As millions of people around Australia, and even more around the world, tune in to watch Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks, the ongoing bushfire crisis enveloping the country won't be far from their minds.
Amid calls for the $6.5 million event to be scrapped out of respect for those affected by the disaster and the high fire risk, City of Sydney council announced that they will be urging spectators to dig deep and donate to the bushfire response.
On Tuesday evening during the 9pm and midnight displays, a link will be projected on to each of the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons directing people to Australian Red Cross disaster relief donation site.
"Tonight we expect a million people around the harbour, and a billion around the world, to watch Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations, which is Australia's biggest public event," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said on Tuesday.
Crowds gather at Mrs Macquarie's Chair before tonight's New Years Eve fireworks in Sydney. Source: AAP
"We will be channelling the positive energy of the event to support Australian communities that have been impacted by the bushfires by encouraging people to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."
The link to donate will also be broadcast during the ABC's coverage of the event, Cr Moore said.
Over the course of New Year's Eve, more than 100,000 fireworks will be let off over Sydney Harbour, with fears the display will add more smoke to the already hazy city.
A Change.org petition calling for fireworks to be scrapped around the country and for the money to be donated to firefighters, animal carers and farmers has so far reached more than 280,000 signatures.
The decision to continue with the Sydney event has also come under fire from NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who called for it to be cancelled, and federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese who described it as "problematic" on Tuesday.
But while the Sydney fireworks will go ahead, a number of fireworks events around the country have been cancelled due to dangerous conditions and have been replaced with NSW RFS fundraising events or a donation from local councils.
Organisers of NYE in the Park, a music festival to be held in Sydney's Victoria Park, announced on Tuesday they would be cancelling their fireworks display and redirecting the funds to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for their "heroic efforts" after an online poll overwhelming showed attendees were in favour of the decision.
The Central Coast Council will also be cancelling a number of planned fireworks due to dangerous conditions and donating $10,000 to the NSW RFS.
Total fire bans remain in place in 11 areas across NSW, with police urging people to refrain from using fireworks illegally.
"I want to send a very clear message to those members of the general public who are thinking of setting off fireworks today. If you have not been granted an exemption, you can expect to be dealt with under the full force of the law," Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said.
