Victorians are bidding farewell to 2021 in severe heatwave conditions, with authorities issuing warnings about celebrating safely this New Year’s Eve.
New Year revellers have been cleared to let their hair down for a well earned end-of-year celebration – but should “avoid the mosh pit”.
With tens of thousands of people expected to head into the city, authorities declared Melbourne “safe” but urged Victorians to celebrate sensibly as Covid concerns linger.
Police and ambulance chiefs also issued a sober warning to partygoers on the dangers of drinking excessive alcohol during Friday’s sweltering heat.
It’s expected to top 38C in Melbourne on Friday.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt urged people to celebrate with common sense because of the Omicron threat.
“Avoid the mosh pit. Don’t pack in large, close numbers. That’s common sense,” he said.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said, thanks to high vaccination rates, it was OK for Victorians to celebrate despite rising Covid case numbers.
But she said anyone without a booking for a restaurant or one of the city’s celebration zones should not come into the city centre.
“Be assured here in the City of Melbourne, it is safe,” she said. “We can (celebrate) if we are safe about it, sensible about it and come out and care for each other.”
Melbourne is bracing for two days of blistering heat – 38C for New Year’s Eve and 37C for January 1.
The temperature is expected to still be as high as 28C when the countdown to midnight begins to welcome 2022.
Residents in the northwest of the state are expected to swelter in 40C-plus conditions on New Year’s Day.
The resurgent pandemic means that Melbourne CBD’s festivities will again be more muted for the second year.
Even so, restaurants have reported strong bookings, while the city’s hotels are at near capacity as family and friends seek to come together in a private, Covid-safe fashion.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Covid had thrown “another curve ball” in this year’s preparations.
Tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands, would be in the city, she said.
“There will be music and laughter, what’s not to love?’’ Cr Capp said.
A total of 42,500 people will enjoy the four sold-out celebration zones, while a handful of tickets were still available late on Thursday for the Street Feasts program running at seven dining precincts across the CBD.
No fireworks will operate from city rooftops this year, just localised displays at the celebration zones at 9.30pm and midnight.
Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics’ Rusty Johnson said it was “a very different year”.
“It’s not as big as in the past but we are so happy to be back to bring fireworks to the people of Melbourne,” he said.
The drone swarm display planned for Docklands has had to be cancelled because of Covid-related issues in the operator’s preparation, but Cr Capp hopes it will be up and running early in the new year.
Ms Neville said “a substantial number” of police and PSOs would be out with a focus on safety.
“We know it’s going to be hot weather and there will be a lot of people out and about and Victoria Police will have a really strong focus on anti-social behaviour (and) violence,’’ Ms Neville said.
Mr Nugent said thousands of extra officers would be out in force to ensure a safe New Year’s Eve, with a focus on coastal areas such as the Surf Coast, Phillip Island and Lakes Entrance, as well as the Melbourne bayside areas.
Ambulance Victoria Deputy Commander Matt McCrohan said people should stay hydrated during the heat and keep an eye out for the vulnerable in the community.
He also reiterated the high risks, especially for children, in locked cars on hot days.
“Cars can heat up very quickly and can kill young children,’’ he said.
“And heat kills more people than any natural disaster.’’
Pet owners were urged to secure their properties to stop their fur babies escaping during the festivities.
Lost Dogs Home spokeswoman Suzana Talevski said an increasing number of pets spooked by fireworks turned up at the organisation’s North Melbourne and Cranbourne shelters every New Year’s Day.
‘’The numbers are quite clear, and they are quite staggering – 62 pets arrived on our doorsteps, confused, scared and in severe need of TLC on January 1 this year,’’ she said.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WEATHER
Melbourne: Today: 38C Sunny (28C at midnight)
Tomorrow: 37C Mostly sunny
Sunday: 27C Partly cloudy
Monday: 21C Partly cloudy
CELEBRATION ZONES (Sold out): Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Treasury Gardens. From 6pm to 1am, featuring entertainment and localised fireworks at 9.30pm and midnight.
STREET FEASTS Docklands (New Quay), Fed Square, Flinders Lane East, Flinders Lane West, Lt Bourke St, Lt Collins St, Russell Place.
TRANSPORT
Metro and regional trains, trams and buses free from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 6am on New Year’s Day.
Metro trains and trams (except routes 78 and 82) will run all night.
SHOPPING
Most centres open 10am New Year’s Day
REGIONAL FIREWORKS
Bendigo: 9.15pm and midnight
Geelong: 9.30pm and midnight
Lakes Entrance: 9.30pm and midnight
Mildura: 9.30pm and midnight
Phillip Island: 9.30pm and midnight
Shepparton: 10.25pm and midnight
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