NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wants Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks to go ahead as a symbol of hope for 2021 but says most people will have to watch the extravaganza from home.
"I do want to offer people a glimmer of hope to say there'll be something that evening; it won't be what we normally do," Ms Berejiklian told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday.
"The vast majority of us will be at home celebrating with family and friends but we want to make sure there is some symbol of hope for the new year."
The City of Sydney council, the event's organiser, has indicated it is concerned about hosting an event that would draw large crowds to the CBD amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The government was consulting police, transport and health authorities to see what was possible, Ms Berejiklian said.
"We are keen to demonstrate to Australia and to the world that ... 2021 should be a year of hope," she said.
NSW was doing well dealing with the pandemic so we "don't want to blow it all up so we have to be very careful", she said
NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres was due to meet with Lord Mayor Clover Moore on Thursday to discuss the issue.
Australian Associated Press
