New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Sydney Harbour Light Parade

When

• Monday, 30 December 2024 – 8:00pm to 2:00am Wednesday, 1 January 2025

Special Event 

Vessel operators are advised that a Special Event pursuant to Section 12(2) of the Marine Safety Act 1998 is to be held on Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour from 8:00am on Tuesday, 31 December 2024 until 2:00am on Wednesday, 1 January 2024.

The event is the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Sydney Harbour lights parade.

Regulated Area

Transport for NSW will establish a Regulated Area with declared special restrictions (including ‘No Anchoring’ and Exclusion Zones) at the locations described as follows: 

1. From 8:00pm (30 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Jeffrey Street Wharf, Kirribilli will be closed to all vessels.
2. From 8:00am (31 Dec 2024) to 2:00am (1 Jan 2025), anchoring of vessels in the areas which will become the Exclusion Zone later in the evening (as per the map) is prohibited.
   1. Exclusion zone area
   2. Balmain East and Goat Island
   3. Lane Cove River entrance
   4. Balls Head
   5. Garden Island
   6. Bradleys Head channel
3. From10:00am (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) McMahons Point ferry wharf will be closed to all vessels.
4. From 11:30am (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Woolwich (Valencia Street) ferry wharf will be closed to all vessels.
5. From 12:00pm (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Farm Cove will be restricted to vessels with a maximum length of 15 metres.
6. From 3:00pm (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Milsons Point ferry wharf will be closed to all vessels.
7. From 3:00pm (31 Dec 2024) to 2:00am (1 Jan 2025), minimum wash to be created and a maximum speed limit of 6 knots and is declared in the whole Area (unless otherwise authorised by Transport for NSW or Police).
8. From 5:30pm (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Cremorne Point ferry wharf will be closed to all vessels.
9. From 5:45pm (31 Dec 2024) to 1:00am (1 Jan 2025) Balmain East (Darling Street) ferry wharf will be closed to all vessels.

Exclusion zone

Due to the potential to affect the safety of navigation Transport for NSW has granted Exclusive Use Aquatic Licences to the City of Sydney Council and Banks Events Pty Ltd to conduct the Event and Exclusion Zones (‘the Zones’) will be established on the navigable waters of Port Jackson on Sydney Harbour inside the Regulated Area from 8:00pm on Tuesday, 31 December 2024 to 12:45am on Wednesday, 1 January 2025. The Exclusion Zone areas are determined on the map and will be marked by a perimeter of lit yellow buoys.

No unauthorised vessels or persons are to enter the Exclusion Zone under any circumstances, which will be patrolled by Police, Maritime, and Marine Rescue vessels. The times stipulated above may be extended without notice by Transport for NSW in the interests of public safety. Vessel operators are to follow directions of Maritime and Police vessels in this area.

Directions

Transport for NSW advises that in relation to the exclusion zone:

• No unauthorised vessels or persons are permitted to enter the zone and to do so may be an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.12(5) — Maximum Penalty $1,100.00).
• Persons within the vicinity of the zone must comply with any directions given by any Boating Safety Officer or Police Officer in relation marine safety. Failure to comply with any such direction is an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.15A - Maximum Penalty $3,300.00). 

Maps and Charts Affected

• Transport for NSW Boating Map 9D
• Transport for NSW Boating Map 9G
• Event area map
• Navigation Chart AUS 200