Sydneysiders looking to ring in 2024 by watching the city’s iconic fireworks have been urged to leave their cars at home and catch public transport as a way to reduce incidents of drink-driving on one of the busiest nights of the year.
More than a million people are expected to flock to Sydney Harbour and its surrounding vantage points on December 31, with the City of Sydney gearing up to put on a show using more than 58,000 individual fireworks.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said more than 2000 extra police officers would be deployed across Sydney on the night.
“If you are driving, do not drink at all, we have seen far too many lives lost already during the year,” he said.
“Please act responsibly, be safe. It’s not just about you, it’s about other users.”
On Thursday, Transport for NSW co-ordinator general Howard Collins warned revellers to allow for extra travel time because of road closures.
In Sydney’s CBD, road closures will begin from 3am in Circular Quay and The Rocks by 2pm, with the rest of the city centre and Pyrmont off limits by road from 7pm.
While trains will be allowed to travel across the Harbour Bridge all night long, most ferry services will stop running after 5pm.
“We don’t want people using cars as the advice from the police would be we don’t want people drinking and driving,” he said.
“Use public transport but do stay safe (and) allow extra time when travelling because the city has road closures.”
Fares will be discounted at Sunday rates – capped at $8.90 for adults, $4.45 for youth and concession and $2.50 for gold senior and pensioners.
Vantage points across the city will revert to being free this year after the former state government implemented paid ticketing for public areas like Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay and The Domain.
More than 60,000 punters will be able to access the coveted viewing locations, with most operating on a first-come first-served basis. Other areas like the Bradleys Head, Strickland Estate, and the idyllic Clark Island, Me-Mel (Goat Island) and Shark Island have been managed through a free ticketing service to control crowds.
Mr Collins said security had also been improved at more than 32 railway sites after vandals allegedly broke into a railway signal box near Ashfield during the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals, causing delays of more than an hour. An estimated 100,000 people were also left stranded while waiting for trains.
“We’re working with the police to make sure we actually mark many of those locations and we have a lot of security and intelligence out there,” he said.