__For the first time, and never used before in Australia, 4 aerial pyrotechnic platforms will feature in both the Calling Country and midnight displays. Hovering above the water between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, the platforms will combine to create various formations and launch around 600 pyrotechnic effects. __
There will be more firing positions across the Harbour Bridge than ever - increasing to 264 from 184 last year - with 80 positions added to the western side for the first time.
Innovative technology will enable drop comet fireworks to create patterns and shapes like a shark, fish and the word 'Sydney' that will fall from the Harbour Bridge in a waterfall effect.
The family from Foti International Fireworks has put more than 4,500 hours into preparing for the spectacular. With a legacy of firework-making that dates back to 1793, the pyrotechnic masters continue to innovate, promising exciting surprises for this year's event.
"We're always looking at how we can evolve our show and believe this will be one of the most innovative New Year's Eve displays in the world," Fortunato Foti, director of Foti International Fireworks, said.
"Not only do we have more fireworks than ever before, we're extremely excited to introduce the aerial platforms concept - the first time this has been done in Australian fireworks history.
"The introduction of 80 new positions on the bridge and an additional firing location on the western side has enabled us to extend the footprint of the display and offer people a better view of the fireworks. No matter where you are around the harbour, you're in for a great show!"
More than 9 tonnes of fireworks will be launched on the night from 16 locations linked by 80km of wiring and cables to 16 computers and 32 firing panels.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said the team from Foti are spending 12 days in the lead up to New Year's Eve setting up fireworks across all the locations.
"It's no wonder our New Year's Eve display is regarded as one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks shows on earth," the Lord Mayor said.
"Every year the Foti family works its magic to produce an event that continues to be bigger, brighter and more innovative and entertaining."
Some of the highlights of the 9pm and midnight displays include:
- 8 water-based fireworks platforms launching more than 11,000 aerial shells
- 18 shipping containers of equipment and fireworks on barges
- 70 Foti crew members working on the fireworks on the night
- 120 tonnes of equipment used across all firing locations
- 1,000 fireworks will shoot from the top of the Sydney Opera House sails
- 13,000 aerial shells including 10 new custom designs such as birds, fish, jellyfish, emu tracks and fishhooks
- 23,000 individual pyrotechnic cues synchronising the display across all firing locations
- 40,000 shooting ground-based effects
- 30,000 effects will be fired from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from 7,500 individual pyrotechnic cues.
Fortunato emphasised the importance of soundtracks in helping to enhance the displays and elevate the experience for audiences.
"We spend weeks meticulously planning the displays to ensure they are perfectly synchronised with each show's specially created soundtrack," Fortunato said.
"We work through every segment of the soundtracks - the lyrics, the highs and lows of the music, the breaks and the crescendo - to ensure the display visually matches the mood and energy as perfectly as possible."
The 9pm display will be accompanied by an 8-minute soundtrack called Our Greats created by producer, rapper and ARIA Award winner, Nooky, which features the voices of his daughters Olivia (7) and Calula Webster (6).
The 12-minute midnight display will be synchronised to an original soundtrack created by award-winning screen composer, Luna Pan. The 3-part soundtrack combines orchestral, techno house, reggae, lofi hip-hop, liquid drum and bass, and rock.
The City of Sydney strongly encourages people to plan for New Year's Eve. Details about vantage points, managed entry points, accessibility, transport, programming and more are all available at sydneynewyearseve.com
For those planning to stay at home, ABC TV will broadcast live from Sydney Harbour at 8:30pm, and the 9pm and midnight fireworks will be live streamed on the official website and on ABC iview.
You can also listen to the exclusive soundtracks at 9pm and midnight on KIIS 1065.
