- Published:
- Sunday 29 December 2024
Victorians are being encouraged to celebrate the new year safely -with the Allan Labor Government working closely with Victoria Police, emergency services and local councils to ensure 2025 gets off to a safe start for everyone.
Minister for Police and Community Safety Anthony Carbines today joined City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece and emergency services organisations to announce the measures in place to ensure festivities across the state are safe.
New Year’s Eve brings more people into the Melbourne CBD at one time than any other event and attracts around 500,000 people each year. Melbourne will ring in 2025 with a fireworks and laser display to light up the city across 27 CBD rooftops.
Visitors to the city are encouraged to view the fireworks from the four family-friendly celebration zones located at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and the Shrine. The areas will feature local fireworks displays, as well as DJs, dance workshops and live entertainment.
Police will be out in force across the state throughout the night, with uniform and plain clothes officers carrying out extra patrols and targeting antisocial behaviour, violence, and drink and drug driving.
Additional wardens and security guards will also be present across the city and monitoring behaviour, as well as seven kilometres of fencing to manage crowds in key CBD areas.
Major changes to regular traffic and pedestrian access on the night will take place to ensure crowds can move around safely. People should plan ahead by checking the closures and detours at nye.melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Police will have a strong presence on Victorian roads, targeting motorists who are drug and alcohol affected, speeding and driving dangerously.
Tragically in 2023, 295 lives were lost on Victorian roads, the highest since 2008, while 279 lives have been lost to date this year.
Earlier this week, the Allan Labor Government launched its second Road Safety Action Plan. More than $1.1 billion is being invested until 2028, including $350 million in new initiatives to help prevent serious crashes and to keep Victorians safe.
Protective services officers (PSOs) will be present on trams, trains and train stations around Melbourne CBD, and in key areas across the state including Geelong, Ballarat, Frankston, and Bendigo.
Police will also use specialist squads where needed, including water police, mounted branch, public order response team and air wing.
The New Year’s Eve celebrations are supported by the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund – a partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Labor Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
“We want Victorians to kick off 2025 with joy and excitement so we need everyone to play their part to keep each other safe on such a busy night.”
“We thank every single emergency service worker and security staff who will be working right through the night to keep Victorians safe.”
Quotes attributable to City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece
"Melbourne is the place to be this New Year's Eve and we're expecting half a million people to flock to the city for that magical midnight moment. If you are coming into the city, please plan ahead, make use of public transport, head to one of our four Celebration Zones and lookout for each other."