Latest news with #ticketedaccess
ABC News
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
BTN Newsbreak 29/07/2025
SYDNEY FIREWORKS First up, to one of Australia's most beloved events - the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks - that might not be so beloved anymore after a decision made by the North Sydney Council last night. Watching the New Year's fireworks in Sydney just got a little harder because last night, North Sydney Council councillors voted to make firework fans fork out $50 for entry into one of the night's most popular viewing spots: Blues Point. The council says that's because they're a bit strapped for cash and they're keen to use the estimated $400,000 they'll get from ticket sales to offset the cost of managing all those people! Entry fees to the display aren't anything new. Last year, nine of the 50 major vantage points had ticketed access. But the public area of Blues Point has always been free. The North Sydney Mayor says the change is a reluctant one and is stressing that currently it's only in effect for just this year. And the council has suggested other spots to camp out that are still free. WEBJET FINED Travel agency Webjet has been hit with a 9 million dollar fine! The company admitted that it failed to include compulsory fees in some of its advertised airfare costs, and provided misleading booking confirmations after it was taken to court by Australia's consumer watchdog. The ACCC began investigating the travel agency after a customer complained about an airfare which had been advertised as being 'from $18', but ended up costing triple that amount after a bunch of compulsory fees were added. CHESS KID Now it's time to meet 11-year-old Reyaansh. He's a rising Aussie chess star, who has big plans to make history as the country's youngest Grandmaster. ERNEST HEMINGWAY LOOKALIKES First up, to a room full of guys with white hair and thick white beards in the US. This is the annual Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest! And if you're not sure who that is, he's a famous author from the 20th century. This year, 131 contestants battled it out for the top spot. But in the end, it was Florida man Tim who took home the trophy, and had the honour of wearing this sweater. MOUNTAIN BIKING RECORD Now to Wales in the UK where 18-year-old Asa Vermette has made history as the youngest ever Hardline champion. He managed to complete the course in an impressive 2 minutes and 24 seconds, breaking the previous record by about 1.6 seconds. DOG SURFING And finally to surfing dogs in the UK who two world records have been smashed for the number of dogs taking part in the 50-metre paddleboard race, and the most dogs on this giant paddleboard.
The Australian
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Australian
$50 ticket plan revealed for Sydney Harbour's NYE fireworks hotspot
Revellers taking in Sydney's legendary New Year's Eve fireworks will soon have to shell out $50 to access a prime viewing spot in a major shake-up to how tourists and locals experience the beloved event. North Sydney councillors on Monday night decided to implement 'ticketed access' to Blues Point, a popular vantage point that fronts Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. It was a decision that councillors say was made 'with a heavy heart', Mayor Zoe Baker said, citing already high New Year's Eve expenditure and a poor budget position as decisive factors in the decision. 'I share your principle on this and have and every year that I've been on this council, I've always voted to keep public open space free and access free,' Ms Baker told the council meeting. 'But unfortunately, we as a council and a governing body have inherited a really precarious financial position that has not been relieved … And so it is with an exceptionally heavy heart that I find myself supporting the motion for one year only.' 'Councillors every year that I've been on the council (17), have written to state governments of varying political persuasions to the same response, which is no. 'I'm hopeful that this Labor state government, who are committed to public access to the foreshore for the fireworks, may be persuaded to provide us, even if it were with the amount that we're seeking to recover, so that we don't have to proceed with the closing of Blue's Point Reserve.' Ms Baker pointed out the ticketed area was one location in a local government area 'blessed with foreshore access and vantage points'. 'So if you cannot afford a ticket for Blues Point, then I'd urge you to go to Bradfield Park to Mary Booth Lookout to Kurraba Point, to Crem Point, to Waverton, to Carradeh Park, and every other vantage point … to see the fireworks on public land for free.' The council area boasts three renowned vantage points for the show, namely Bradfield Park, Lavender Bay and Blues Point, with thousands of punters descending on the spots on December 31 to take in the party. The council is looking to sell 8000 tickets for $50 each. Councillor Nicole Antonini said the cost to the council of hosting New Year's Eve celebrations was already over a million dollars and the implementation of the paid zone would reduce the cost to council by around $300,000 alone. 