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Ticketed NYE viewing policy leads to massive afternoon queues in North Sydney harbour areas – North Sydney Sun

Ticketed NYE viewing policy leads to massive afternoon queues in North Sydney harbour areas

Thousands of spectators are already queuing at the entrances to ticketed vantage points for tonight’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in the North Sydney harbourside area.

North Sydney Sun has just observed a queue of about 2000 people snaking up Alfred St South and into Bradfield Park North. There is a strong police presence marshalling the spectators.

The queues are necessitated because the ticketed viewing areas including Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve are not open to entry until 5pm.

Traditionally crowds have arrived throughout the day and provided surrounding businesses with a strong trade while reducing queuing issues.

North Sydney Council is also not allowing pass outs which will further temper local trade. This was criticised by councillor Jilly Gibson who told the Sun this afternoon that the majority resolution of council to temper and control spectator attendance inside the park boundaries “was against the interests of our local businesses.”

The Council made around 28,000 free tickets to McMahons Point, Lavender Bay and Kirribilli vantage points available on 1 November. They were quickly snapped up with many local residents missing out and fostering an intriguing resale trade offering payment for tickets on local Facebook groups.

Residents have also been confused by a complex set of progressively timed road closures and even concerns that they would have to carry ID to walk their dogs. This has not been helped by clumsily drawn maps, one of which showed the entrance to Dind St and Glen St as closed from 3pm even though it appears to be open until 5pm. Around half of Milsons Points residents require road access through the Alfred St S entrance to Dind St to get to their residences.