Sydney's most popular shopping destination featured some conspicuous new additions on Tuesday morning, as crowds queueing for a Boxing Day bargain took note of a number of large semi-trailers parked around Pitt Street Mall and the Queen Victoria Building.
Security upgrades were obvious in the city, with bollards and semi-trailer trucks used as temporary barricades. The semi-trailers were particularly jarring in Sydney's prime shopping district, parked at odd angles to stop traffic from getting through.
A spokeswoman for NSW Police said these measures were introduced in anticipation of the large crowds. Barricades were in place last year as well.
"In light of the large number of people expected at Boxing Day sales, police in conjunction with Transport NSW have put safety measures in place," the spokeswoman said.
"This is a one-day police operation, whilst there is no specific threat, NSW Police continue to urge the public to be vigilant and report anything that doesn't look right."
Police also reminded people that the "terrorist threat in Australia has not changed, and the level remains at 'probable' under the National Terrorism Threat Advisory system".
The bolstered security for Australia's golden day of sales comes just days after the horrific scenes of Melbourne's Flinders Street vehicle attack in which 19 people were injured.
The intersection of George Street and Market Street is closed to traffic between 1am and 11pm on Tuesday in a move Transport NSW dubbed an "extra treat" for shoppers braving the sales.
A spokesman for Transport NSW confirmed this was not the first time road closures had been in place around Pitt Street Mall on Boxing Day.
The trucks were initially used to transport the concrete bollards before being parked, they also provide a degree of flexibility as they can be moved if other vehicles need to be let in.
"Boxing Day can be a frantic time with massive crowds coming into the CBD and we're happy to be able to provide retailers and shoppers additional space on Market Street again this year," co-ordinator general Marg Prendergast said earlier in December.
"We're really excited to be opening up the Market Street intersection to shoppers as this is going to join up with the reopened George Street area and really give everyone a chance to see the CBD in a new light."
Amy Birrell, one of thousands to visit Pitt Street on Tuesday, said the whole thing "was really full on". She said the trucks were an "eyesore", but like many shoppers, navigating crowds took precedent.
"I had no idea what they were for," Ms Birrell said.
Boxing Day: Concrete barriers have been placed at both ends of Pitt Street Mall as shoppers begin taking part in the end of year sales. Report on 7 News at 6pm. #BoxingDay #7News pic.twitter.com/g8LtzAW8Tz??? 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 25, 2017
Major centres in Sydney opened their doors as early as 7am on Tuesday, including Pitt Street Mall in the city, and Westfield centres at Parramatta and Bondi Junction. Others such as Macquarie Centre dared only wait an extra hour, opening up shop at 8am.
Myer and David Jones stores in the city opened at 5am, with some people even giving up their Christmas evening in pursuit of a good sale, as queues were spotted outside stores as early as Monday night.
Australians are expected to spend $2.36 billion on Boxing Day in a 3 per cent increase from 2016, according to the National Retail Association.
