NSW: 900,000 cram Harbour foreshore for fireworks

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-1999
NSW: 900,000 cram Harbour foreshore for fireworks

SYDNEY, Dec 31 AAP - Almost a million New Year's Eve revellers crammed along Sydney's
foreshore tonight just hours before the city welcomed in the new millennium.

Police Commander Dick Adams praised the generally well behaved crowds on the harbour
and said there had been no major incidents across New South Wales.

However, more than 200 people in Sydney were treated for minor injuries including lacerations
from falls and intoxication, he said.

There had been no arrests, but two people had been charged with drug offences in Byron
Bay earlier in the evening.

Eight flares had been illegally set off from several of the 5,000 boats swarming across
the harbour and youths had set off firecrackers near Oxford Street in the city.

"There have been no major incidents from a police point of view, the ambulance has
treated 210 people in the vicinity of the foreshore and Circular Quay," Commander Adams
said.

"We are very pleased with the way the evening has progressed.

"I can assure you the crowd has been very well behaved."

Cmdr Adams said many families with children started leaving the Quay after the 9pm
fireworks and there had been no problems with trains taking them home from the city.

With the departure of families, there was still room along the harbour for more revellers
wanting to watch the midnight fireworks extravaganza.

"I am pleased that the Cityrail system is working ... at present it is not quite working
at capacity," Cmdr Adams said.

The city's celebrations began on schedule at 9pm with a 10-minute fireworks display
in cool and blustery conditions.

AAP sb/cdh

KEYWORD: EVE NSW CROWDS SECOND LEAD

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