Sydney still had fireworks on New Year's Eve despite ecological controversies.

Preparations for the New Year's Eve celebrations began 15 months ago, and a significant budget was allocated to ensuring the security and safety of the events. Sydney City Council is concerned that canceling the event would have a major impact on Sydney's service industry. Furthermore, it would affect hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in the city. Sydney City Council has pledged over US$600,000 to support areas affected by the bushfires.

Earlier, more than 250,000 people signed an online petition calling on the city of Sydney to redirect the $4.5 million budget allocated for New Year's Eve fireworks displays to bushfire and drought relief efforts, and to donate to firefighters, farmers, and animal shelters. They also expressed concerns that the fireworks would negatively impact residents because "there is already enough smoke in the air." All other areas in New South Wales also announced the cancellation of their New Year's Eve fireworks displays.

On the night of December 31st, temperatures are forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius.^oIn Sydney, the first family-friendly fireworks display will begin at 9 pm at Sydney Harbour Bridge, while the main fireworks display will take place at midnight at various locations on Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House area, and from barges in the harbor area. These are always considered the most beautiful and spectacular fireworks displays in New Year's celebrations worldwide. Therefore, the Sydney authorities stated that, while deeply sympathetic to the victims of the bushfires, they could not cancel the fireworks display on the night of December 31st in the city.

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, is one of the places suffering from severe bushfires, with hundreds of fires breaking out in the past few months. The disaster has claimed nine lives and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.

Huong Thao