I don't have any problem with Sydney fireworks on NYE. I think the cost of the fireworks this year was 6 million dollars and extra revenue for for Sydney alone is expected to be about $160 million.

We live in Sydney and over the years have hosted probably 6 young overseas visitors whose main purpose (believe it or not) in coming to Oz was to be part of the Sydney NYE party. In all cases they stayed on for a number of weeks, being tourists and spending their money here. Two young women were so impressed with our wonderful country that they are returning next year on 2 years visas to teach school.

We spent Christmas in Canada and when we said we were from Sydney several young people  working in cafes and on the ski slopes mentioned the Sydney NYE fireworks and how they would love to see them one day. Like it or not, they are one of Australia's most recognised events.

If you are old enough to remember cracker nights, then you probably should remember why the sale of fireworks is banned most places in Australia. For weeks afterwards papers would be full of stories of people (usually young people) being injured, often quite badly,  by fireworks either being set off accidentally, or being deliberately aimed at others.

I don't think we ever hurt anyone, but we definitely burned down our grandparents' back fence one year, when a rocket landed in a box of fireworks waiting to be let off. The combination of hot, dry, windy NYE weather and freely available fireworks does not bear thinking about.

Personally I always enjoy them. We watch them from our Sydney roof top, and can also see the local displays, including yours at Botany Bay. I'll bet there were plenty of others who enjoyed them too.