NSW: New technology to amaze fireworks fans on NYE

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2009
NSW: New technology to amaze fireworks fans on NYE

SYDNEY, Dec 29 AAP - Australian-first fireworks technology will leave Sydney's New
Year's Eve revellers amazed by brilliant colours and perfect timing, so long as the weather
holds out, organisers say.

Some $650,000 had been spent on the fireworks alone that will ignite the city's skies
at 9pm and midnight (AEDT) on Thursday, said fireworks director Fortunato Foti.

The City of Sydney Council said a total of $5 million would be spent on staging the
New Year extravaganza.

"You'll see some spectacular new pyrotechnic effects using Australian-first microchip
fireworks this year which allow us to create large patterns and shapes with precision
and definition," Mr Foti told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

While the precise details of the fireworks, including three images on the Sydney Harbour
Bridge, remain largely under wraps, the theme for the event is Awaken the Spirit.

One bridge effect, revealed in a picture published by The Daily Telegraph, shows a
blue circle encased in red and gold.

It reportedly represents December 31's "blue" moon, which is a rare second full moon
in a calendar month.

"We don't want to give too much away," fireworks creative director Rhoda Roberts said,
confident that crowds would be amazed and excited.

Workers on Tuesday were busy putting the finishing touches on seven months of work
as they loaded 120,000kg of equipment onto barges to be positioned around the harbour
and on the bridge.

Fireworks will also launch from city rooftops.

Among the fireworks will be a recreation of the stars of the southern cross and a blue
theme will be maintained throughout the display with crowd members encouraged to wear
something blue for the event.

The colour represents Sydney's spirit, the city's blue harbour and blue sky, Ms Roberts said.

More than 6,000 hours of work goes into the New Year's Eve fireworks display, and Mr
Foti said everything was on track for a great event, despite forecast overcast weather
and rain in the lead-up to Thursday.

He admitted wind was the greatest concern for organisers and recalled that about five
years ago the 9pm display had to be abandoned because of 90km/h winds.

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KEYWORD: EVE NSW (PIX TO COME)

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