Sydney - An estimated 1.5 million people welcomed 2009 by watching the traditional spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour which this year featured the theme "Creation" over the city's iconic bridge.

The city of four million cocked a snook at the global recession by spending more than 3.4 million US dollars on an extravaganza using 5,000 kilos of explosive devices in about 11,000 shells launched digitally from seven barges, seven city buildings, and the bridge itself, creating 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.

An animated star appeared on the bridge just after 9:00 pm (1000 GMT) kicking off a preview fireworks display for families with young children and transformed itself into different images building up to a midnight climax as the New Year arrived in the first major city in the world after making its debut in New Zealand.

Australian landscapes were projected onto pylons of the bridge as a parade of more than 50 ships and ferries sailed down the harbour towards the city's famous Opera House.

The climatic display simulated lightning, thunder and rain in never-seen-before pyrotechnics that, in the words of creative director Rhoda Roberts "rained fireworks on everyone, across the harbour, very safely."

The AAP news agency reported that watching thousands cheered and raised their champagne glasses and beer cans in a toast as fireworks exploded over the Opera House, with thousands of camera flashes rivalling the official show. (dpa)