NEW Year’s Eve celebrations in Brisbane are set to be the city’s biggest ever, with two new river precincts joining the midnight fireworks display.

In a bid to spread the party beyond the CBD, synchronised fireworks displays will be set off at Hamilton’s Portside Wharf and Eagle Street Pier as well as at three traditional sites around South Bank.

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Brisbane City Council economic development chairman Cr Julian Simmonds said the scale of this year’s celebration “represents our standing as a new world city”.

Display organisers Skylighter Fireworks have been planning the event for more than two months.

“This year we have Queensland’s largest ever fireworks display in the making,” Max Brunner from Skylighter Fireworks said.

“This year we’re moving from three barges and three rooftops to now five barges and three rooftops.

“We have to keep raising the bar so people go home and say `that was the best one yet’.” Family events including free film screenings will begin from lunchtime along with live music performances and food stalls along South Bank.

A family fireworks display will go off at 8.30pm at four barges, while Portside Wharf will join the party for the main midnight event.

All public transport will be free of charge from 9pm on New Year’s Eve until 5.30am on New Year’s Day.