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Qld NYE revellers praised for behaviour

Queensland New Year's Eve revellers have been praised for their good behaviour after police made fewer arrests than last time despite large crowds.

A boy plays at South Bank in Brisbane
The largest New Year's Eve fireworks display in Queensland's history kicked off 2016 in Brisbane. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Queensland police are praising New Year's Eve revellers after there were fewer arrests than in the previous year despite larger crowds.

A total of 536 revellers - 100 fewer than last New Year's Eve - was arrested at celebrations across the state, mostly for public order and drug-related offences.

Also 231 street and liquor infringement notices were issued.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said revellers were better behaved than during the previous New Year's Eve, despite large crowds.

An estimated 120,000 gathered a Brisbane's South Bank for a fireworks extravaganza, while some 50,000 celebrated in Surfers Paradise.

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"I think the message is getting through ... It's wonderful to see people looking after their mates, looking after family members and taking responsibility for their own safety," Mr Stewart said.

However, he noted incidents on Mornington Island where five youths were arrested for severely assaulting two others, and at a hotel in the Brisbane's east where several people refused to leave.

Drink-driving and speed detections were down on the previous New Year's Eve, but the number of drug-driving detections jumped from 12 to 61.

A motorcyclist also died after a collision with a car at Slacks Creek, near Logan, taking the state's holiday road toll to 5.

AAP mjg/aab


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