Heightened security leads to 38 arrests as Sydney NYE crowd numbers dip
Prime Minister Chris Minns said earlier this week that the police intend to train more officers in the use of long-armed weapons.
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Crowd numbers were predicted to be slightly lower than normal, but many viewpoints were still at capacity at noon Wednesday. Revelers around the port observed a minute’s silence in memory of the 15 people lost in the Bondi attack at 23:00 and participated in a lively demonstration by shining torches.
A menorah and the words “peace” and “unity” were projected onto the pylons of the Harbor Bridge, and after a minute’s silence, singer Matt Corby performed a cover of the song. Never Separate Us by INXS.
“It was very moving and I think it was very reassuring for us as a community,” Moore said. “It provided an opportunity to pause, reflect and seek hope for a safer, more peaceful 2026.”
Moore also thanked the more than 270 volunteers and 2,100 staff who worked on the celebrations. They included almost 100 City of Sydney staff and began the massive cleanup at 1am, with 40 trucks used to collect rubbish, while others returned home.
“There were a million people here, so there’s some bullshit, but I think people were pretty good-natured… there’s only good stories here,” he said.
Six aerial pyrotechnic platforms were deployed for the 9pm Calling Country and midnight fireworks displays, launching nine tonnes of fireworks from 16 locations.
Planning for next year’s exhibition is already underway, with the world-famous show taking 15 months to put on.
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