By ANNA USHER

Watching New Year’s Eve fireworks will no longer be a free event under a Council plan to introduce paid ticketing on a patch of public land.

North Sydney Council is set to vote on a new cost recovery model for the LGA’s 2025/26 celebrations, with a proposal to implement paid, ticketed NYE access to Blues Point.

At its meeting next Monday, the Council will weigh three potential management scenarios for December 31, which could see the reserve capped at 8,000 patrons, each charged $50.

The remaining major vantage points – Bradfield Park and Lavender Bay – would continue to operate as free, managed sites.

Under the preferred model, the Council is expected to generate an estimated $400,000 in gross revenue. After outlaying $95,000 in associated costs, they say there will be a net contribution of $305,000.

Council’s total operating budget for New Year’s Eve currently stands at $1.086 million.

The agenda report makes it clear that a $50 Blues Point ticket will not include food, beverage or entertainment options, noting the fee is designed to secure access to a high-demand viewing location for the fireworks.

The three options under consideration are:

• Option 1 – Ticketing All Sites for Full Cost Recovery: Requires approximately 27,000 tickets at a cost of around $48 to cover NYE expenses fully.
• Option 2 – Ticket Blues Point Only (Recommended): Partial cost recovery through 8,000 paid tickets at Blues Point, while keeping the other sites free, netting around $400,000.
• Option 3 – Maintain Current Free Model: All sites remain free and are managed with security and crowd control. The council bears the full cost.

While Council supports Option 2, it acknowledges several risks that may impact the event, including increased crowds at free sites on the lower north shore.

“Low-service vantage points such as Cremorne Point might experience a higher influx of visitors, which may mean that there is a requirement for more security, first aid, and infrastructure to make safe,” the report states.

“Also, residents directly adjacent to these areas may well be highly impacted. While this is a risk, crowds along Sydney’s foreshore on NYE are traditionally very large, with all possible vantage points typically at capacity.”

Community consultation and a detailed communications strategy would follow any endorsement, Council said.

Read the full report, HERE.