Daily London
People slept overnight to secure their spot for the grand spectacle, while others began trickling in from dawn, with about 2000 already in place by 6am.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has urged people this week to “thumb their noses” at terrorists, and join the city’s biggest party of the year.
About 1.1 million people are expected to gather at the harbour, while 2000 officers will be on patrol in the city centre, including officers armed with longarms – an unaccustomed sight for most Australians, but one intended to provide a sense of safety.
Minns today said a change in tactics would see heavily-armed police among the crowds, but said people should not take that as a sign that an active operation was underway.
“They’ll be operational and highly visible,” Minns said.
“It means that they’re there in preparation for any eventuality.”
There will also be 1000 extra public transport services put on, running constantly over the coming 46 hours, Transport Minister John Graham said.
Major surges are expected after the 9pm fireworks and the midnight fireworks, with people urged to – if they can – walk further up George Street to Martin Place or Town Hall to have an easier time getting on transport.
The Barangaroo metro station will also be open later.
While the premier has called for people to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the community as normal, the event will inevitably be marked by the December 14 terror attack on a Chanukah celebration, in which 15 people were killed.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will display the image of a dove and calls for peace and unity, while a menorah will shine at 11pm.
This will signal a moment of silence, during which people are encouraged to shine their phone torchlights in a moment of solidarity and respect for the Jewish community.
