A popular vantage point for the world-famous NYE fireworks in Sydney is at risk of closing after years of environmental damage at the site.
The Balls Head Reserve at Waverton is set to either close completely or open but with limited capacity this year, after a report from the council detailed the immense damage the sight has endured.
The reserve is North Sydney’s single largest bushland remnant, with “iconic bushland-framed views of Sydney Harbour”.
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In a council meeting, the reserve was described as a “popular” yet “unmanaged” vantage point.
“Bushland vegetation at Balls Head has been damaged every NYE due to large numbers of attendees spilling out of the formal vantage points and into sensitive bushland areas,” council meeting notes stated.
“This has led to a cycle of declining vegetative cover, soil loss/instability, weed invasion, and reducing species diversity, all of which has required rehabilitation resources to be reallocated from other, more ecologically, significant areas in the reserve.”
For a few years (2019-2022) attendance at the reserve was limited due to severe bushfire conditions and COVID-19 restrictions, in which time the bushland vegetation made “a substantial recovery”.
However, in 2023, larger than anticipated crowds returned to the site, resulting in significant damage, the council warned.
The damage has left the council with no choice but to either fully close the reserve to NYE crowds or allow supervised and regulated access to crowds at a reduced capacity.
The council report went on to recommend such a closure be enforced through fencing and security guards at a cost of $16,800.
“Negative community reaction” was also flagged as an outcome of the closure.
Councillors are expected to vote on plans to close the reserve at a meeting next week.
