Sydney’s world-famous fireworks will continue to thrive even in fire-hazardous conditions, the Sydney City Council confirmed at a news conference this morning.
It is a move that Prime Minister Scott Morrison supports, despite the uncertainty of the rural fire service about the wisdom of this move.
“We cannot cancel,” the city of Sydney said in a statement.
A serious fire hazard is expected on New Year’s Eve, with temperatures forecast to rise to 35 ºC in the city and 45 ºC in the western suburbs. Strong northerly winds are expected to change to the south at the end of the day.
Despite a total fire ban, Sydney’s skyline will continue to light up thanks to an exemption made by the rural fire service and NSW Fire and Rescue.
“At this point, the fireworks continue as planned,” Tanya Goldberg, head of audience for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve audience, told reporters today.
For the iconic end-of-year fireworks, a “total fire ban exemption,” Goldberg said, would be allowed.
But rural fire service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons does not share the certainty of the city of Sydney.
“If I think it’s too risky … (then) when necessary, we won’t allow them to move on,” he said.
“We are waiting for the southbound shift to move across the coast and impact the Sydney Basin around 7pm. We have the volatility of the south in mind,” Fitzsimmons told reporters today.
“We need to give due consideration to the variety of other festivals that take place in the wider geographical areas of New South Wales.
“What we don’t want to give exemptions are the backyard permits, where there are fireworks in people’s houses or in the local park.”
SCOMO LEAVES FIREWORKS IN THE MIDDLE OF CONCERNS
Despite fears of bushfires, Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to see fireworks head to Sydney Harbor.
“On New Year’s Eve, the world looks at Sydney. Every year, “he told reporters today.” And they look at our vitality, they look at our passion, they look at our success.
“And therefore, in the midst of the challenges we face, subject to security considerations, I cannot think of a better time to express to the world how optimistic and positive we are as a country.”
NSW Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian echoed Morrison’s thoughts.
“It would support efforts to keep the fireworks going,” he said.
“I appreciate that there is a lot of anxiety in the community, there is a lot of fear, depending on where you live from what is happening in the community right now.
“But the best thing we can do is stay strong and resilient … We will go through these moments, no matter how difficult they are.
“I think it’s important to send a message to the world, as long as it’s safe … we’ll continue to do what we normally do.”
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FIREWORKS MADE THIS YEAR
Fortunato Foti, who has led Sydney’s New Year’s fireworks for more than 20 years, plans to “mark” the celebrations if weather conditions seem too severe.
“The wind has an integral part in what we do and don’t do,” he said.
“We are able to reduce different types of fireworks. So we can mark it this way (if necessary). “
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
The city of Sydney has maintained that fireworks will continue, regardless of conditions.
“We appreciate the concerns people have about celebrating Sydney’s New Year’s fireworks, while large parts of Australia are facing bushfires and drought,” the council said in a statement.
“But we can’t cancel the New Year’s celebrations.
“It would have little practical advantage for the affected communities.”
The council’s statement follows a report published in The Sunday Telegraph this morning, it was said yesterday that crisis talks were held between the Department of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the council, the Rural Fire Service and NSW police to analyze how the extreme fire danger on Tuesday it would affect fireworks.
The report said the event could be canceled at the last minute if fire conditions were deemed “catastrophic” on New Year’s Eve.
However, the council has stressed this morning that it will “continue to contact” the NSW government and the RFS “to determine the safest way to proceed with the event” if a total fire ban is declared.
Goldberg said he “spoke daily” to fire departments.
“In case of strong wind, the city of Sydney will assess the conditions with fireworks director Fortunato Foti,” the council said.
The council said there had been too much planning for the fireworks to be called off at 11am.
“We started preparations and planning for the New York celebrations 15 months ago,” the statement said.
“This means that most of the budget has already been spent, which is largely used for security and cleaning measures.
“The cancellation of the event would seriously harm companies in Sydney. It would also ruin the plans of tens of thousands of people across the country and abroad who would have booked flights, hotels and restaurants for New Year’s Eve.
The council said it had listened to the concerns of those concerned about the fires and announced it had donated $ 620.00 to “support communities and wildlife affected by bushfires and drought, and offered to our trucks and staff to help the emergency services with the cleaning and recovery efforts ”.
The council will also promote the Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Rescue Fund during the ABC broadcast of the fireworks and links to online fundraising will be displayed on the pylons of Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Mr Clover Moore said all of Sydney had been “deeply saddened” by the impact of the wildfires.
“Sydney’s New Year’s Eve brings together people from all over the world with a message of hope for next year,” he said.
“We are committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought and fire-affected communities, with money earmarked for the Australian Red Cross.”