Thousands of people lined the Nelson Bay foreshore to watch the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks on Tuesday night, heralding in the start of a new year and a new decade.
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Families dominated the foreshore from d'Albora Marinas to Little Beach and across Apex Park to experience the annual New Year's Eve celebrations, which began earlier in the day with music and entertainment and culminated in the 9pm fireworks display.
While similar fireworks in other areas of Port Stephens were cancelled due to bushfire safety concerns, the popular Bay light show went ahead without incident and with the blessing of the Rural Fire Service, attracting visitors from the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Sydney.
It proved to be a magnificent fireworks display, set off from barges out on the water, which had the crowds of people in awe for more than 10 minutes.
However, not everyone agreed with the decision to push ahead with the fireworks and there was a lot of discussion in the streets and among revellers - locals and visitors - on the wider climate debate, the raging bushfires, the unprecedented drought conditions and the searing high temperatures.
"We are here but our minds are with the firefighters and all those people living in towns which are being impacted by the fires," said one Sydney visitor who preferred not to have his name published.
"And forecasts are for more hot, dry days ahead. We are only one month into our summer ... and reports are that rain is still couple of months away.
"I think we can all be thankful for our brave firefighters and let's hope the conditions ease enough to give them some reprieve."
While children and families featured prominently in and around the marina, large throngs of adult families, friends and and couples filled the cafes and restaurants along the town centre.
Due to fire safety concerns, Tilligerry RSL Sports Club postponed its New Year's Eve fireworks to Australia Day.
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EARLIER STORY: Fireworks show goes on in Nelson Bay but not Tanilba Bay
