The State Government’s decision to charge patrons to view the fireworks from the newly established Barangaroo Reserve on New Year’s Eve has helped take the number of paid vantage points to an unprecedented number of 16 in 2015.
Fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year’s Eve. Photo: Cameron Spencer
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Barangaroo’s headland park. Photo: Anna Kucera
Barangaroo may have just been “returned to the people of NSW” after more than a century, but the headland park is now the latest addition to a growing number of public sites open only to those willing to pay for the privilege this New Year’s Eve.
Revellers desperate for the chance to ring in 2016 from the six-hectare headland park have resorted to online classified and auction sites in the hope of securing one of the 10,000 spots available. The rare few tickets on offer are listed on Gumtree for as much as three times the official asking price.
Barangaroo counts among 16 prime public sites along the harbour – up from 11 listed on the official website for Sydney’s celebrations four years ago – that will be accessible on December 31 only to those who have forked out for a place, fuelling concerns about the creeping commercialisation of some of Sydney’s prized open spaces.
The chance to enjoy the city’s world-renowned fireworks display from Goat Island, for example, costs $195 per person. Entry to Fort Denison, usually accessible for the cost of the $20 ferry ride, will be reserved for those willing to pay $1250 a head to enjoy French champagne, a five-course meal and live entertainment at a lavish New Year party.
A Barangaroo Delivery Authority spokeswoman defended the New Year’s entry charge of $29.50 each adult, or $79 for a family, at the precinct’s headland park, which opened to the public only in August.
“We structured pricing to offer an affordable opportunity to as many people as possible while offsetting some of the costs involved,” the spokeswoman said.
The event’s costs included “providing extra security; proper RSA controls; extra toilet facilities; crowd barriers for safety; plus overnight cleaning so the park can be reopened to normal operation at 6am on New Year’s Day”, she said.
However, Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, used a press conference this month about the City of Sydney’s world-renowned fireworks display to criticise the decision to charge for access.
“I don’t think the Barangaroo Delivery Authority should be seeking to make money out of providing access for people to see the fantastic bridge display from that point,” Cr Moore said.
Cr Moore also wrote to Premier Mike Baird earlier this month, pointing out “the City does not charge for access to vantage points and we encourage other authorities to allow free access as well”.
“The NSW Government could charge a nominal fee to cover the cost of issuing a ticket, but making a commercial return is inappropriate,” the letter said.
Prime positions at National Parks and Wildlife sites on Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, were free five years ago. Access to the popular Mast Precinct and Amphitheatre now cost $45 and $75 for adults respectively.
The Royal Botanic Gardens will close from 3pm on New Year’s Eve to protect the globally valuable scientific plant collection contained within the garden, a spokesman said.
It will reopen at four paid vantage points, fees for which range from $395 (including food and drink) a gold-coin donation for access to Mrs Macquaries Point.
The spokesman said the money raised from events at the oldest scientific institution in Australia would be pumped back into the gardens as it prepares to enter its 200th year.
“Funds raised through revenue generated in the Botanic Gardens are invested back into the operations of the three gardens which largely comprise of science, horticulture, education and public amenity,” the spokesman said.
Commercial ventures at the gardens have been heavily criticised by Opposition Leader Luke Foley, who told Fairfax Media earlier this year Barangaroo was being set up in the same manner.
“It’s already happening at the Botanic Gardens where there are events all the time – for those who can afford to pay top dollar,” Mr Foley said.
Closest free locations
Dawes Point Park, The Rocks = 367m
Bradfield Park, Milsons Point = 413m
Mary Booth Reserve, Kirribilli = 474m
Campbells Cove, Hickson Road = 529m
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point = 675m
Paid locations
Hickson Road, Millers Point
Cost: $29.50 per adult; $79 per family
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.02km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Bradleys Head: Athol Lawn precinct
Athol Lawn, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Cost: $30 per person; $70 per family
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 3.18km
BYO alcohol: No (no sales at site)
Gates open: 5.30pm
Bradleys Head: The Mast precinct
Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Cost: $45 per adult; $100 per family (includes live music)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 3.26km
BYO alcohol: No (no sales at site)
Gates open: 1pm
Steele Point Road, Nielsen Park, Vaucluse
Cost: Up to $30 per person
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 5.03km
BYO alcohol: Yes (no sales at site)
Gates open: 5.30pm
Tarpeian Way, Sydney 2000
Cost: $295 (includes picnic hamper)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 766m
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 7pm
Military Road, Dover Heights
Cost: $35-$40 per adult (includes live music + entertainment)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 6.74km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Bradleys Head: The Amphitheatre
Bradleys Head Road, Sydney Harbour National Park, Mosman
Cost: $75 per adult; $180 per family (live music, access to the Mast precinct)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 3.22km
BYO alcohol: No (no sales at site)
Gates open: 3pm
Goat Island, Sydney Harbour
Cost: $195 per adult (includes ferry)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.30km
BYO alcohol: Yes (no sales at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Tarpeian Way, Royal Botanic Gardens (Entrance via Macquarie Street)
Cost: From $395 per person (unlimited Food + Drink, live DJs)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 767m
BYO alcohol: No (unlimited in ticket price)
Gates open: 7pm
Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Cost: $160 per person (includes tasting menu + 1 free drink)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.91km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 5pm
Fleet Steps North, Mrs Macquaries Road, Royal Botanic Gardens
Cost: $375 per person (includes entree/snack box, live DJ)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.39km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Fleet Steps South, Mrs Macquaries Road, Royal Botanic Garden
Cost: $395 per person (includes three-course meal + live DJ)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.39km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 7pm
Shark Island, Sydney Harbour
Cost: $227.50 per adult (includes ferry, live DJs)
Tickets: Available
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 4.37km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Cost: From $170 per adult (includes zoo access and entertainment)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 3.06km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Clark Island, Sydney Harbour
Cost: $375 per person (includes ferry, three-course meal, cocktail, live music)
Tickets: Available for 6.40pm ferry
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 3.01km
BYO alcohol: No (can be bought at site)
Gates open: 6pm
Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour
Cost: $1250 (includes ferry, five-course meal, alcohol, live entertainment)
Tickets: Sold out
Distance from Harbour Bridge: 1.39km
BYO alcohol: No (included in ticket price)
Gates open: 6.45pm
The story The public views that carry a private expense this New Year’s Eve first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.