Sydney – Hundreds of people began queuing at 6 am Wednesday for vantage points to see the traditional spectacular fireworks display that welcomes the New Year over Sydney Harbour.

City officials predicted that 1.5 million spectators would gather at the waterfront by midnight to see a pyrotechnic display promised to simulate lightning, thunder and rain as has never been seen before.

Creative director Rhoda Roberts said the display, with the theme “Creation Storm,” would “rain fireworks on everyone, across the harbour, very safely.”

Fireworks director Fortunato Foti said the arrival of 2009 would be signalled with more than 5,000 kilograms of explosive devices, including 11,000 shells, 10,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.

Officials said Australian landscapes would be projected onto pylons of the city’s world famous Harbour Bridge before a mid-evening family fireworks display and a parade of more than 50 ships and ferries set the stage for the midnight extravaganza. (dpa)

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