Sydney’s harbourside bans gathering for New Year’s Eve fireworks

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Authorities have decided to ban people from gathering in Sydney’s downtown harbourside to watch the celebrated New Year’s Eve fireworks due to COVID-19 risk. Councils in Sydney will also fence off or close down several key vantage points in order to stop any congregation on December 31.

Around 1 million people usually gather on Sydney’s harbour foreshore to see the annual fireworks that centre on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. A Vaucluse park which boasts unrivalled views of the Harbour Bridge has been already been fenced off. The Waverley Council also moved to ensure gatherings at Dudley Page Reserve is restricted by building a temporary fence around the area.

An electronic sign has also been place at Dudley Page alerting the public the park will be closed from 3PM until 1AM on Thursday. All the picnic huts at Bronte Beach have also been roped off. North Sydney Council also confirmed that Bradfield Park, Blues Point Reserve, Mary Booth Reserve, Quibaree Park, Kurraba Reserve and Cremorne Reserve would all be closed as their harbourside locations were within the state government’s Green Zone.

Other vantage points inside the Green Zone that are closed include Sydney Opera House, Cahill Expressway, Campbell’s Cove and Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Temporary fencing has also been established around the Sydney Harbour foreshore at the Opera House. Initially the government had plans to give access to approximately 5000 healthcare workers to the foreshore to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic. However, the plan had to cancel due to the high amount of risk involved.

New South Wales State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in her statement that people who live in the city centre can invite up to 10 guests to their homes to celebrate but the guests will have to apply for permits to enter the area. Later restrictions in greater Sydney were brought down to a maximum of five people indoor and outdoor gathering limits were reduced from 50 to 30.

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos added that the Dudley Page’s fencing was to prevent a repetition of the huge party at Bronte Beach on Christmas Day. She mentioned that every possible precaution are being undertaken to keep the community safe and people are constantly being asked to stay at home. It was also stated that several other parks continue to remain open as authorities do not have enough resources to fence off everything and people are being urged to practise social distancing if they plan to visit.

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