Aussies are considering boycotting the iconic Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks after learning they’d be slugged $50 just to watch them from a public park.
The North Sydney Council voted on Monday night to charge viewers $50 each to watch the display from Blues Point Reserve.
The council believes it could make about $400,000 by selling off 8,000 New Year’s Eve tickets.
Facilitating crowds for the fireworks display costs the council an estimated $1million each year.
Local resident Mariet Wezeman has watched the fireworks from Blues Point Reserve each year since arriving in Sydney from the Netherlands in 2019.
‘It’s sad to hear there will be a $50 charge. It’s always been free, and I think it’s been a great attraction for everyone around to just come and watch the fireworks. It’s the perfect spot to watch,’ she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘There’s always a huge line into this place because everyone wants to come here. Now I have to think about it – and I think more people will have to think about it. The council should have thought about costs earlier.’
She is now considering finding another location to watch from, or may forego the event entirely.
Aussies will have to purchase a $50 ticket to see the NYE fireworks from Blues Point Reserve (pictured, Sydney fireworks 2020)
Locals have enjoyed views of the harbour from the public reserve (above) for free during fireworks displays in previous years
The cash-strapped council had been looking for ways to raise funds after ‘inheriting a precarious financial situation’.
It was left with a $60million hole in its finances after the cost to rebuild the North Sydney Olympic Pool blew out from $58million to more than $122million.
The council first proposed an 87 per cent rate rise earlier this year to address the budget, but the move was rejected by the pricing regulator.
The council then considered selling NYE tickets in May.
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker said the decision to charge $50 per ticket was not made lightly.
‘It is with an exceptionally heavy heart that I find myself supporting the motion for one year only. We have inherited a really precarious financial position that has not been relieved by our seeking a special rate variation,’ she said.
She advised those who could not afford a ticket to head to nearby Bradfield Park, Mary Booth Lookout, or Kurraba Point – all of which are free.
Mayor Baker also suggested revellers could head to Cremorne Point, Waverton, or Carradah Park to see the display.
Mayor Zoë Baker (pictured) said she made the decision to charge revellers with a ‘heavy heart’
More than 1.6 million people from Sydney and around the world crowd harbourside viewing points to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks each year (above, revellers at Sydney Harbour)
The mayor said the community will not be stopped from accessing those vantage points in a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia.
She said, however, the situation could change pending state government funding.
‘After our application for a rate rise was rejected, $12.5million in capital works was cut and Council committed to find $6million in savings and alternative revenue sources for the 2025–26 budget,’ she said.
A previous ticket trial in 2018 showed nearly half of all residents were opposed to the measure.
However, 42 per cent of respondents said they welcomed ticketing the event at the time.
Those supporting the move said it would make it safer and create better crowd control, while those against the idea argued the event shouldn’t come at the expense of taxpayers.
‘Yes (I would pay), if numbers are limited and there are toilet facilities. Otherwise my loungeroom works just fine,’ one wrote on social media.
‘So, for your own mistakes the general population has to pay for something that shouldn’t be charged for,’ said another.
‘I would rather watch it on the TV for free,’ one wrote.
‘No. Don’t even watch for free on tv. Huge waste of money. Would rather the council spend my rates money on improving infrastructure,’ one commented.
‘Calls for a boycott of the whole area and make sure they go broke before they make a cent,’ said one Sydneysider.
