Warning over costly New Year’s Eve mistake ahead of Sydney fireworks
People planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sydney have been urged to avoid making a costly mistake.
Residents and tourists have been warned to move their cars out of clearways ahead of Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations or face a $243 towing charge.
More than a million people are expected to flock to the city to watch the iconic fireworks show on Tuesday evening.
However, Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins cautioned drivers to be mindful of where they park their vehicles.
“If you park on the clearway, you’ll be towed away,” he said.
“They’re important for all the emergency services to keep those areas clear.”
Last year, 220 vehicles were towed out of clearways for the New Year’s Eve festivities.
The cost of towing away a vehicle NSW is $243 but drivers may also receive a parking fine from the local council or police.
Major roads will begin to close in Sydney at 6am on New Year’s Eve, including the Cahill Expressway and roads in The Rocks and CBD North.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm until 1.30am, along with all major roads in the city.
Organisers are urging revellers to use public transport to attend the celebrations, which will include 3600 additional trains as well as bolstered bus and ferry services.
Mr Collins said Sydney’s transport network will run continuously for 48 hours amid its biggest operation of the year.
“The extra services will spring into action from early afternoon on New Year’s Eve, and with widespread road closures and parking restrictions in place from early in the day, public transport will absolutely be the key to a stress-free celebration,” he said.
“But it’s essential to plan ahead, work out your options and be aware that the city is different on New Year’s Eve, with very large crowds, road closures and entry cut-off times at some vantage points to watch the fireworks.”
The extra transport offerings come after fears New Year’s Eve events would be unable to continue due to industrial action by the rail unions.
Operation New Year’s Eve 2024 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said there would be 2500 emergency services officers deployed across Sydney on New Year’s Eve.
As well as monitoring rail networks across the state, there will be members of traffic and fire patrol, public order and riot squad, and police air support monitoring the celebrations.
“We want people to have a good time, to drink responsibly, know their limits and use public transport to avoid driving,” Assistant Commissioner McKenna said.
“New Year’s Eve is Sydney’s premier public event and as always we are expecting high numbers of spectators to come to the city to view the fireworks.”
There will also be additional NSW Ambulance paramedics along the foreshore and on Sydney Harbour itself.
NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Brent Armitage said New Year’s Eve was the busiest night of the year for paramedics.
“NSW ambulance will take close to 4000 triple zero calls on New Year’s Eve,” he said.
“In the hours just before and just after midnight, NSW Ambulance will take a call for help every 10 seconds.”
Assistant Commissioner Armitage urged revellers to look out for each other and ensure they are well hydrated in the heat.
Many of the best vantage points around the Harbour to watch the fireworks will not be ticketed this year, so spectators are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they get a seat.
Originally published as Warning over costly New Year’s Eve mistake ahead of Sydney fireworks
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