Heavily armed police at NYE a result of Bondi ‘regret’: Moore

Sydney’s lord mayor says the heavy police presence for the city’s New Year’s celebration stems from a feeling of regret that the community was underprotected at the Bondi massacre, and the state government was “making up for it now” as a way to make revellers feel safe.

Clover Moore said in her 21 years of attending Sydney’s internationally celebrated event she’s always felt safe, as this year attendees are warned to expect to see heavily armed police officers patrolling crowded areas.

“I think there was great regret that they weren’t better prepared for Bondi and I think they’re making up for it now,” Moore said.

“This is the government and police’s way of saying you’re going to be safe coming into the city.”

Police will not reveal the exact number of officers who will be carrying long-arm guns on New Year’s Eve, but Premier Chris Minns said the public should be aware if they see a heavily armed officer in the city, it does not mean there is an active threat.

“It means they’re there in preparation for any eventuality,” he said.

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane wrote to Minns to ask him to push the prime minister to call a federal royal commission into the Bondi massacre. The demands for a Commonwealth royal commission, including from victims’ families, and Anthony Albanese’s insistence on holding a smaller inquiry has been a source of political tension since the attacks.

While he had no negative words for Sloane, Minns said he would not be drawn into commentary on the actions of his federal counterpart.

“They’ve made their decision, I’ve made our decision – we’re going ahead with the royal commission in NSW,” he said.

About 3000 police officers will be deployed around Sydney, including support from police vessels in Sydney Harbour and Pol Air from the sky.

By 1pm Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and some Royal Botanic Garden lawns had already reached capacity. Fireworks will be launched from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, six buildings in the CBD and along barges stretching for seven kilometres across the harbour.

The sombre cloud cast over the city by the events of the last few weeks could not dampen the excitement of thousands queuing to secure their viewing spots for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks on Wednesday. The queue of people stretched over more than a kilometre through The Domain in Sydney on Wednesday morning.

Groups of friends huddled in the line together could be seen sleeping, playing card games, listening to music, reading, sketching, and eating to pass the time.

Many had built makeshift sleeping areas to rest in during the long wait, using camping chairs, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, and even tarps.

The first camper in the queue, 24-year-old Soren Chen, arrived on Tuesday morning at 10am and camped overnight to secure a spot. Chen is from Taiwan and is visiting Sydney for the first time.

“They’re the most famous and best fireworks in the world,” Chen said. “We have never seen it before, only on television.”

After the gates had finally opened, and as people ran towards Mrs Macquaries Point to secure their spots, a young woman could be heard yelling to her friends, “I have never seen the Sydney Opera House before!”

Monica Diaz, a 27-year-old Spanish traveller, arrived in the queue at 3am on Wednesday morning. She could not contain her excitement when she first saw the view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, jumping up and down and screaming, “Oh my god, I am here!”

After the 9pm family fireworks, at 11pm, one minute of silence will be held marked with the sound of three bells at the beginning and end. A menorah will be projected on the bridge pylons, along with a dove and the words “unity” and “peace”.

“Given that we’re still reeling from the recent tragic events at Bondi, New Year’s Eve provides an opportunity to gather as a community, to pause and reflect and to look with hope to a safer and more peaceful 2026,” Moore said.

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