The NSW Police Force is encouraging locals and visitors to celebrate safely ahead of the national holiday.
Operation Australia Day 2019 will commence on Saturday (26 January 2019) with thousands of people expected to join in Australia Day celebrations across NSW.
The high-visibility police operation, will see general duties officers, assisted by specialist police, to ensure a safe and secure environment for attendees.
Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb APM, said large crowds are expected to join in the various events throughout the state and police will be there to ensure you are able to do this safely.
“Uniformed and plain-clothes police will be patrolling the streets, targeting alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Webb said.
“We ask that the public take responsibility for your actions, look after your mates and drink in moderation to avoid any negative interactions with police.
“Alcohol can impair your judgement and you can find yourself a victim of crime or before the courts – we don’t want either of these for you or your friends.
“There will be additional police resources deployed on the ground, in the air, and on the water to ensure crowd movements are managed safely,” Assistant Commissioner Webb said.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said our men and women in blue do a tremendous job keeping the people of NSW safe, and reminded revellers to do their part too and take care of their mates this Australia Day.
“Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude for the amazing country we all call home, and that includes our world-class law enforcement that work hard to protect us all year round,” Mr Grant said.
“We definitely want people to have a great time, but please don’t let it be at the expense of other people’s safety. The last thing we want to see is people locked up on a day where we should be celebrating together, so make sure you’re doing the right thing to make the day memorable for all the right reasons.”
Assistant Commissioner Webb is urging the community to monitor weather reports and follow health and safety advice, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting hot weather.
“As the weather heats up, I cannot stress strongly enough to motorists that it’s not only an offence for children or pets to be left unattended in a vehicle, it can be deadly,” Assistant Commissioner Webb said.
“It’s also important to drink plenty of water, stay cool, take care of others and seek medical advice if you feel unwell.
“If you see pets, children or vulnerable people located in a car, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.”
As Sydney Harbour is a popular destination to spend Australia Day, police are reminding skippers of their responsibilities in complying with the maritime laws and to have all the required safety equipment – most importantly, lifejackets – on board the vessel.
Officers from the Marine Area Command will be conducting drug and alcohol testing on the water, so remember, the same rule applies to as if you were driving a vehicle, it is a 0.05 alcohol limit.
For anyone heading out on the water, check the weather conditions prior to your departure, exclusion zones and movement times apply. Please visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/ for further details.
There will be road closures in place – particularly within the Sydney CBD – throughout the day, so members of the public are asked to leave the car at home and utilise public transport.
A reminder for people who insist on driving to plan your trip via www.livetraffic.com, and allow extra time and expect delays.
If you are planning to attend an event, remember to check the conditions of entry, especially relating to alcohol-free zones.
Members of the public should also remember that glass bottles are prohibited in some of the event areas so ensure you check conditions of entry.
A comprehensive Australia Day transport guide – with information for travel to and from events from 7am – is available by visiting www.transportnsw.info.
For details about what’s happening in your area and further event-related information, visit the official Australia Day website: https://www.australiaday.com.au/
