Port of Newcastle will mark its 220th year in operation with a fireworks display on 26 January in partnership with the City of Newcastle.

Since the first commercial shipment in 1799, Port of Newcastle has grown to become Australia’s third-largest port by volume.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the organisation was excited to celebrate the milestone by sponsoring the fireworks display above the city’s working harbour.

“The Port and the City of Newcastle have grown and prospered together over more than two centuries,” Mr Carmody said.

“We were pleased to join the City of Newcastle as a Presenting Partner of the New Year’s Eve celebrations and look forward to seeing the fireworks display now occur on 26 January.

“Little did anyone realise in 1799, when the barque, Hunter, left the harbour with coal bound for India, that the port would go on to become so integral to the growth and economic prosperity of Newcastle and regional NSW.

“The Port plays a significant role as an economic driver and a catalyst for growth throughout our region, state and nation – in the Lower Hunter alone, activity within the Port of Newcastle contributes $1.6 billion and 9,000 jobs per annum.”

While the fireworks display was originally scheduled to be part of the community’s New Years Eve event, the wild weather forced it to be delayed.

“City of Newcastle has now advised Port of Newcastle of a revised approved date of Saturday 26 January,” Mr Carmody said.

“We’re pleased to have been given a new date and hope people will find a good vantage point of the harbour.”

Details

What: Fireworks display
Where: Vantage points throughout the working harbour and from elevated positions across Newcastle
When: 8.30pm – Saturday 26 January 2019

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