Melbourne is set for one of the biggest fireworks spectacular tonight. Worth about $2.8
million, 8.5 tonnes of fireworks will light up the sky at the stroke of midnight accompanied by a ten minute music track. The fireworks will be launched from more than 20 sites in and around Melbourne’s CBD.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle says organisers have moved the focus away from the CBD this year to encourage people to spread out across the city. Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says more than 420 general duty police officers will patrol Melbourne’s streets, backed by about 175 transit police, with Protective Services Officers (PSOs) manning the Flinders Street hub until 7:00 am (AEDT) on Tuesday.
“I implore people to conduct themselves appropriately, make the right choices and
don’t do stupid things on New Year’s Eve,” said Mr Ryan.
This New Year’s Eve police will be issuing on-the-spot fines for loutish behaviour, while Ambulance Victoria is putting on an extra 60 paramedics and bike units in the city. There will be three official live sites on the night featuring entertainment at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Docklands.
An early family-oriented fireworks display will kick off at 9:30 pm (AEDT) at Yarra Park, enabling families to enjoy the celebrations early and beat the midnight rush. Public transport will be free from 6:00 pm until the first normal services on New Year’s Day and will run through the night. City loop stations will be closed before midnight so all passengers must board at Flinders Street or Southern Cross stations.
Source: AAP