NSW:Fireworks bash will be 'best' yet

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2010
NSW:Fireworks bash will be 'best' yet

By Tom Morgan and Margaret Scheikowski

SYDNEY, Dec 29 AAP - From Oprah's O to gasps of "Oh my"... Sydney's New Year fireworks
extravaganza are tipped to be the envy of the world.

More than $5 million has been lavished on what's being billed as the city's best party
since the 2000 Olympics.

A glittering red and white waterfall will cascade from the Harbour Bridge as a centrepiece
of celebrations across the city.

More than 1.5 million people are expected to flock to the foreshore with forecasters
delivering welcome news that 2011 should arrive under clear skies.

The bridge will also be adorned with a firework bow tie as more than 7,000 kilograms
of explosive devices are used in its "best celebration to date", organisers say.

The O in lights which welcomed TV chatshow queen Oprah Winfrey to Sydney will be on
show again but in a different guise, they added.

With fireworks technicians increasing their contract to $675,000, NSW Premier Kristina
Keneally said the cost was worthwhile as revellers would inject $150 million back into
the local economy.

Bumper crowds are also expected at nightspots in Darling Harbour, Manly and Bondi with
clubs and bars expecting to sell out.

More than 2600 police officers will be on patrol across the metropolitan area, with
most of them stationed at the harbour and beachside locations, and at public transport
hubs.

Festivities on the foreshore get underway from 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, with an acrobatic
aerial display before digital video projections on the North and South pylons get events
on the bridge underway.

As crowds continue to swell, the party continues with an indigenous smoking ceremony
before the eagerly awaited family fireworks begin at 8.40pm.

The Make Your Mark-themed firework display will follow at 9.08pm until midnight, while
a parade of more than 50 vessels make up the Harbour of Light Parade.

More than 10,000 pyrotechnic shells, 20,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual
pyrotechnic effects will be fired from the bridge throughout the evening.

Extra buses, taxis and trains are being put on to deal with the deluge of people amid
road closures across central areas.

Ms Keneally warned the public to plan ahead to avoid chaotic scenes as they try to
get home afterwards.

"I encourage everyone to plan ahead, take public transport, and buy a return ticket
to avoid the queues when heading home," she told reporters on Wednesday.

Sydney New Year's Eve Fireworks director Fortunato Foti said everyone will get a good
view wherever they stand.

"That's the great thing about these fireworks," he told reporters on the harbour on
Wednesday. "They are the envy of the world."

But organisers are staying tight-lipped on what's planned for the fireworks' crescendo
at midnight.

"You'll find out after midnight on New Year's Eve," creative director Rhoda Roberts said.

Celebrations in Sydney dwarf rival cities, with only 100,000 attending Paris fireworks,
while 700,000 revellers gather for festivities in London.

AAP tcm/tr/it

KEYWORD: EVE SYDNEY WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.