NYE Birds of Tokyo event at Darwin Waterfront cancelled but Territorians all smiles
Plans to ring in the New Year at the Birds of Tokyo gig have been called off after a severe weather warning was issued. But Territorians are still getting out and about.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Darwin’s NYE celebrations have been dampened with organisers of the city’s main event calling the festivities off.
Award-winning band Birds of Tokyo was set to play at the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday night in a free New Year’s Eve event.
However the precinct said the highly-anticipated concert would not go ahead.
“Due to the ongoing severe weather the Darwin Waterfront New Year’s Event, including the scheduled firework displays, is cancelled,” Darwin Waterfront Corporation said in a statement.
“We are disappointed the event cannot proceed as planned, but the safety of patrons, performers and contractors remains our top priority.”
Organisers said they would work with Birds of Tokyo and local artists to explore options to reschedule the event to a later date.
Restaurants at the waterfront will remain open on New Year’s Eve.
BOM community information officer Patch Clapp said between 30mm and 60mm of rain was expected over much of the Top End’s coastline, with isolated falls of up to 150mm possible.
Damaging winds of up to 90km/h could hit areas from Palmerston to Nhulunbuy.
“Anywhere in that kind of area could be seeing damaging wind gusts,” Mr Clapp said.
“We’ll continue to see those over the weekend.
“We’re watching where ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie moves and that sort of interaction with the monsoon will change how long we continue to see this monsoonal weather.”
Darwin was forecast to receive between 25mm and 70mm on Saturday, while up to 70mm could fall on New Year’s Day.
In the 24 hours to 9am Saturday, 80mm of rain fell at Darwin Airport, while Wagait Beach copped the most rain across the Territory, recording 90mm.
Gusts of 96km/h were recorded at the airport.
The wet weather didn’t stop Territorians getting out on Saturday despite the rain pouring down setting in.
Palmerston’s Chris Gatt and his family were spending New Year’s Eve in Darwin but would have to make other plans after the waterfront event was cancelled.
Darwin Waterfront’s NYE event was planned to feature local artists Mel Gray and Glen Forner, as well as kids’ entertainment by the Bananas in Pyjamas.
Two-time ARIA winning band Birds of Tokyo was to take the crowd to a fireworks display at 9pm before DJ Lady Kay brought in the new year.
The event was to be non-ticketed, alcohol and smoke free if it went ahead.
A “a very heavy” police presence will be present in Darwin throughout the night, with Commander James Joseph O’Brien urging people to stay off the water amid “very wet and windy conditions”.
“We would implore people who are planning on launching boats and attending the festivities from the water to rethink those plans,” he said.
“I’ve just been past the water and had a look at the sea state and it is not suitable to a friendly environment.
“Additionally, anybody planning outdoor activities, again, they need to be rethought.”
He said it was likely events planned for New Year’s Eve would be cancelled.
On the ground: Man shot in ‘targeted attack’ in Darwin suburb
Police are hunting for armed offenders and a man has been rushed to hospital after a shooting in Darwin’s northern suburbs, with witnesses sharing their account. WATCH >
DRU 2024-25: Top performers and point scorers of round named
The NT News sport team has run the rule over the DRU grade competition, compiling a list of the top performers and point scorers from Round 12. See who made it from your club.