,” the spokeswoman said.
“Fireworks are unpredictable and volatile and require extensive and specific training to handle. If you are not a licensed pyrotechnician, you should never handle fireworks, as they are extremely dangerous,” she said.
“As first responders, our firefighters have seen too many devastating injuries from the impact of illegal firework incidents.
“If you choose to use illegal fireworks, you are not only putting yourself at risk but also others, including children and pets.”
Uniform, plain clothes and specialist police flooded Melbourne’s CBD on Friday night, monitoring crowd behaviour and maintaining public order well into the early hours of New Year’s Day.
There was also a significant police presence in suburban and regional areas across the state, including St Kilda foreshore, Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast and Phillip Island.
Of the 48 people arrested on New Year’s Eve, 14 were arrested for assault or affray.
11 people were apprehended for drunkenness and another eight were busted for drug-related offences.
Provisional statistics indicate two sexual assaults and a robbery took place overnight.
Officers were given additional search powers, with more than 1000 weapon searches conducted and 12 people arrested for weapons offences.
Police conducted about 4200 preliminary breath tests, with 13 people caught drug or drink driving.
Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said New Year’s Eve was one of the biggest statewide policing operations, with thousands of officers working through the day and night to keep the community safe.
“Overwhelmingly our police saw great behaviour by crowds overnight, both in the city and at suburban and regional community celebrations, with people taking responsibility for their own behaviour and looking out for their mates,” he said.
“There were a small number of people who did the wrong thing. Those people faced a swift response from police so celebrations weren’t spoiled for the broader community.”
HOW VICTORIANS CELEBRATED
Victorians gathered to ring in 2022 with tens of thousands of people flocking into the city and many others heading to the coast.
On a scorching hot day when the mercury hit 38C in Melbourne, revellers put another tough Covid-affected year behind them to toast the new year with family and friends.
Authorities had urged people to be cautious while celebrating, on a day when Victoria notched a record high 5919 new cases.
Thousands cheered as a midnight fireworks show exploded across the city, signalling a new beginning for a Covid-weary state.
Couples shared a midnight kiss and families posed for photos while the eight minute display was underway.
Revellers made the most of the occasion, with Marcus Resinszky, Narelle Franklin and her mother Bernadette Clancy dressing head to toe in strobe lights. Others lit sparklers to mark the end of what was a challenging year.
Marcus, 28, said he was happy to say goodbye to 2021 and says the night was one to remember.
“Im glad this year is over, the last two years have been a write off, I’m hoping next year will be better,” he said.
“There has been a great turn out given what we have all been through. It’s been great to have some fun and put 2021 behind us.”
Fireworks also lit up the Melbourne skyline at 9.30pm, with thousands of revellers treated to a display to mark the end of an unforgettable year.
The family fireworks, for those who couldn’t make it midnight or weren’t allowed to, came back with a bang – after they were cancelled last year due to COVID-19.
Crowds watched on as fireworks blasted throughout the 10-minute light show, which returned for three sets to the surprise of some partygoers.
Crackles, sizzling and loud pops could be heard throughout the colourful display, while dance music blared from nearby speakers as revellers bid farewell to 2021.
Crowds picked up in the city as the late afternoon sun began to drop, with thousands packing the Harbourside Esplanade to secure the best view of the family fireworks.
Comedy double act The Listies delivered anarchic potty humour and silly singalongs first-up, much of the amusement of the dozens of kids who danced alongside them.
Kids were laughing away as the duo, who were dressed in giant red inflatable costumes, performed several incoherent songs about animals and outer space.
The Listies were a big hit with Harvey, 7, Felix, 3, and Pia Morris, 5, who were especially excited to catch the performers for New Year’s Eve.
“The kids absolutely love The Listies,” said mother Eliza Morris.
“So, we have come down here just to watch them, it has been so nice to just get out of the house.
She added: “I’m looking forward to getting back to some normality next year, fingers crossed!”
Meanwhile, hundreds of revellers partied aboard The Lady Cutler river boat – leaving the Esplanade for a quick and boozy cruise tour to Williamstown and back, just in time for the fireworks display.
