Police are preparing for the possibility of seeing greater crowd numbers turning out to public New Year's Eve celebrations in Port Stephens on Tuesday due to the current bushfire danger.
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The widespread closures of camping grounds in national parks and the Worimi Conservation Lands, which are popular destinations during New Year's, and the possibility of a total fire ban being in place for the Hunter on Tuesday, shutting down the option of firing up barbecues, is expected to push more people to community events such as Nelson Bay's foreshore celebrations and to licensed bars and clubs right across the police district.
Port Stephens-Hunter police Inspector Tony Townsend said to ensure celebrations did not get out of hand on Tuesday additional resources had been called into the district in the form of operational support group officers from Sydney, liquor licencing officers and more Traffic and Highway Patrol cars.
"We want people to enjoy themselves on New Year's but what we don't want is for them to destroy it for others," Inspector Townsend said.
"We're expecting to see population and traffic increases in Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens for New Year's, which will be a major focus for police. Revellers can expect to see a greater police presence in these areas, as well as in Maitland, Raymond Terrace and Dungog."
Inspector Townsend said in addition to focusing on anti-social behaviour, alcohol-fuelled violence, enforcing alcohol-free zones, road and water safety and licensed establishments on New Year's Eve, police would also be keeping a strict eye on illegal fireworks and other activities that increased the bushfire danger risk.
"Police have been working with the Rural Fire Service in the Fire Control Centre to monitor the bushfire situation in our area," he said. "We've been very fortunate so far to largely avoid a bushfire, and we want to keep it that way.
"We are likely to have severe fire danger on Tuesday so we're encouraging everyone contemplating of setting off fireworks illegally to think very carefully about it. It is something to be really conscious of as it is likely to be warm and windy and it doesn't take much to start a bushfire."
Up to 10,000 people are expected to flock to the Bay's foreshore - from d'Albora Marina around to Little Beach - on Tuesday for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Nelson Bay's d'Albora Marina will kick off its New Year's Eve celebrations featuring live music by Emily Smith and Hayden Johns, children's activities, roving entertainment and a family friendly silent disco at 10.30am on December 31.
On Monday when the Examiner went to print, the marina's 9pm fireworks were still due to go ahead. The fireworks are set off from a barge located on the water, off the breakwall. The fireworks show will be dependant on the weather.
Parts of Government Road, Yacaaba Street, Shoal Bay Road, Magnus Sreet, Teramby Road and Victoria Parade will be closed on Tuesday evening due to the crowds anticipated to flock to the foreshore.
Police are reminding motorists planning to drink on Tuesday to have a plan b, and to think about their night before alcohol consumption when planning to drive on January 1.
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
