Sydney Harbour Bridge to fall silent on New Year’s Eve as part of tribute to honour victims of Bondi tragedy

As Sydney prepares to ring in the new year with a show of bright colour across the harbour, the city will pause to honour the 15 lives lost in Bondi. At 9pm on New Year’s Eve the Harbour Bridge will shine white, with an image of a dove and the word “peace” projected onto it. The city will then pause for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the deadly Bondi Beach shooting and unite to condemn antisemitism. “While we are still reeling from the recent tragic events in Bondi, New Year’s Eve provides an opportunity to gather as a community, to pause and reflect, and to look with hope for a safer and more peaceful 2026,” Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. Moore also encouraged people to get involved, using their phone torch to shine a light in solidarity. “I invite everyone to pause and shine a torch light to show the Jewish community that we stand with them and that we reject violence, fear and antisemitism.” “These moments will provide an opportunity for people to show respect, to reflect on the atrocity and to say we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us,” Moore said. More than 1 million people are expected to flock to the harbour foreshore for the fireworks display, with hundreds of millions more beaming in from televisions around the world. From 10pm the bridge with go blue, in recognition of the event’s official charity partner Beyond Blue. “Staying connected is an important step towards healing after a traumatic event and social support is one of the most meaningful things we can offer and receive right now,” Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said. This years event will also be accompanied by a significantly ramped up police presence, as Operation Shelter goes into overdrive in the wake of the Bondi shooting. A City of Sydney spokesman said “event infrastructure is being deployed across the city ahead of New Year’s Eve” with concrete bollards and other measures popping up across the city. mental health support