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New Year's Eve revellers flock to Melbourne CBD

Partygoers are flocking into Melbourne to secure a spot to welcome in 2018 and view the 14 tonnes of fireworks set to light up the city sky.

A file photo of Melbourne’s New Year fireworks.
A file photo of Melbourne’s New Year fireworks. Source: Supplied

2 min read

Published

Updated

By Hande Ergen



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Security fears haven't dampened Melbourne's New Year's Eve celebrations, with crowds gathering for a show featuring 14 tonnes of fireworks.

Parts of the CBD have gone into lockdown, with extra bollards and hundreds of police officers on the streets to keep crowds safe amid heightened security concerns.

The celebrations come 10 days after a vehicle ran down pedestrians on the corner or Flinders and Elizabeth streets, killing one man.

Karina Davis, who had grabbed a patch of grass with friends at Treasury Gardens, admitted the thought of a potential attack had played on her mind.

"I'm trying not to be paranoid and let that overshadow anything," she told AAP.

Other revellers weren't concerned, pointing to the ramped-up security.

"Look, there's a lot of security down there and ... I feel fairly safe, I really do," said Jessica Portughese, out for the evening with 10-year-old daughter Charlette.

More than $2.6 million is being spent on fireworks, with the first and family-friendly show scheduled for 9.30pm ahead of the main event at midnight.

Free entertainment and food stalls will also be on offer at Treasury Gardens, Kings Domain, Docklands and Flagstaff Gardens from 9pm.

Police say anyone who comes into the city to cause trouble will be quickly pounced on.

More than half-a-million people are expected in the CBD, with extra public transport services running until 6am for free.

Booze and drug buses will also be out in force, and authorities warn people planning to get behind the wheel after drinking or doing drugs can expect to be caught.


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