Temperatures of up to 33 degrees are forecast for Sydney on Tuesday, with maximums of 41 degrees in Parramatta and 43 degrees in Penrith. Parramatta Council has cancelled its celebrations. "[Parramatta Council] was not granted an exemption to proceed with its fireworks display, due to the total fire ban in place and a range of associated risks including extreme temperatures, smoke, dust and poor air quality, extremely dry conditions at Parramatta Park, and limited resources to manage potential fires locally due to fires across the state," City of Parramatta lord mayor Bob Dwyer said on Monday afternoon. "In addition, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast high winds with a southerly change on New Year's Eve, which pose too big a risk to the health and safety of our community. "It is unfortunate that we won't be able to celebrate New Year's Eve with our community. This decision has not been made lightly and council apologises that it will not be able to deliver the popular free event. Council is making a $10,000 donation to the NSW Rural Fire Service to support their fantastic work," Cr Dwyer said.

Campbelltown City Council has cancelled its fireworks display at Koshigaya Park but will continue with planned entertainment and rides. Fireworks at Rowland Reserve in Bayview on the northern beaches have also been cancelled, while those at Manly and Dee Why will go ahead. Liverpool City Council will also not go ahead with fireworks. "Weather conditions are not favourable and this is the most appropriate course of action," Mayor Wendy Waller said. "There will still be fantastic live entertainment ... this is a time for the folks in Liverpool to come together to celebrate our community and start a wonderful 2020." The Balls Head Reserve vantage point at Waverton will be closed due to elevated fire risks, as will North Head at Manly and Bradleys Head at Mosman. Ticketholders for Bradleys Head will be able to obtain a refund.

Split views on fireworks displays The fireworks display has generated debate as fires rage across the state in the lead-up to the new year, but Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore called for the Sydney Harbour fireworks to go ahead if the RFS deemed conditions safe. "We appreciate that there is a lot of suffering in the community at the moment," Ms Berejiklian said on the weekend. "NSW has always been a state that's hopeful about the future, that's resilient, that's optimistic. And we need to stay strong so we can keep supporting our communities that are doing it tough.

"Sydney is one of the first cities in the world that welcomes in the new year, and if it's safe to do so, we should continue to do it as we've done every other year." Loading But Deputy Premier John Barilaro on Monday backed calls to ditch the fireworks. "[It's a] very easy decision," he said on Twitter. "The risk is too high and we must respect our exhausted RFS volunteers. If regional areas have had fireworks banned, then let's not have two classes of citizens. We're all in this crisis together." More than 270,000 people had signed a petition to cancel the Sydney fireworks by Monday afternoon, calling for money spent on New Year's Eve to be given to farmers, firefighters and animal carers. The City of Sydney acknowledged calls to cancel the celebrations but said canning the fireworks would have "little practical benefit for affected communities".

Preparations began 15 months ago for Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations, which generate $130 million for the NSW economy. Loading "This means most of the budget, largely used for crowd safety and cleaning measures, has already been spent," the council said this month. Cr Moore said the council was instead using the "huge reach" of the event "to encourage people around the world to support the [Red Cross'] important work of helping people who have been affected by disaster". Police have asked those who plan to arrive early at fireworks viewing spots to make sure they are prepared for the weather, which includes having sun protection and lots of hydrating fluids.