Hope reigns as new decade arrives amid drought, firestorms
The nation is striding into 2020 but it’s hope rather than any sense of joy that is the most common emotion among Australians celebrating the end of a challenging year | WATCH
The nation strode into 2020 overnight but it was hope rather than any sense of joy that was the most common emotion among Australians celebrating the end of a challenging year as political leaders lined up to praise those continuing to fight blazes stretching across three states.
The bushfire threat looming over celebrations meant there was no avoiding that 2019 had brought sorrow and heartache for many Australians caught up in the blazes or battling the ever-tightening grip of drought on their livelihoods.
But millions found reason to party all the same and to farewell a year in which the power and cruelty of Mother Nature was often at the centre of the nation’s consciousness.
In Sydney, a gusty night greeted revellers waiting for the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks on the harbour. It was a contrast to last year when a thunderstorm and torrential rain marred celebrations.
Happy New Year! 🎆
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 31, 2019
Watch as Australia brings in the new year with a fireworks display in Sydney.
Follow the 2020 celebrations here 👉 https://t.co/MYNPNDytQM pic.twitter.com/Zl1nYdfRf9
Organisers said this year's Sydney Harbour Bridge display would be the biggest ever, with 1100 additional fireworks posed to be fired from the bridge.
Pyrotechnic letters spelled out the New Year’s Eve countdown and the word ‘Sydney’.
Organisers planned a show consisting of colour-changing stars, stained glass designed shells and glittering ‘willow’ effects in a synchronised light and music performance.
As temperatures dropped by 15C in the CBD, bikini tops were swapped for jumpers and families huddled under blankets outside the Sydney Opera House as thousands wait for the city’s first fireworks display to begin.
they really chose RED fireworks...#SydNYE #sydneyfireworks pic.twitter.com/rsz9bcdJRN
— yee (@RMsThiccThighs) December 31, 2019
The mercury plunged to 20.6C after a southerly change swept across Sydney, bringing cooler temperatures and gusty winds.
Yannick Neuss, a 26-year-old German backpacker, said he had come prepared for the change in weather.
“I’ve brought two jumpers and a blanket because I knew we’d be waiting around all day,” he told The Australian.
“It was very hot today so it’s bit crazy it’s suddenly become so cold.”
Carla Bernardy, a 25-year-old backpacker from The Netherlands, said she was “incredibly excited” to witness the fireworks after watching the display on television for years.
“The atmosphere is amazing and now that it’s getting close I’m getting very excited.”
“The wind is a bit of a worry because of the bushfires though, I hope it doesn’t make the situation any worse.”
In Melbourne, an estimated 400,000 people crowded the banks of the Yarra and other celebration spots, with Lord Mayor Sally Capp confirming that a temperature drop would help ensure the city’s fireworks display was safe. But those doing it tough elsewhere were very much front of mind for revellers.
Mild conditions saw the new decade in, with 14 tonnes of fireworks lighting up the skyline from atop 22 city buildings. More than 7500 aerial shells and 36,000 rooftop effects powered the display.
Ms Capp said the celebrations were tempered by concerns about the fire emergency in Victoria and NSW and the ongoing national drought.
“On this night of celebration, we are conscious that many people are doing it tough in communities affected by drought and bushfires,” Ms Capp said.
“We will be working with the Salvation Army to raise money during the event to support emergency services teams responding to bushfires across the country.”
Security was paramount at the Melbourne event, billed as no-alcohol and family-friendly, with more than 500 security guards and 118 marshals working in addition to the police and emergency services contingent.
Ms Capp had a message to revellers about staying safe and looking out for others. “Please look after your mates and try to avoid waking up on the first day of 2020 with more than a hangover,” she said.
In Brisbane, an estimated 100,000 people gathered on the banks of the city’s river to usher in the new year. Nine barges filled with fireworks placed off the shores of Southbank Parklands provided a highlight, creating a pyrotechnic rainbow between the Victoria and Goodwill bridges.
South Bank and Kangaroo Point proved popular with those looking to secure the best vantage points, with many taking advantage of the mild 30C day by getting in early and picnicking.
Prime positions at the trendy Howard Smith Wharves precinct, nestled into the cliffs under the Story Bridge, were also popular given this was the first New Year’s celebration since the precinct’s opening.