The partygoers celebrated the New Year with some of the best views in the city, drinking the night away with champagne and a live cover band as the boat toured the Yarra.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the city rang in the new year in true Melbourne style, celebrating the end of 2021 with world class entertainment and spectacular food across the city.
“Our ticketed celebration zones sold out, while thousands flocked to Street Feasts in a welcome boost for our traders,” she said.
“This NYE looked a little different due to Covid, and we are delighted that Melburnians embraced Covid-safe, ticketed events that allowed everyone to enjoy themselves while keeping safe.”
Beaches around Victoria were busy all day as people sought relief from the sweltering conditions.
One Phillip Island beachgoer said the best place to enjoy the day was in the water.
“It’s hot, but we’ve brought some inflatables down with us so we can enjoy the heat in the comfort of the water,” she said.
Boats, jet skis and inflatables were commissioned by the beach visitors to enjoy the warm weather.
Pubs and restaurants have seen an influx of people in previous weeks but it is welcome after the past year of desolation.
The Jetty Phillip Island owner Gabriel Caffieri said during lockdown his venue was struggling, but it’s “good to have people back again”.
Bar owner Sapphire Starr, from Southbank, planned to watch the fireworks and head to a bar in the city to celebrate the end of 2021.
“It will be fairly quiet, it’s usually a very big night,” she said.
“Let’s all look for some happiness in the new year.”
Ms Starr said she can’t wait to be reunited with her friends and family after spending years apart due to the pandemic.
“I will be going back to Sweden and Germany to see friends and family I haven’t seen in two years, that’s the main thing I’ll be looking forward to,” she said.
With the mercury pushing into the high 30Cs on the Mornington Peninsula on Friday afternoon, hundreds of people cooled off at Rye Beach.
A spot on the sand was prized real estate, with the beach packed out by families, young couples and groups of 20-something friends.
One group from Melbourne were excited by what the new year would offer.
“I’m definitely looking forward to next year, I’m sick of all the lockdowns,” Dallin Stewart, 19, said.
“I’ve got a new job starting next year so that’ll be fun.”
With mates Ben Martinez, 20, and Kalsie Timms, 17, the trio said the beach was the best place to celebrate the new year.
“Tonight we’re meeting up with other mates and we’ll hang out at the beach then we might go to a party,” Mr Stewart said.
Dad Alex Niceski admitted it had been a “tough year” as he played with his young sons, Theo, 3, and Luca, seven months, in the sand.
“We’re just celebrating with family and friends by having a relaxing time on the beach,” he said.
Having welcomed a new baby and just sold their house, the young father said not all of 2021 had been bad. “After the couple of years we’ve had it feels really good to get out of the city to relax and not think about work,” he said.
At Sorrento Beach, one group of young revellers made the trip to the seaside town from the city.
“We’ll be down by the beach for most of the arvo and tonight we’ll see what happens,” Josh Bortolussi said. “We come down here pretty often and we’re looking forward to the new year and being able to do things we haven’t been able to do this year.”
People also gathered on beaches around Phillip Island to soak up the sun for the last day of the year. One beachgoer said the best place to enjoy the day was in the water.
Ms Capp said Covid had thrown “another curve ball” in this year’s preparations.
Tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands, would be in the city, she said.
“There will be music and laughter, what’s not to love?’’ Cr Capp said.
Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics’ Rusty Johnson said it was “a very different year”.
“It’s not as big as in the past but we are so happy to be back to bring fireworks to the people of Melbourne,” he said.
The drone swarm display planned for Docklands had to be cancelled because of Covid-related issues in the operator’s preparation, but Cr Capp hopes it will be up and running early in the new year.
Ms Neville said “a substantial number” of police and PSOs would be out with a focus on safety.
“We know it’s going to be hot weather and there will be a lot of people out and about and Victoria Police will have a really strong focus on anti-social behaviour (and) violence,’’ Ms Neville said.
Mr Nugent said thousands of extra officers would be out in force to ensure a safe New Year’s Eve, with a focus on coastal areas such as the Surf Coast, Phillip Island and Lakes Entrance, as well as the Melbourne bayside areas.
— Additional reporting Miles Proust, Edward Bourke, Alexandra Middleton
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