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New Year's Eve Media Launch

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Good morning to you all. I’d like firstly to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of this land.

Welcome to the launch of 2009 Sydney New Year’s Eve, the second by our Creative Director Rhoda Roberts.

Sydney New Year’s Eve is the single most important event in promoting our City to the world. It draws larger crowds than New Year celebrations in Paris, London, Berlin or New York, and is extensively broadcast around the world.

Like the City’s other cultural and community events, it plays an important role in establishing Sydney’s identity and uniting friends, families and strangers around our stunning harbour.

We now know the extent of the ecomomic benefit of New Years Celebrations.
Last year, Events NSW did extensive surveys which found that – conservatively – it is worth a staggering $156 million to the economy.

At the same time, it remains a genuine community event, full of Sydney spirit and good humour. This year, we’ll see another 9pm family fireworks show, a Harbour of Light parade with 55 decorated boats, the magical midnight fireworks and the most complicated Bridge effect we’ve ever attempted, featuring three different designs.

There are 40 prime spectator viewing spots around the harbour which are free to all.

The City has worked with our surrounding councils to identify these and include information about access and restrictions for most parks around the harbour. To help people plan their night, we’ve included all this detail in our online Sydney New Year’s Eve Vantage Point map.

GREEN
We also want this to be our most sustainable Sydney New Year’s Eve ever and I’m pleased to announce our Charity Partner this year is the Australian Conservation Foundation which has been a leading environmental advocate for over 40 years.

ACF will be asking us all to turn over a new green leaf in 2010 by making a simple lifestyle change to reduce our environmental impact.

The City of Sydney is also doing its bit. Not only is the City the first carbon-neutral council in Australia, but we’ll also be purchasing carbon credits to ensure Sydney New Year’s Eve is carbon neutral, working with the carbon neutral Foti fireworks and ensuring the event is matched by 100 per cent accredited GreenPower.

TRAVEL
For those heading to the harbour, we want to remind them the best way of getting there is public transport, and we’re also asking them to help us limit waste and recycle, bin their cigarette butts and turn over a new green leaf with ACF.

AT HOME
Those staying at home, can enjoy the television broadcast on the Nine Network, or tune into our official radio partner, 2DayFM.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our media partners and sponsors who make this event possible:

2DayFM

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald

Nine Network

Roads and Traffic authority

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

NSW Maritime

Sydney Opera House Trust

Bytecraft Entertainment

DonateLife

Galliano

Phillip Shaw Wines

Coca-Cola Amatil and

Carlton & United Breweries

And now I’m pleased to introduce our Sydney New Year’s Eve Creative Director, Rhoda Roberts, to tell you about her stunning proposal.

Thank you.