James and Jenny Hurst are practised at battling the New Year’s crowds. Armed with food, a picnic blanket and lots of cushions, the couple and their three kids, Alex, 13, Will, 11, and Edward, 8, managed to secure a spot right on the edge of the Brisbane River at Southbank.
While the Hursts sympathised with the families facing the threat of blazes and the volunteer firefighters, they were glad the fireworks were going ahead in the River City.
“It isn’t as much of a biggie here. Brisbane is not threatened at the moment,” Mr Hurst said. “Having the fireworks or not doesn’t really make a difference.”
Ms Hurst added: “We come from somewhere that has had fires. This year they are cancelled and that makes sense.”
As far as 2020 is concerned, the Hursts are looking forward to taking the year as it comes.
The Edwards family doesn’t often come to the New Year’s Eve fireworks but wanted to show visiting relatives what Brisbane had to offer.
They arrived at 4pm to get a good vantage point on the grass forecourt at Southbank, bringing card games and their swimming togs to dip into the water at nearby Streets Beach before the celebrations began.
Harley and Jake Edwards, both 7, stayed up past their bedtime on Monday to practise their endurance for the family fireworks. “The most exciting thing is when the fireworks zoom up into the sky then explodes,” Harley said.
Across Queensland, police were out in force targeting anti-social and unruly behaviour with a zero-tolerance approach to violence.
Police urged revellers to remember that poor decisions could have dire consequences and that they should plan their night to make sure one moment, one split second, didn’t end up with lifelong implications.
The Adelaide City Council also resisted calls for the city’s fireworks celebrations to be cancelled due to the bushfire crisis, saying the display was contracted months in advance and that people would have already made plans for their trip into the city. The council was encouraging revellers to donate to the Vinnies SA Bushfire Appeal.
Both Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese referred to the bushfire crisis in their New Year’s messages.
The Prime Minister said he wished he had better news to share heading into 2020 with fires continuing to rage across several states. “The nature of the challenge is great and so in the days and weeks and months ahead I fear it will continue to be difficult,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said he hoped the new year would bring relief for everyone dealing with the “harsh reality” of the bushfire crisis. “I hope it gets easier for our brave firefighters, who have been putting themselves in harm’s way for so many months now,” he said.
Revellers gather on Sydney Harbour
Thousands of New Year’s Eve revellers crowded the Botanic Gardens in Sydney from early in the day.
Some began their New Year’s Eve camped out at 8am this morning, choosing to brave the searing temperatures and lingering smoke haze instead of running the risk of missing out on the perfect spot.
Tom Baer, 23, said he had come “all the way from The Netherlands” to see the “world’s best” pyrotechnics show.
“I’ve being here for about 14 hours now,” he told The Australian. “It’s my first time in Australia and seeing the fireworks are a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Mr Baer, who has spent the day basking in the afternoon sun with his girlfriend Namoi Rott and their two German friends, Wendy Schreuder and Anne-Marie Van Zijtveld, admitted he “felt really sorry” for those affected by bushfires.
“It would be great if some of the money spent here today was donated to the firefighters,” he said.
Ms Schreuder said she “felt a bit weird” about coming to enjoy the fireworks while deadly bushfires raged across Victoria and southern NSW. “
“My heart really goes out to everyone impacted by the fires,” she said. “But I’m pleased the fireworks are going ahead, I might never get another chance to see them up close.”
Ms Rott, 23, said she felt “a little guilty,” but was glad that the “show would go on.”
“The fires are really horrible and sad, but we’ve come halfway across the world to see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and it’s something you just can’t miss.”
This year’s celebrations have been overshadowed by calls to cancel the fireworks with
a petition to cancel the event out of respect for fire victims attracting more than 280,000 signatures.
Fireworks displays were scrapped in Canberra, and Sydney’s western suburbs and some northern due to elevated fire danger and extreme weather conditions but fire authorities said it was safe to go ahead over the water.
Critics wanted Sydney to use the $6.5 million spent on the display to fight bushfires ringing the city, but officials say the event is worth $130m to the economy and cancelling it would not help those impacted by the fires.
“We have committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought- and fire-affected communities,” Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
More than 100,000 fireworks will light up the skyline for 12 minutes to about one million spectators who usually crowd foreshores and parks.
Additional reporting: Kieran Gair, Stephen Lunn, Mackenzie Scott
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