'Unfortunately … we're in a difficult position. This is not ideal, it's certainly not the preference of most of this council, but in our current financial situation, we have little choice, and for this year only, I support the recommendation of ticketing for this one site.' The report to North Sydney Council outlined three options for the 2025-26 event. Option 1 involved ticketing across all three spots to achieve 'full cost recovery'. Option 2 involved 'partial cost recovery', with ticketing limited to Blues Point, and Option 3 involved continuing with 'free managed access'. The motion to endorse option 2 was carried. Local resident Davie MacDonald said he 'heartily opposed' the idea but if it had to happen, wanted to see an amendment allowing local residents continued access to the area. 'The cost imposed onto young families of being able to go and enjoy the fireworks, especially because there is special fireworks on before 9 o'clock, and I think that impulse against young families, and even for local residents is something that I think you need to take a careful consideration,' Mr MacDonald said. 'I especially look to the progressive people in this chamber, my Labor friends here, and my green friend there, Councillor Hoy, that you must consider very carefully how this impacts on working people. 'Let me tell you, I'm here begging for this, and I never go to a New Year's Eve fireworks display, I actually think it's a waste of money and a terrible waste in that respect, but I ask you to at least, if you're going to accept having a fee there, that there's some kind of modification (for locals).' Previously access to all three sites was free. Council costs for the event include providing toilets and bins and crowd and traffic management. Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories. NewsWire The Coalition has called for a probe after Labor reversed the partial ban on US beef imports, with David Littleproud pointing fingers at the 'concerning' timing. Business Breaking News Australian shares have bounced back as major banks recover and Trump's EU trade deal boosts investor confidence across global markets.
News.com.au
28-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
North Sydney Council to introduce ticketed access to New Year's Eve observation spot
Revellers taking in Sydney's legendary New Year's Eve fireworks will soon have to shell out $50 to access a prime viewing spot in a major shake-up to how tourists and locals experience the beloved event. North Sydney councillors on Monday night decided to implement 'ticketed access' to Blues Point, a popular vantage point that fronts Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. It was a decision that councillors say was made 'with a heavy heart', Mayor Zoe Baker said, citing already high New Year's Eve expenditure and a poor budget position as decisive factors in the decision. 'I share your principle on this and have and every year that I've been on this council, I've always voted to keep public open space free and access free,' Ms Baker told the council meeting. 'But unfortunately, we as a council and a governing body have inherited a really precarious financial position that has not been relieved … And so it is with an exceptionally heavy heart that I find myself supporting the motion for one year only.' 
 'Councillors every year that I've been on the council (17), have written to state governments of varying political persuasions to the same response, which is no. 'I'm hopeful that this Labor state government, who are committed to public access to the foreshore for the fireworks, may be persuaded to provide us, even if it were with the amount that we're seeking to recover, so that we don't have to proceed with the closing of Blue's Point Reserve.' Ms Baker pointed out the ticketed area was one location in a local government area 'blessed with foreshore access and vantage points'. 'So if you cannot afford a ticket for Blues Point, then I'd urge you to go to Bradfield Park to Mary Booth Lookout to Kurraba Point, to Crem Point, to Waverton, to Carradeh Park, and every other vantage point … to see the fireworks on public land for free.' The council area boasts three renowned vantage points for the show, namely Bradfield Park, Lavender Bay and Blues Point, with thousands of punters descending on the spots on December 31 to take in the party. The council is looking to sell 8000 tickets for $50 each. Councillor Nicole Antonini said the cost to the council of hosting New Year's Eve celebrations was already over a million dollars and the implementation of the paid zone would reduce the cost to council by around $300,000 alone. 'Unfortunately … we're in a difficult position. This is not ideal, it's certainly not the preference of most of this council, but in our current financial situation, we have little choice, and for this year only, I support the recommendation of ticketing for this one site.' The report to North Sydney Council outlined three options for the 2025-26 event. Option 1 involved ticketing across all three spots to achieve 'full cost recovery'. Option 2 involved 'partial cost recovery', with ticketing limited to Blues Point, and Option 3 involved continuing with 'free managed access'. The motion to endorse option 2 was carried. Local resident Davie MacDonald said he 'heartily opposed' the idea but if it had to happen, wanted to see an amendment allowing local residents continued access to the area. 'The cost imposed onto young families of being able to go and enjoy the fireworks, especially because there is special fireworks on before 9 o'clock, and I think that impulse against young families, and even for local residents is something that I think you need to take a careful consideration,' Mr MacDonald said. 'I especially look to the progressive people in this chamber, my Labor friends here, and my green friend there, Councillor Hoy, that you must consider very carefully how this impacts on working people. 
