Brisbane revellers brave the rain amid boosted police presence for NYE
A smattering of rain dusted crowds securing their prime viewing spot ahead of Brisbane’s drone and fireworks shows.
Police plan to ramp up their presence for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brisbane, with the fatal Bondi Beach shooting still fresh in the minds of the community and authorities alike.
Hours before thousands of people were expected to crowd along the Brisbane River for the annual fireworks displays, the Queensland Police Service said there was no known direct threat to the city’s revellers.
Police said the terror attack in Sydney continued to have a “flow-on effect into every community’s feeling of safety and wanting to be out and celebrate”.Credit: Glenn Hunt
“We recognise that the devastating, distressing events that occurred in Bondi recently have resonated through our communities, and feelings of safety amongst our communities,” Acting Chief Superintendent Heath McQueen said.
He would not confirm whether Queensland police would be armed with long-arm weapons, following reports NSW police would carry large, long-arm weapons for the first time at New Year’s Eve celebrations in that state.
“We are expecting big numbers, but we have a major and events planning unit. This is what they do regularly, this is not their first event.
“On the back of [the Bondi shooting], we’ve also obviously had a good look at our planning.
“Even though we do it well, we can always make sure that we’re on top of things.”
The firework display getting set up in Brisbane.Credit: Julius Dennis
People began filing into South Bank about 9am on Wednesday to get the best spots for the fireworks and drone display.
Christo Jonck and his family were in the city from Chinchilla for the show and secured their spot early for the second year in a row.
“We emigrated two years back from South Africa — this is kind of a big thing for the year that we always come and see,” he said.
