Scott Morrison strikes ‘positive’ note for Sydney fireworks

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks to go ahead as planned.

Fireworks over the Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations last January. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison has called for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks to go ahead as planned, describing it as a demonstration of Australia’s optimism and positivity, despite bushfires threatening to cut ­celebrations in other parts of the country.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s City of Sydney council confirmed the fireworks would go ahead in co-ordination with state government agencies, despite high temperatures posing a potential fire danger. Temperatures around the state are expected to peak on Tuesday, with forecasts of more than 40C across parts of Sydney and regional NSW.

The famous annual celebrations are expected to attract one million people to the harbour foreshore and generate $130m for the NSW economy.

“On New Year’s Eve, the world looks at Sydney, every single year,” the Prime Minister said. “They look at our vibrancy, they look at our passion, they look at our success. They all think to themselves ‘what an amazing place’ and they are right. He ­acknowledged the anxiety around the issue but said in the midst of challenges faced by the country, “subject to the safety considerations, I can think of no better time to express to the world just how optimistic and positive we are”.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian shared Mr Morrison’s sentiment, saying the event should go ahead subject to safety approval from the Rural Fire Service.

The state’s RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said he was working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor weather conditions but described it as ­‘‘unlikely’’ that the event would be hampered by a total fire ban.

More than a quarter of a million people have signed an online petition seeking to scrap the fireworks and redirect the funding to NSW bushfire and drought relief.

Addressing those concerns, Sydney New Year’s Eve head of audience Tanya Goldberg said preparations for the event began 15 months ago, meaning the ­majority of the budget had already been spent. “Cancelling would have little practical benefit for devastated communities,” she said.

The council has donated $620,000 to support communities and wildlife affected by bushfires and drought. It will also promote the Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief fund during the live broadcasting of the event.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, Tony Bleasdale, urged councils ­around the country to cancel planned fireworks displays — including Australia Day — as a sign of respect to those affected by bushfires.

“We have a continuing catastrophe right across Australia. We need to show our respects to the firefighters and those who are seeking to bring things under control,” Mr Bleasdale said.

“We don’t do it by exploding fireworks.”

The City of Parramatta’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are expected to go ahead as planned. Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the council had applied for an exemption for its 9pm fireworks display if a total fire ban was ­declared. The council will collect donations for the NSW RFS on the night and has already pledged $10,000.

Around Sydney, councils are holding meetings to discuss how the celebrations may be affected by severe weather conditions. But many are planning to go ahead with the annual event.

Deputy mayor of Campbelltown City Council Darcy Lound said while it was not a simple choice, it was the ‘‘right balance for the community and a traditional part of out New Year’s Eve celebrations”.