 'Let me tell you, I'm here begging for this, and I never go to a New Year's Eve fireworks display, I actually think it's a waste of money and a terrible waste in that respect, but I ask you to at least, if you're going to accept having a fee there, that there's some kind of modification (for locals).' Previously access to all three sites was free.
News.com.au
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
North Sydney Council to debate ticketed access to three New Year's Eve observation spots
Revellers taking in Sydney's legendary New Year's Eve fireworks show could soon have to shell out $50 to access a prime viewing spot in a major shake-up to how tourists and locals experience the beloved event. North Sydney councillors will decide next week whether to implement 'ticketed access' to Blues Point, a popular vantage point that fronts Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. The council area boasts three renowned vantage points for the show, namely Bradfield Park, Lavender Bay and Blues Point, with thousands of punters descending on the spots on December 31 to take in the party. But a new report, which will be debated at the council's Monday night meeting, recommends councillors establish an introductory $50 ticket price for Blues Point to recoup costs associated with New Year's Eve. 'The current budget for NYE is $1,086,000,' the report states. 'To introduce ticketing at Blues Point only, additional costs of approximately $95,000 would be incurred including contract staff, equipment, and additional communications support. This would result in a total cost of $1,181,000. 'If 8000 tickets were sold to access Blues Point at $50 per ticket, this would generate $400,000 in revenue, reducing council's net expenditure to manage NYE crowds to circa $781,000.' At the moment, access to all three sites is free. Council costs for the event include providing toilets and bins and crowd and traffic management. Bradfield Park sits just below the northern end of the Harbour Bridge, close to Kirribilli House, while Lavender Bay sits between the park and Blues Point. The report acknowledges introducing tickets could cause some consternation in the community. 'Ticketing for an event which has been free of charge could see large numbers of non-ticket holders arriving at the sites, potentially manifesting in unsettled behaviour near entry gates, dissatisfaction voiced to staff on the ground or complaints to council's customer service centre,' the report states. 'This can be managed by regular, targeted communications in the lead-up to the event, along with well-planned operations and thorough briefing of staff prior to the event.' The countdown and fireworks is a hugely popular draw for both Sydneysiders and tourists from across the world. British tourist Ben Scammell, speaking after the 2023-24 show, told NewsWire that he was overawed and did not have words for the spectacle he witnessed. 'That was just … I don't have words for it,' he told said. 'It made the whole coming to Australia so much worth it … it was the pinnacle. 'That moment will last my whole lifetime.' The first batch of fireworks to mark the start of a new year explodes over Sydney Harbour at 9pm, with a second batch at midnight. Hundreds of thousands of people cram into the CBD and North Sydney to witness the show. The report to North Sydney Council outlines three options for the 2025-26 event. Option 1 involves ticketing across all three spots to achieve 'full cost recovery'. Option 2 involves 'partial cost recovery', with ticketing limited to Blues Point, and Option 3 involves continuing with 'free managed access'. The report recommends the councillors trial option 2. 'Subject to community consultation and feedback following NYE 2025-26, council could then decide whether to change the ticket price for future NYE managed access, expand or maintain the number of ticketed locations or return to free-access options for all managed sites,' the report states.
