New Year's Eve: Victorians urged to have a safe, fun night
Victorians have been told to enjoy a safe New Year's Eve with about 550,000 people expected to converge on Melbourne's CBD.
Free events were held at four live entertainment sites across the city including Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, Docklands and Kings Domain from 9:00pm to 1:00am.
Seven and a half tonnes of fireworks will be let off from 21 different sites throughout the city.
The early fireworks start at 9:30pm in the city and Footscray Park.
Public transport was free from 6:00pm.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews urged everyone to have a good time but to stay safe.
"I do hope that people come into the city, whether it be with family or friends, or to a local function in the community that they live in, please be safe, please careful, please be smart," he said.
"Please make sure you plan how you're going to get home look out for each other but most of all have fun."
Mr Andrews said 2015 will be a "really busy, a really productive year" for his new Government.
"Were' going to get on with the job of making sure that we deliver on all the commitments we made, to make sure Victoria is such a bright place," he said.
"[We'll be] working hard to ensure the next four years are not like the last four where Victoria again becomes the ideas engine room of our nation."
Take a look at today's road closures in Melbourne.
Concern over risk from illegal fireworks
Meanwhile, people using illegal fireworks to ring in the New Year are being warned they could cop heavy fines and risk being injured.
CFA operations manager Richard Bourke said the risks of starting a fire increased significantly with dry conditions across parts of the state.
He said official fireworks displays were conducted by those who were licensed and trained, and followed strict guidelines.
"What we're really concerned about is those people who have illegal fireworks," he said.
"They don't have the understanding of the risks that are associated with starting fires, particularly with the really dry grass we have around the south-west of Victoria this time of year.
"There's a real risk of creating fires on the landscape that could otherwise be avoided."
