Name: Mostly peaceful New Year’s Eve marred by illegal fireworks injuries
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T06:15:07.988Z
Duration: 2 min 48 s
Description: Authorities across the country have praised the behaviour of most New Year’s Eve revellers. Illegal fireworks marred otherwise peaceful celebrations, causing several injuries as paramedics reported a surge in emergency callouts.

Authorities across the country have praised the behaviour of most New Year’s Eve revellers. Illegal fireworks marred otherwise peaceful celebrations, causing several injuries as paramedics reported a surge in emergency callouts.

Perth

Australians across major cities including Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne celebrated the arrival of 2026 with elaborate fireworks and laser displays. Public gatherings began early, with crowds packing city streets, parks, and waterfronts to mark the occasion.

Authorities responded to over 300 fireworks-related incidents, including minor fires and injuries, and maintained a strong police presence throughout the night. Despite some disruptions and arrests, officials commended the majority of attendees for their responsible behaviour during the festivities.

Mostly peaceful New Year’s Eve marred by illegal fireworks injuries

Saying goodbye to 2025 and hello to a new year. As the clock struck midnight, city skylines lit up from Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne with dazzling fireworks and laser displays. The party starting early with picnics in parks and hundreds of thousands of people packing city streets. Happy New Year! In WA, the best seat in the house was at the beach to see the sun set on the year, where for some, plans were left open-ended. I don't know what I'm going to be doing this evening, but it will probably be a few more glasses of wine, I don't know. In Melbourne, pontoon bars, cruise boats and every vantage point along the banks of the Yarra was prime real estate for the main show. It didn't all go to plan though. Rogue fireworks ignited a garden bed on the roof at one treasury place, home to the Premier's office and other key government departments. It was put out very quickly. The impact to the building is fairly minimal, but it is something that will obviously have to be looked at. It was one of 313 fireworks-related incidents Victoria Police responded to. Some ignited fires, including at the Dramana Drive-In on the Mornington Peninsula. Others resulted in serious injury, with a 31-year-old Micallam man hospitalised with serious facial injuries. At some stage, people have to take responsibility for their own actions and stop purchasing illegal fireworks and stop using illegal fireworks. At lawn on the Great Ocean Road, a 16-year-old boy was questioned after setting off a flare among the crowd during the 9.30 fireworks. While masked hoons shut down Brisbane's Gateway Bridge as they did burnouts and set off fireworks. There was a noticeable armed police presence in the major capitals, patrolling celebrations. Dozens of arrests were made for various incidents, including assaults. So while some people took things too far, and police and paramedics were stretched at times, authorities have praised the behaviour of most of the revellers who partied their way into 2026. Happy New Year! It was amazing, it was pretty cool and it was beautiful. Better than last year's. Happy New Year! And while not all made it to midnight, I'll be sleeping by then. many made a few quiet resolutions for the year ahead. Yeah, get fit. Drink more French Champagne, I think. Now that one might hold. Harvey Biggs, 10 News.

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