UPDATE: Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations kicked off under the tightest security measures in the city’s history, resulting in 38 arrests as more than 1 million revellers gathered along the iconic foreshore. As the clock struck midnight, the city paid tribute to the 15 lives lost in the tragic Bondi attack just two weeks earlier, drawing global attention.
The evening, which saw a slight dip in crowd numbers compared to previous years, was marked by a heavy police presence. Officers were deployed throughout the city, with many carrying long-arm weapons. Despite the rigorous security, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore reported that the measures did not detract from the festivities. “It wasn’t very visible to me. I think the whole thing was managed really, really well,” she stated.
Among the 38 arrests made overnight, at least nine occurred in the CBD, with charges including assaults against police and affray. In a concerning incident in Dover Heights, police received reports of a man brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. However, officers later discovered a 19-year-old with a shisha pipe resembling a gun; he was charged and granted bail, set to appear in court on January 30.
The night also saw a troubling use of illegal fireworks. An incident in Guildford resulted in minor injuries to a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl, highlighting the challenges police faced amid the celebrations.
As the festivities unfolded, crowds participated in a poignant minute of silence at 11 PM, shining torches in remembrance of the victims. A menorah and the messages of “peace” and “unity” were projected onto the Harbour Bridge pylons, followed by a moving performance from singer Matt Corby, who covered INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart.” Moore remarked, “It was very moving, and I think very reassuring for us as a community. It provided an opportunity to pause and reflect.”
The night featured an impressive display of 9 tonnes of fireworks launched from 16 locations, with aerial pyrotechnic platforms showcasing the 9 PM and midnight displays. Planning for next year’s display is already underway, as the world-famous show takes an extensive 15 months to orchestrate.
As the celebrations concluded, over 270 volunteers and 2,100 staff began the cleanup, with City of Sydney workers starting at 1 AM to tackle the aftermath of the revelry. Moore noted, “There was a million people here so there’s some rubbish, but I think people were pretty well behaved … there’s only good stories here.”
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to assess security measures and prepare for future events in the wake of this year’s unprecedented celebrations.
